Deadline: 30 April 2019

The U.S. Embassy Dushanbe Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State has announced that funding is available through the Embassy’s Democracy Commission Small Grants Program.

This program supports the development of Tajikistan’s democratic institutions and civil society by competitively awarding small grants to Tajik nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and associations, to nonprofit civil society organizations (CSOs), and to independent local media organizations.

Priority Themes

• Economic/social empowerment and entrepreneurship, particularly for women, youth and vulnerable population to advance economic independence and sustainable development. (commercial activity or specific businesses/startups will not be considered).
• Countering violent extremism through promoting pluralism and tolerance, creating alternative socio-economic opportunities for groups at risk, and working with media to advance peaceful discourse.
• Promoting environmental awareness by creating government and citizen understanding of sustainable management of ecosystems and natural resources.
• Free flow of information through the development of independent and professional journalism.

Funding Information

• Floor of Individual Award Amounts: $10,000
• Ceiling of Individual Award Amounts: $50,000
• Anticipated period of performance: 9-12 months

Eligibility Criteria

• The Public Affairs Section administers the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program. This program supports the development of Tajikistan’s democratic institutions and civil society by competitively awarding small grants to Tajik nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and associations, to nonprofit civil society organizations (CSOs), and to independent local media organizations. State bodies are encouraged to work with NGOs to submit applications.
• American or other donor country organizations or individuals are not eligible for grants under this program. Current Democracy Commission grant recipients may not apply for funding; open grants must be closed before new applications can be considered. The maximum grant award is $50,000, though the average grant award is less than $25,000.
• Previous grant experience should be documented in the organization’s proposal. A copy of the organizations registration should be provided with the proposal application. Organizations should submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government organization.
• Cost Sharing or Matching: Inclusion of cost share is not a requirement of this opportunity.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted at the address given on the website.

For more information, please visit https://tj.usembassy.gov/embassy/dushanbe/grant-programs/democracy-commission/