The U.S. Embassy Burkina Faso Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.
PDS Burkina Faso invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Burkina Faso through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
Priority Program Areas
Programs to bolster understanding and practices of Democracy, Human Rights, and Good Governance. This may include projects that encourage participation in civil society, especially for women, religious minorities, and youth.
Programs that seek to promote a better understanding of diversity, inclusion, religious freedom, gender rights, persons with disabilities, underrepresented or otherwise disadvantaged communities, and/or other aspects of human rights.
Creative programs that advance one or more of the priority areas listed above, to include but not be limited to, economic empowerment, youth development, peace and security.
Programs promoting English language capacity through projects that encourage the usage and learning of English language as a tool for civic and economic development.
Programs that increase transparency, media professionalism, access to diverse new sources, media literacy, etc. Projects may develop the capacity of Burkinabe media, a tradition of fact-checking and research for journalists and/or media consumers, capitalize on social media use for greater transparency, and/or expand such programs beyond the capital and secondary cities.
Funding Information
Total available funding: $300,000 (pending funding availability)
Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $1000 to a maximum of $25,000 (exceptional proposals above $25,000 may be considered pending availability of funding)
Length of performance period: up to 12 months
Number of awards anticipated: 10 awards (dependent on amounts)
Ineligible Programs
The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:
Programs relating to partisan political activity;
Charitable or development activities;
Construction programs;
Programs that support specific religious activities;
Fund-raising campaigns;
Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
Scientific research;
Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or
Programs that duplicate existing programs;
Profit-generating projects;
Participants and Audiences
PDS Burkina Faso’s target audiences include national and regional media; NGOs and think tanks; underserved communities; universities; government officials (state, district, and municipal officials; policy makers; civil servants); cultural and educational leaders; next generation leaders (e.g., innovators, digital influencers, campus leaders). All proposals should focus on engaging Burkinabe in Burkina Faso. Proposals will be evaluated based on a well-reasoned strategy for the intended audience, as well as appropriate inclusivity, whether based on gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible entities include:
Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience;
Individuals;
Non-profit or governmental educational institutions;
Governmental institutions.
For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
Other Eligibility Requirements
Applicants may submit only one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be ineligible for funding.
