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Program Objectives: The objectives of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Support Program 2022 are the following: · Mainstreaming gender in TVET – integrating gender perspective in all policy planning, implementation, and evaluation activities at all levels. · Increasing the participation of female students in formerly male-dominated TVET programs and promoting formerly nontraditional TVET programs to both, female and male students to overcome discriminatory cultural norms and community practices so that women and men benefit equally from the same opportunities. · Strengthening the capacity of TVET providers to overcome gender disparity in student recruitment and retention. · Developing systematic vocational counselling and career guidance from school to higher education level for all learners, jobseekers, and alumni, for better informed career decisions and higher access to labor market. The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi will accept projects proposed and managed by Georgian TVET institutions that support the above listed objectives. Length of performance period: up to 2 years Anticipated project start date: September 1, 2022

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:The U.S. Embassy Tbilisi of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to support vulnerable communities and promote peace, civic integration of people with disabilities, inclusion of ethnic and religious minorities, diversity, and participation. Please follow all instructions below. Priority Region: Priority will be given to regions with conflict affected population, and areas with large community of ethnic and religious minorities. Program Objectives: The Vulnerable Communities Engagement Program promotes peace, conflict resolution, civic engagement, and social inclusion between communities that do not often work together. This includes activities promoting peace and conflict resolution between people from different countries and regions in the Caucuses, but can also include Georgia’s ethnic and religious minorities, people with disabilities, populations in rural areas, and communities along the ABLs. Participants and Audiences: · Conflict affected communities · People with disabilities · Ethnic and religious minorities · Other underserved communities. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Application Submission: June 8, 2022 - July 15, 2022. Length of performance period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less Number of awards anticipated: up to ten (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $50,000 Total available funding: $150,000 Type of Funding: 19.900 Economic Support Funds under the Foreign Assistance Act/PDS of the U.S. Embassy Tbilisi reserves the right to use FY22 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds to support selected projects. Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2022 Funding Instrument Type: Grant, grant to individuals, fixed amount award, or cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. 1. Eligible Applicants · Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations · Public and private educational institutions · USG Alumni . Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions All application materials must be submitted by email to Tbilisigrants@state.gov no later than July 15, 2022 11:59 p.m. Georgia Standard Time Please include the funding opportunity number in the subject line. The application package must be archived only into ZIP archive. RAR archived packages will not be accepted. Emails exceeding 6MB and RAR/ZIP files will not be accepted. If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: TbilisiGrants@state.gov Please include the funding opportunity number in the subject line. Note: Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff — both in the Department and at embassies overseas — may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed. The U.S. Embassy Tbilisi Public Diplomacy Section will not be providing individual feedback on proposals received and reasons for rejection.

The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia encourages U.S. organizations to apply for the Television Cooperative Program (TV Co-Op) for a Georgian television company to be identified/confirmed by the Public Diplomacy Section to film feature stories under the generic working title Benefits of Game-Based Learning and Use of Animation in Education - specifically in language learning and mastering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Applicants must have a demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing assignments/contracts related to designing, planning and carrying-out short-term filming tours for foreign/non-American television crews in the United States. The TV Co-Op assignments envisage an American producer facilitate location scouting and shoots, identifying relevant interviewees, taping interviews, B-roll shoots and all the necessary logistical support for a Georgian TV crew. PDS expects the selected Georgian TV crew to produce three 10-minute feature stories or a short documentary back in Georgia to be placed on-air of the crew’s parent company during primetime. The Grantee is expected to coordinate the travel arrangements, other logistics, the U.S. domestic travel itinerary, shooting plan and line-up of interviews with the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia. A PDS staffer will escort the crew and provide interpretation as necessary. The tour should also support professional development of Georgian journalists. The grantee will achieve the goal through robust professional filming tour at U.S. gaming and animation production companies, the U.S. Department of Education, game arcades, schools and other educational institutions that use gaming and animation as a tool of teaching/learning. Filming at a game jam is also recommended given such (or a similar event) coincides in time with the TV Co-Op tour in the U.S. The applicant should work closely with PDS throughout the grant period to implement the TV Co-Op to highlight American experience in game-based learning and the use of animation in formal and informal education reflected in the final cut of a television product for Georgina viewers. The project will award $50,000 to defray the costs of three-week intensive filming tour for two Georgian participants – a reporter and a cameraman. Applicants should include provisions that facilitate filming at different locations and interviews in the United States. A PDS staffer will escort the crew and provide interpretation as necessary.

BACKGROUND AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:The Levan Mikeladze Diplomatic Training and Research Institute is Georgian Foreign Ministry’s only institution dedicated to capacity building in human resources. It has a status of the Legal Entity of the Public Law, which gives it flexibility in attracting outside resources for improving its performance and helping the foreign ministry in a crucial field of training of young diplomats. In recent years, the Diplomatic Institute delivered on its promise in a few key areas, including more active and consistent training of diplomatic staff, public outreach (with significant attention to US and partner countries’ participation), analytical work, improved public relations, etc. The Institute contributed to a more vibrant environment in the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia as well.The Institute has proved to be a reliable and effective partner with U.S. Embassy Tbilisi. Given that developing of economic and commercial relations with the United States and other Western partners has been a declared priority for Georgian Government in recent years, the Institute indicated an intention to make enhancement of its economic and commercial tradecraft a priority. What the Institute lacks is consistency in its curriculum development, particularly in the field of economic and commercial diplomacy. Economic and commercial diplomacy is crucial for Georgia’s foreign relations in terms of attracting badly needed international investments and is recognized as a priority by the Georgian Government. However, there seem to be challenges in both teaching current diplomats’ economic and commercial tradecraft fundamentals.This assistance project is aimed at addressing these issues through assisting the Institute in establishing proper curriculum and training its teaching staff and trainees in economic and commercial tradecraft. Connecting the Institute with US training institutions including those of the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and/ or the U.S. Department of Commerce will be a good way in meeting the Institute’s challenges, by improving the skills and accumulating knowledge by Georgian diplomats, as well as in advancing Georgia’s economic and commercial ties abroad. PROJECT GOAL:1) Improving the capacity of the Levan Mikeladze Diplomatic Training and Research Institute to develop and provide training to Georgian diplomats in understanding international economic and commercial relations, reaching out to foreign/ host nation audiences, and executing adequate advocacy2) Strengthen and advance US–Georgia Relations through economic and commercial diplomacy OBJECTIVES:1) Designing and developing curriculum(s) in economic and commercial diplomacy and tradecraft for junior, mid-career, and senior diplomats.· Enrich knowledge of economic concepts and gain solid awareness of guidelines for commercial advocacy· Investment promotion fundamentals, branding and image building· Set up and manage effective trade promotion programs and assist foreign firms in market access· Build negotiation skills – effective communication, networking, public speaking and presentation skills for successful economic diplomacy· Enhancing skills in carrying out economic analysis, market evaluation, and reporting as well as more general analytical writing skills on economic and trade issues.· Provide training on:o Bilateral investment treatieso Intellectual property protectiono U.S. Government tools to facilitate investment/development (DFC, EXIM, USAID, etc.)o USTR and trade policyo Importance of investment screening mechanisms· Review U.S. tools like investment climate statements and country commercial guides.· Strengthen the understanding of broader economic entities such as the World Trade Organization· Designing communication strategies and increasing understanding between the diplomats and the private sector 2) Sharing experience and assistance in elaboration of online training capacities· Online courses for overseas-based in-service diplomats· production of short video clips on main concepts of economic diplomacy 3) Conduct the training of trainers (ToT) for Georgian experts aimed at ensuring sustainability of efforts undertaken through “Diplomatic Training in Economic Statecraft” project. 4) Elaboration of Exchange Study Programs· The proposal may include a brief (up to a week) study tour of the ToT graduates to relevant US institutions for further professional enrichment.· US Guest Speaker/s on Political and Economic Tradecraft (seminars by career ambassadors and other professional diplomats who have served in various countries over several decades.) EXPECTED RESULTS:· The Diplomatic Institute will develop resources for their economic and commercial statecraft curriculum, in the fields of economic and commercial diplomacy and adjacent fields.· Georgian diplomats will have better skills to develop economic ties with foreign nations’ economic and commercial entities.· Georgian diplomats will be better equipped for their missions to attract investments from overseas.· The Institute, and the rest of the foreign ministry (and the government at large) will have a proper understanding of its training perspective for training in economic diplomacy.· Current and future Georgian diplomats, regardless of their country of destination, will have a better understanding and stronger ties with U.S. diplomatic, economic, and academic/analytical community for future synergies.· Georgian diplomatic community will be better exposed to U.S. perspectives on international economic and trade issues.· Georgian perspective on liberal international order will gain more supporters through exposure to U.S. influence.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia (Embassy Tbilisi), in collaboration with the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), is pleased to welcome proposals for projects via the Julia Taft Refugee Fund from potential partners working in the area of refugee protection in Georgia. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Program Objectives The U.S. Department of State’s Julia Taft Refugee Fund responds to critical gaps in refugee assistance by funding durable solutions to the problems refugees and other displaced persons face. The intent of this initiative is to provide U.S. ambassadors with the means to respond to critical gaps that have not been addressed in larger multilateral refugee programs. The Taft Fund is intended for projects that include a target beneficiary base of at least 50 percent refugees, internally displaced persons, or returned refugees. PRM is also interested in supporting projects to prevent and resolve statelessness and seeks to support local organizations to support equal access to protection, assistance, and other solutions for LGBTQI+ refugees and stateless persons. Consideration for support is also given to projects that benefit both populations of concern and their host communities. The Julia Taft Refugee Fund is not meant as an emergency fund.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION U.S. Embassy Tbilisi announces an open competition for Democracy Commission Small Grants Program (DemCom). The United States initiated in 1994 as a flexible mechanism to enable embassies to support local democratic initiatives in the countries of Central, Eastern Europe, and the post-Soviet States.The implementing body at each mission is the Democracy Commission, chaired by the Deputy Chief of Mission and including the Public Affairs Officer, Cultural Affairs Officer, other members of the Country Team, and representatives of U.S. Government agencies. Program Objectives: The purpose of the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program is to award grants for specific projects that support democracy, enhance the development of democratic institutions and foster education of civil society in Georgia. Grants will be awarded to non-governmental, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and media organizations based and registered in Georgia.The maximum amount of a grant is $50,000 per project.

The Embassy of the United States in Tbilisi announces an open competition for past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2023 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2023). We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni that meet all program eligibility requirements below. Exchange alumni interested in participating in AEIF 2023 should submit proposals to TbilisiGrants@state.gov with the subject line AEIF 2023 by February 24, 2023, 18:00. A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AEIF provides alumni of U.S. sponsored and facilitated exchange programs with funding to expand on skills gained during their exchange experience to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded nearly 500 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global competition. This year, AEIF 2023 will support the United States’ commitment to Georgia’s further integration with the West as a more democratic and stable country. US Embassy Tbilisi will accept public service projects proposed and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni that support themes such as: ● Exposure to American culture and shared values, particularly for those in regions; ● Strengthen economic prosperity, promote innovation, foster entrepreneurship, and improve the digital economy; ● Reinforce democratic values; ● Community integration, inclusion, and tolerance-building; ● Skills building for women, youth, and people with disabilities; ● Supporting de-occupation and reconciliation; ● Projects that support cultural preservation in rural areas or in marginalized communities. AEIF projects must address at least one of the following: ● Bring alumni together from different exchange programs to build or expand an alumni network capable of working together on common interests and increase regional and global collaboration of alumni. ● Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities that address mutual goals and challenges. ● Support alumni as they develop their leadership capacity and implement projects in their communities. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Funding Opportunity Title: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2023) Funding Opportunity Number: DOS-GEO-23-002-01092023 Announcement posted: January 9, 2023 Closing date for applications: February 24, 2023, 18:00. Funding type: Grant. Fixed Amount Award. Cooperative Agreement. Expected size of individual awards: Between $5,000 to $35,000. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months timeframe or less. Expected start of the project should be September, 2023.

1. Cost Sharing or Matching The program requires 50% cost-share. Cost-share might come from the applicant organization or other sources. In case of co-funding from other organization, an approval letter from the relevant organization is required (indicating amount and category of expenses). 2. Other Requirements Minimum print-run required is 1,000 (smaller print-run considered per terms of the individual project). Textbooks and academic literature should be the latest editions. The grant recipient is responsible for requesting permission from the copyright holder. Applicant should start negotiation with the copyright holder before submission of proposal and present copy of communication or draft of the contract with other requested documents. After selection as a finalist, the applicant is required to present a copy of the copyright agreement signed by both parties. Each applicant can submit up to five (5) proposals per call. Organization can submit projects on both deadlines, but same proposals cannot be re-submitted on the second call of the same year. Eligible works should be previously unpublished in Georgian. Publications should be translated from the original language. In joint projects letters of support from project partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner are required. Post-publication book promoting activities are required, e.g. book launching event and presentation, book readings and discussions, social media campaigns, contests, etc. Cooperating on the activities with American Spaces in regions is highly recommended.

The U.S. Embassy Tbilisi announces an open competition for Georgian USG alumni for activities that support Georgia’s democratic development and Western integration. Grant proposals must support projects that address a tangible need in a community and have measurable outcomes. Applicants may develop partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including the public and/or private sector as well as local organizations, where applicable. Please note that basic education proposals should focus on strengthening public schools for grades 1-12 through teacher training and professional development or innovative programs for students including school libraries, science and language labs, and enrichment programs. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months timeframe or less. Expected start of the project should be 4 month after the program deadline. This notice is subject to availability of funding. Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. Content of Application Please ensure: • The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity • All documents are in English • All budgets are in U.S. dollars • All pages are numbered • All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and • All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins. The following documents are required: 1. Mandatory application forms • SF424I (Application for Federal Assistance – Individuals) • SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) • SF424B (Assurances – Non-Construction Programs) • Completed Alumni Application Form 2023. • CVs of applying alumni and the key personnel. • Letters of support from project partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner (if applicable) • Official permission letters, if required for project activities. Instructions (both in English and Georgian) for mandatory forms are available to download from the website with other documents. SF424 forms do not open in any internet browsers (chrome, internet explorer...). Please make sure to download the forms on your device, open via Adobe and click ‘enable all features’. RAR and ZIP files will not be accepted. If the size of the email exceeds 6MB, please make sure to send the required documents into separate emails. If two proposals are submitted, all mandatory documents need to be filled our separately for each project and be sent as separate packages. Funding Restrictions: Alumni Program does not support the following activities or costs, and the selection committee will deem applications involving any of these activities or costs ineligible: · Administrative staff salaries, office space, and operational expenses exceeding 30% of total requested amount. These types of costs are allowable only as they relate to specific project activities and are in accordance with grant guidelines. Salary or honoraria should be listed according to rate of pay and percentage of time spent on program-related activities. While salary expenses are permissible for indigenous personnel, payment of honoraria and other expenses for foreign experts will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. · Construction programs · Alcohol or entertainment (e.g. hiring DJ for closing ceremony) · “Contingency” or “miscellaneous” costs · Charitable or the provision of direct social services to a population · Support or opposition of political activity · Programs that support specific religious activities · Fund-raising campaigns · Venture capital, for-profit endeavors, or charging a fee for participation in the project · Individual scholarships · Personal development · Programs that duplicate existing programs · Food expenses exceeding 10% of total requested amount. When these costs cannot be supported by cost share, they should be clearly justified and limited to a maximum of 10 percent of the total award amount. This includes expenses associated with individual per diems for grant-related activities. Other Submission Requirements: Please submit your project proposals via electronic mail at TbilisiGrants@state.gov and include the program name (Alumni Program) in the subject line.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Tbilisi Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Cultural Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Purpose of Small Grants: PDS Tbilisi invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Georgia 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. Examples of PDS Cultural Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to: · Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs; · Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions; · Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs; · Professional and academic exchanges and programs; Priority Program Areas: · Strengthening democracy, culture, institutions, values, and civil society through arts, particularly with a U.S. connection, in the regions of Georgia · Community-based cultural (heritage) preservation projects, or projects to support community engagement around or with Georgia’s cultural heritage · International Festivals held in Georgia to foster closer U.S.- Georgian ties and share U.S. culture. · Sporting events and exchanges to foster closer U.S.- Georgian ties through sports, promote inclusive sports, foster healthy living, or advance other shared priorities. Participants and Audiences: The U.S. Embassy seeks geographically and demographically diverse audiences within the country and prioritizes proposals with a significant programming component outside of the capital. The Embassy encourages projects to focus on engaging youth, women and girls, seniors, people with disabilities, regions with ethnic and religious minority communities, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) 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. Length of performance period: up to 12 months Number of awards anticipated: 15 awards (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $24,000 Total available funding: $250,000 Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2023 Public Diplomacy Funding Anticipated program start date: four to six months after submission deadline