Funding Wizard

The Embassy of the United States in North Macedonia announces an open competition for organizations/independent media to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out a program (or programs) that support the development of democratic institutions. The FY 2023 program has five priority areas: 1) rule of law and government accountability; 2) citizen participation; 3) cybersecurity and disinformation; 4) youth development and women empowerment; and 5) environmental protection. The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise one-page statement of interest designed to clearly communicate the program idea, audience, activities, locations, and objectives. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application. Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program idea(s) by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decisions are made.

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) administers an Alumni Outreach Program which aims to expand outreach to alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs. Projects must be initiated by alumni of U.S. government exchange programs. The program will provide small grants to alumni associations to support round-table discussions, workshops, and community service projects that encourage networking and activism in fields that promote democratic advancement across the political spectrum, digitalization processes and economic reform. These grants serve as one-time opportunities to support alumni in their efforts to launch projects that build on their participation in exchange programs. Projects should be designed to be sustainable after the performance period is over.

The Embassy of the United States in North Macedonia 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 SkopjeGrants@state.gov by January 12, 2023. A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AEIF provides alumni of U.S. government-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, the U.S. Embassy will accept public service projects proposed by local USG Alumni organizations and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni which directly support the Embassy’s goals and foreign policy objectives, promote shared interests, and benefit local communities. Team members are expected to address a specific theme such as: · Reinforcing democratic values; · Promoting rule of law and anti-corruption; · Increasing social cohesion among ethnic and political groups and regional partners; · Empowering youth, women, and other marginalized groups; · Countering disinformation; and · Fostering ties between North Macedonia and U.S.A. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Announcement posted: November 28, 2022 Closing date for applications: January 12, 2023. Funding type: Small grant awards Decision date: no later than July 15, 2023. Expected size of individual awards: Between $5,000 to $35,000. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in twelve (12) months or less. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants: Non-for-profit originations meeting the following criteria are eligible to apply: · Organization is from North Macedonia. · Applications must be submitted by alumni associations of USG exchange alumni. Other not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions are not eligible to apply, but can serve as partners for implementing project activities. · Applicant key staff/ project teams must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (https://alumni.state.gov/list-exchange-programs) or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program (https://j1visa.state.gov/). · Projects teams must include at least two (2) alumni. · Alumni who are U.S. citizens may not participate as primary applicants but may participate as team members in a project. · Alumni teams may be comprised of alumni from different exchange programs and different countries. 2. Cost Sharing Inclusion of cost share is not a requirement of this opportunity. 3. Grant Program Area: Proposals must address “Strengthen North Macedonia’s democracy and implementation of reforms to improve its reliability and capability as a U.S. partner.” Proposals that do not address the theme as outlined in the program objectives will be deemed ineligible. All project activities must take place in North Macedonia. 4. Other Eligibility Requirements The organization must have a UEI, as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Organizations must have a commitment to equal opportunity employment practices and to non-discrimination practices with regard to beneficiaries, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announce an open competition for organizations to submit applications for funding through the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) to carry out an individual project to preserve cultural heritage in a specific priority country. Issuance of this funding opportunity does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government. Full implementation of this program is subject to the availability of funds. Please follow all instructions below. Program Objectives: The Department of State established the AFCP at the request of Congress in Conference Report 106-1005 accompanying H.R. 4942 (October 26, 2000). The Senate report on this bill noted that the preservation of cultural heritage “offers an opportunity to show a different American face to other countries, one that is non-commercial, non-political, and non-military.” The AFCP Grants Program supports the preservation of archaeological sites, historic buildings and monuments, museum collections, and forms of traditional cultural expression, such as indigenous languages and crafts. Appropriate project activities may include: · Anastylosis (reassembling a site from its original parts) · Conservation (addressing damage or deterioration to an object or site) · Consolidation (connecting or reconnecting elements of an object or site) · Documentation (recording in analog or digital format the condition and salient features of · an object, site, or tradition) · Inventory (listing of objects, sites, or traditions by location, feature, age, or other unifying · characteristic or state) · Preventive Conservation (addressing conditions that threaten or damage a site, object, · collection, or tradition) · Restoration (replacing missing elements to recreate the original appearance of an object · or site, usually appropriate only with fine arts, decorative arts, and historic buildings) · Stabilization (reducing the physical disturbance of an object or site) B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of Performance Period: 12 to 60 months Number of Awards Anticipated: 30-40 awards per year worldwide (dependent on amounts) Award Amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $500,000 Total Available Funding: $6 million per year (estimated) Type of Funding: Diplomatic Programs Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated Project Start Date: Varies by project This notice is subject to availability of funds and an approved congressional spend plan. Funding Instrument Type: Grant. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 60 months or less. The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION Eligible Applicants: The following organizations are eligible to apply: · Institution of Higher Education from North Macedonia · Non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO) from North Macedonia · Public Entity from North Macedonia · U.S. Non-Profit Organization (501(c)(3)) · U.S. Institution of Higher Education Cost Sharing or Matching: There is no minimum or maximum percentage of cost participation required for this competition. When an applicant offers cost sharing, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its application and later included in an approved agreement. The applicant will be responsible for tracking and reporting on any cost share or outside funding, which is subject to audit per 2 CFR 200. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. Other Eligibility Requirements: The AFCP further defines eligible applicants as reputable and accountable entities that are able to demonstrate that they have the requisite capacity and permission to manage projects to preserve cultural heritage in the specified country. In order to be eligible to receive an award, all entities must have a valid and active registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for information on how to obtain this registration.

PAS Skopje invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and North Macedonia 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 PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to: · Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs; · Programs that support culture and the arts, including mutual appreciation of artistic work from both countries; · Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions; · Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs; · Professional and academic exchanges and programs; · Programs focused on entrepreneurship and innovation; · Programs focused on diversity and empowerment of youth and underserved communities; · Programs focused on democratic processes and values; · Programs focused on gender issues; · Programs focused on human and equal rights; · Programs focused on media literacy; · Programs focused on strengthening resiliency against disinformation; and malign influence; · Programs focused on environment protection; and · Programs that support North Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration process. Priority Program Areas: The objectives of the Public Diplomacy Grant Program are to promote positive relations between North Macedonia and the United States; to reinforce shared values; and to connect North Macedonia’s emerging leaders to the American people. We fund projects that: • Help North Macedonia’s youth build and develop skills to improve their potential through innovative science (especially environmental and health awareness), technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) programs, as well as through entrepreneurship programs and vocational training. • Focus on educating youth and publics about current environmental issues, including crafting creative solutions to environmental challenges, green energy initiatives and energy conservation, climate change adaptation strategies, as well as action plans to deal with water scarcity exacerbated by climate change and urbanization. • Encourage North Macedonia’s youth to participate in civic life through social entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community engagement. • Strengthen understanding of U.S. values and institutions; highlight US culture, including American Studies, English language teaching/learning, and study in the United States; as well as support diversity through the acceptance of minority groups, including individuals with special needs or handicapping conditions, and other areas of mutual interest. Participants and Audiences: US Mission North Macedonia encourages not only diverse applicants to apply to our grants programs but would also like to see diverse target audiences and trainers. Diversity can be defined by different geographic regions, ethnicities, religious orientations, gender, physical disabilities including visual, hearing, speech, and other physically handicapping conditions. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: · Printing or promotion of books or manuscripts · Travel to the United States for professional development · Ongoing salary costs and office equipment · Paying to complete activities that were begun with other funds · Promotion of local arts scenes · Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single-party electoral campaigns · Political party activities · Fundraising campaigns · Commercial or trade activities · Individual travel to conferences and meetings · Social welfare projects · Projects that support religious activities · Scientific research · Construction projects · Projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization itself.

The U.S. Embassy Skopje Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out its U.S. Speakers’ Program. The Speakers’ Program brings dynamic U.S. citizen experts to North Macedonia to engage professional and student audiences throughout the country on topics of strategic importance to the United States and North Macedonia. Specifically, the program seeks to engage local audiences on rule of law reforms; judicial independence; government accountability and transparency; modern journalism practices; combating disinformation; cybersecurity; climate and security issues; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and advancing women’s economic empowerment through the shared knowledge, expertise, and know-how of U.S. experts. The program also seeks to establish concrete networking and contact-building opportunities among U.S. experts and local audiences. Programs may take place in person or virtually (note: due to COVID travel restrictions, all applications should include a plan for virtual engagement). We highly recommend potential applicants to collaborate and coordinate with project partners in North Macedonia in order to implement the requested programs successfully. We expect to select one program implementer for a grant award of up to $30,000. U.S. Speakers address strategic policy priorities identified by U.S. Embassy Skopje. The U.S. Speakers’ Program promotes an understanding of U.S. policies and institutions as well as the political, economic, and social context from which they arise. Speakers can be programmed with a variety of professional audiences in a wide range of disciplines. In this regard, the U.S. Speakers’ Program intends to support the overall PAS outreach strategy, which focuses on two defined audiences: established leaders and emerging leaders. For more details on the program target audience and their definitions, see below under the “Participants and Audiences” subheading. Priority Region: North Macedonia Program Objectives: Potential applicants should propose detailed specific, measurable, achievable, and relevant (SMART) project objectives for their proposed programs. Potential applicants should develop outcome-based objectives that incorporate measurable outcome indicators and propose methods to measure them. The selected applicant is expected to suggest a minimum of three appropriate speakers to PAS on particular topics, and also to respond to speaker requests recommended by PAS. Please note that PAS will make the final decision about the selection of speakers and the selection of audience. Within the estimated budget, proposals should seek to meet the following goal: Objective 1: Within one year from the grant start date, conduct between three to five U.S. speaker programs on priority topics listed in the program Description section, not excluding priority topics from emerging current events. The number of U.S. speaker programs may be higher if they are conducted virtually. · The U.S. Speaker Program for North Macedonia supports both traveling and virtual speakers, and a combination of both. Proposals should clearly state whether organizations are requesting to conduct traveling or virtual speaker programs or a combination of both. Every effort should be made to conduct the program in person, but if, due to circumstances beyond the organization’s control, a majority of programs are virtual, then the organizer should consider increasing the number of programs offered. o Traveling Programs: Speaker/expert travels to North Macedonia to present lectures, serve as consultants, or conduct workshops and seminars for appropriate audiences as identified and arranged by the requesting organization. Organizations may request a single speaker or, funding permitting, a series of speakers to conduct targeted strategic programs. Programs can take place in one city, or in multiple cities in North Macedonia depending on the target audience. · Use of Funds Related to the Speaker Programs The implementing organization (grantee) shall use award funds to pay for, among other logistical necessities: o The speakers’ international travel to and from North Macedonia o The speakers’ domestic travel within North Macedonia o Hotel and accommodations for the speakers in North Macedonia o Venue costs o Interpretation costs Virtual Programs: Speaker/expert engages foreign audiences in real time through virtual platforms. U.S. Speakers for virtual programs may conduct the program remotely from a location in or outside the U.S. Virtual engagements may be customized to be point-to-point, multi-point interactions, or some combination thereof, depending on the nature and location of the audience. Consider the time difference when arranging for a virtual program. · Charging for U.S. Speaker Events A U.S. Speaker program is not a profit-making opportunity. Grantees are prohibited from charging fees for speaker events or using them as fundraisers for charitable organizations. · Fly America Act Restrictions and other flight arrangements: All Federal Government-financed international air transportation for the U.S. speakers must be accomplished by U.S. Flag air carriers or U.S. code sharing to the extent that service by those carriers is available. For information on other “open skies” agreements in which the United States has entered, please refer to GSA’s website at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/103191. Therefore, consider these restrictions when estimating your speaker’s) travel arrangements. · Media Engagement Plan Applicants should propose a clear media plan in their proposal. This plan should include how the organization plans to promote the project, how and how often they plan to share project experiences, activities, and public media appearances with the embassy’s PAS. Applicants should also detail their willingness to work regularly with the U.S. Embassy to shape and amplify their public messaging through the U.S. Embassy’s public engagement platforms. Participants and Audiences: Emerging leaders in business, technology, education, government, and public administration. They include entrepreneurs and social activists, journalists, teachers, researchers, and civil servants in government positions who have been identified as rising stars. Established leaders include public figures at the top of their industry (e.g., innovators, tech leaders, academics, researchers, media members, journalists, business owners, government workers, and politicians), and alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs, who can influence society and policy. All programs must engage North Macedonia’s audiences. All programs must include a U.S. element or connection with U.S. experts that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Programs may take place in person or virtually (note: due to current COVID travel restrictions, all applications should include a plan for virtual engagement). If you apply from outside of North Macedonia, we highly recommend potential applicants to collaborate and coordinate with project partners in North Macedonia to implement requested programs successfully. The applicant should budget for interpretation and translation.

The U.S. Embassy Skopje’s Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for non-profit/non-governmental organizations to submit media program proposals that strengthen media by increasing journalistic professionalism and diminishing the negative impact of disinformation. The media training program should be tailored for young journalists from The Republic of North Macedonia. Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing media training programs is required. A broad pool of media contacts and established relationships with potential media trainers/coaches will be considered favorably. Training sessions should be in-person, with virtual or in-person speakers from North Macedonia, the region and the United States who are experts on the given topic of the session. Possible speakers include, but are not limited to, alumni of U.S. government-sponsored media programs in North Macedonia. The grantee is expected to plan and implement a capstone element at the end of the program, that can include but is not limited to, a visit to U.S. newsroom(s) for most successful program participant(s), depending on availability of funding. The program timeline will be developed in coordination with the U.S. Embassy Skopje. Proposals must demonstrate a commitment towards the support and inclusion of marginalized communities (including disability status, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, whether they live in a rural or urban setting, etc.). Proposals from U.S. institutions should identify potential local sub-grantees. Priority Region: North Macedonia Program Objectives: Potential applicants should propose detailed specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) project objectives for their proposed programs. Potential applicants should develop outcome-based objectives that incorporate measurable outcome indicators and propose methods to measure them. Within the estimated budget, proposals should seek to meet the following goals: · Increase the availability of innovative, modern, independent news content · Promote professional journalism standards, particularly fact-based and fact-checked reporting · Introduce participants to innovative data-driven journalism that spotlights underreported issues · Build skills to identify and prevent distribution of disinformation by analyzing challenges and opportunities created by new media · Utilize case studies and hands-on experiences with journalists to encourage critical analysis and train them to become fluent storytellers · Educate participants to adapt to the current media environment by exposing them to digital tools and digital security. Participants and Audiences: Program participants should include young journalists, students of journalism and bloggers.

The U.S. Embassy Skopje Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Alumni Outreach Program. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Awards will be made to successful applicants subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Program Objectives: The Public Affairs Section (PAS) at U.S. Embassy Skopje, North Macedonia, administers an Alumni Outreach Program to support projects initiated by alumni of U.S. government exchange programs. Awards may be granted up to $25,000. These grants serve as one-time opportunities to support alumni in their efforts to launch projects that build on their participation in exchange programs. Projects should be designed to be sustainable after the performance period is over. All alumni grant proposals should demonstrate the following: · How the proposed activities develop and share the skills and expertise the alumni gained in the United States within their own communities. · How the proposed activities continue the purpose or theme of the alumni’s program. · How the project benefits other citizens of North Macedonia. Alumni proposals may be submitted by a single alumna or alumnus or by a group of alumni who propose to work together on a project. Illustrative activities: round-table discussions, workshops, and community service projects that promote economic reform and democratic advancement through networking and activism among alumni across the political spectrum. Please use innovative approach when developing your project proposals. The selection is very competitive and being creative and unique will be key to success. Participants and Audiences: Proposals should describe both the primary and secondary audiences for the program, including numbers anticipated to be reached. Primary audiences are those who will participate directly in the program, while secondary audiences are those who will be reached by the project’s primary audiences as a result of their participation. For example, in a teacher training program, the primary audience would be the teachers who will be trained, while the secondary audience would be their students. Audiences who are considered a priority for grants funded under this NOFO are: Youth and young adult leaders between 13 and 30 years old. Community leaders and local officials Teachers and academic professionals Please note that proposals addressing audiences not listed above can still be eligible, but such proposals must clearly indicate why addressing the proposed audience is especially important to achieving the goals stated in this NOFO.