Funding Wizard

The U.S. Embassy Kampala 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 to focus on Media Literacy and Counter Disinformation activities. This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity outlining a funding priority and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Proposals that do not align with stated objectives and project outcomes will not be considered for funding. The objective of this specific funding opportunity is to improve media literacy, reduce vulnerability to misinformation and disinformation, and/or raise awareness about the importance of media literacy and fact checking. Proposed projects will work with an audience of established professionals aged 25 to 50.

The U.S. Embassy Kampala 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. This is an Annual Program Statement outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Objectives and Project Outcomes:The objectives of the Public Diplomacy Grant Program are to promote understanding and foster positive relations between the people of Uganda and the United States; reinforce shared values on the topics listed below; and connect high potential Ugandan youth and young professionals (aged 16 to 35) as well as established professional leaders to the American people. 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.

A. PROJECT DESCRIPTIONThe U.S. Embassy Kampala Small Grants Office announces an open competition for registered organizations interested in submitting applications for the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program, which supports small-scale, community-based initiatives that promote self-reliance, foster development, and promise an immediate and dramatic effect on local communities. Projects should also include significant community contributions in cash, labor, or materials. The SSH philosophy is to help communities to help themselves. For the SSH Program in 2023, U.S. Embassy Kampala will prioritize projects that focus on micro-infrastructure that will benefit the greatest number of people in rural communities. All applications will be accepted, but priority will be given to those applications that meet the aforementioned criteria.B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATIONU.S. Embassy Kampala expects to have approximately $50,000 available to support five to eight organizations, subject to the availability of funding. Grants are typically between $2,000 and $10,000 per project. Project proposals should include a period of performance starting after September 2023 and concluding by September 2024. The SSH Program receives hundreds of funding applications each year. All submissions are reviewed in a competitive and transparent manner. Given the limited funding available through the SSH Program, the U.S. Embassy can only fund a few projects each year. Those projects that are short-listed will be contacted with additional details. All other projects will receive a form letter response via email. Unfortunately, detailed feedback for unsuccessful applicants will not be available. Please download NOFO and related documents under the Related Documents Tab.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Mission in Uganda’s Public Affairs Office is pleased to announce an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a training program for emerging community leaders 19 – 24 years of age from across Uganda focused on youth development and civic engagement. This award is intended for committed and organized civil-society organizations, local representatives of civil society, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, cultural institutions, and academic institutions. Awards to individuals will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. All grantees must have a non-profit status. Notice: For Fiscal Year 2021 all proposals submitted in response to this NOFO must include a contingency plan describing in detail how the proposed activity would be implemented in the event that COVID-19 related health restrictions are in place during the anticipated period of performance. Objectives and Project Outcomes: The objectives of this project are to build participants’ leadership skills and self-confidence; enhance their organizational and project management skills; to promote or enhance their community engagement and ability to positively impact other youths; and to strengthen ties between emerging Ugandan leaders 19 – 24 years of age and the U.S. Mission in Uganda. Outcomes: Training design: Preparation and design of a series of engaging, interactive trainings targeting emerging community leaders. The program should include a minimum of 40 training hours. Trainings should focus on topics such as leadership, project design and management, teambuilding, communication and presentation skills, effective youth engagement strategies, and fundraising/advocacy. Conditions permitting, in person or hybrid (in person and virtual) training models are preferred but applicants should demonstrate the capacity to conduct a 100% virtual program if necessary due to COVID-19 conditions. Participant recruitment and selection: Advertisement and promotion of the training opportunity; development of a competitive selection process based on established participant criteria. Program coordination and logistics: Identification and selection of appropriate training venue(s), effective communication with project participants concerning training logistics and requirements; coordination of lodging, transport, meals and other logistics related to trainings. Selection of trainers, experts, and guest speakers: In conjunction with the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Mission in Uganda, identify and select expert trainers and guest speakers to deliver engaging, interactive, and inspiring content to participants. Engagement with the United States: Provide opportunities for project participants to improve their understanding of American society and values through engagements with representatives of the U.S. Mission in Uganda, private U.S. citizen trainers and experts, and Ugandans who have prior U.S. experience (through work, study, or participation in U.S. government exchange programs). Build skills and self-confidence: Provide participants with tangible skills to encourage their civic participation; make them more effective community leaders; improve their future employability; and increase their self-confidence and resilience. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 12 months Number of awards anticipated: 1 Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $20,000 to a maximum of $35,000 Total available funds: $35,000 Type of Funding: FY21 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated Program Start Date: November 2021 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement U.S. Government Role and Responsibilities As any award resulting from this NOFO will be a cooperative agreement, the project will have significant involvement from the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Mission in Uganda. U.S. Government responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: In conjunction with awardee, develop and provide final approval for participant selection criteria Participate in the final selection process for project participants Review and approval the project training plan Identify personnel from the U.S. Mission in Uganda to serve as presenters, guest speakers, or workshop presenters, as appropriate Help identify U.S. citizens and/or Ugandans with prior academic, professional, or exchange program experience in the United States to serve as trainers, experts, or guest speakers during training sessions Help promote the project during the recruitment and implementation phases