U.S. Embassy Libya’s Public Affairs Office (PAO) is pleased to announce that funding is available through the Public Diplomacy Grant Program for projects up to $25,000 USD. Projects for a greater value will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Grants are intended for committed and organized civil-society organizations, local representatives of civil society, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, cultural institutions, and academic institutions. All grantees must have a non-profit status.
The objectives of the Public Diplomacy Grant Program are to promote national unity and reconciliation across Libya and enhance mutual understanding between the people of Libya and the United States to reinforce shared values. The U.S. Embassy to Libya is seeking projects that:
- Enhance press freedom, freedom of expression, media literacy, transparency, get-out-the-vote, and/or national unity and reconciliation.
- Promote leadership, positive community engagement, volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and soft skills development among youth, women and disadvantaged groups.
- Increase Libyan youth capabilities to help them explore and develop technological solutions for social problems through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) programs.
- Capitalize on arts initiatives to increase unity, social cohesion, and reconciliation that deepen Libyan national identity with activities that are consistent with U.S. values.
Note: Alumni of U.S. Government funded exchange programs are encouraged to apply. Initiatives that support diversity and inclusion of minority groups and link with U.S. universities or organizations are also welcome.
Activities that are typically funded include, but are not limited to:
- Journalism and/or social media training and programming in support of the above Program objectives; Youth engagement, leadership, and education programs;
- Workshops, seminars, trainings, and master classes on American themes or issues of mutual interest mentioned in the above goals of the Program;
- Cultural programs that target youth and underserved communities;
- Programs that reinforce and amplify lessons learned by Libyan Alumni of State Department-funded exchange programs.
Program activities should be adaptable so that they may be conducted despite constraints caused by Covid.
Activities that are not typically funded include, but are not limited to:
- Fees and travel costs to attend conferences in the United States,
- Ongoing salary costs and office equipment,
- Paying to complete activities begun with other funds,
- Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single party electoral campaigns,
- Social welfare projects,
- Political party activities,
- Projects that support specific religious activities,
- Trade activities; fundraising campaigns; commercial projects; scientific research; construction projects; projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization itself.
Virtual U.S. Experts
The Public Affairs Office will also support U.S. citizen experts to present virtually to Libyan audiences in support of the above Program objectives. The costs may include honorarium, and technical support. In the request, please provide its description (organizer, topics, goals and objectives, audience, other sponsors and other expected speakers and participants).
Project and Budget Periods: Projects generally must be completed in one year or less.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
The Public Affairs Office encourages applications from all sectors: committed and organized civil-society organizations, local representatives of civil society, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, cultural institutions, academic institutions, and individuals. All grantees must have a non-profit status.
We seek proposals for geographically and demographically diverse audiences within Libya. U.S. NGOs and individuals may apply, but preference is given to Libyan NGOs or to partnerships that develop capacity with Libyan NGOs and include plans to transfer programs to sustainable local management in Libya.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application Deadlines
Applications will be reviewed on the following dates:
Round 1: April 15, 2021
Round 2: July 15, 2021
Round 3: November 1, 2021
Round 4: February 1, 2022
Round 5: April 15, 2022
Round 6: July 15, 2022
Round 7: November 1, 2022
Proposal Format
To apply, please complete these forms in English: CLICK HERE for the Project Narrative and the Budget Proposal and submit together in electronic format to TripoliPAO@state.gov.
Applicants are also welcome to provide a brief summary of the proposed project in Arabic addition to the English application. An organization may submit only one application per application deadline. All applicants will receive automatic confirmation of receipt of proposals. All information must be received by the dates above. Proposals will not be considered until all information is received.
REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
Announcing Winners
The Public Affairs Office seeks to notify applicants of funding decisions within six weeks following an application deadline. The timing of approvals is, however, subject to the availability of funds.
Please note: Funding for approved proposals will not be available immediately. The allocation of funds can take up to two months once all award paperwork has been completed. Applicants should, therefore, submit proposals well in advance of the intended project start date.
Review
Grant applications will be reviewed by the Public Affairs Office’s Grant Committee. Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the following criteria:
- The project’s ability to promote national unity and reconciliation as well as civic engagement;
- Strength of U.S. component/content;
- The degree to which the proposed project addresses one or more of the objectives of the Public Diplomacy Grant Program, as outlined above;
- Its ability to engage youth audiences or strengthen the ability of established community leaders to engage youth audiences;
- The extent to which it will create new ties between U.S. and Libyan universities or peer institutions, develop new connections between Americans and Libyans, or present American culture and society in an innovative manner;
- Strength of outreach and social media component; and
- Promotion of diversity and acceptance of minority groups, including persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged communities.
Applicants selected for further consideration will receive official written notification and detailed information on the process of finalizing grant awards. Applicants selected for further consideration must provide official copies of all registrations outlined in the eligibility requirements. Failure to provide these documents will result in disqualification.
Grant awards are contingent upon availability of U.S. Government funds and the signing of official grant documents. Verbal or other informal communications cannot be considered official notification of an award, and applicants may not obligate expenses for a proposed project until all required administrative procedures have been completed.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
All awards require both program and financial reports on a frequency specified in the award agreement. The disbursement of funds may be tied to submission of these reports in a timely manner. All other details related to award administration will be specified in the award agreement.
INQUIRIES
All questions about the Public Diplomacy Grants Program should be addressed to TripoliPAO@state.gov.
