Building Interfaith Bridges

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This project will use arts, sports, team-building, and/or other creative means to build bridges between members of different faith communities in Kenya.  More specifically, the project will connect participants through in-person and digital exchanges, activities, and dialogue. These individuals should comprise at least 200 participants from a mix of genders, backgrounds, and ages, and no one faith community should make up more than two-thirds of the participants.  The priority regions for this project are Nairobi,northeastern Kenya, and the Kenyan coast. The project supports the Embassy’s strategic goal of strengthening resilience in at-risk populations and supporting peace.  Program proposals should include using U.S.Embassy-supported American Spaces libraries with meeting spaces and Internet in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Lamu as well as U.S. exchange program alumni.  Ideal partners include organizations that use innovative methods to promote tolerance and diversity, religious leaders who mentor vulnerable populations, and NGOs who work across interfaith communities. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to design and implement an innovative program to build bridges between members of different faiths in Kenya.  Proposals must include a local media outreach component as well as two interfaith Iftars during Ramadan in 2019: one in Garissa and one in Mombasa. Priority Region: Nairobi, northeastern Kenya, and Kenyan coast Program Objectives: The project implementers will identify participants from different faiths, connect them creatively, and help them build bridges between their communities. The objectives of their activities will include: 1) Engage the target audience to connect through creative methods including arts, sports,team-building, and/or activities. 2)    Organize trainings to promote peace building and diversity. 3)    Connect audiences through quarterly teleconferences or virtual engagement sessions in American Spaces in Kenya. 4)    Organize two interfaith Iftars, including U.S. Embassy representative participation,during Ramadan in 2019:one in Garissa and one in Mombasa. 5)   Develop awareness campaigns, including local media, as well as activities within communities to promote religious tolerance and diversity. Participants and Audiences: The target audiences should include at least 200 individuals from a mix of genders,backgrounds, and ages.  The priority regions for this project are Nairobi,northeastern Kenya, and the Kenyan coast.  No one faith community should make up more than two-thirds of the participants.

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