U.S. EMBASSY LA PAZ PD ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT

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THIS NOTICE IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy La Paz, Public Diplomacy (PD) Section 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. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Purpose of Small Grants: PD La Paz invites proposals for programs that strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and Bolivia through cultural, educational, professional and scientific exchanges that highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an U.S. cultural element, or connection with U.S. expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. The PD Small Grants Program projects may include, but is not limited to: - Lectures, seminars, and speaker programs; - Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions; - Cultural heritage conservation and preservation projects; - Professional, cultural or academic exchanges and projects (including virtual exchanges with U.S. experts or communities); - Professional development workshops and training. Priority Funding Areas: The Grants Program seeks to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United States and Bolivia by awarding grants to non-profit organizations and individuals for projects that address the following priority areas: Support Bolivia’s Diversified Economy Projects that support Bolivia’s inclusive growth in the social, economic, cultural and educational sectors. Projects that promote entrepreneurship, business management, and participation in the formal economy and financial system among vulnerable, rural or marginalized populations. Projects that promote English language education in Bolivia as a tool to improve access to opportunities for Bolivian youth and marginalized communities and promote inclusive economic growth. Advance Gender Equality Projects that promote opportunities for equal representation for women and girls in a variety of fields. Prevent or Counter Gender-Based-Violence Projects that seek to mitigate gender-based violence and empower survivors of human trafficking, sexual trauma, and/or domestic violence. Proposals may include people of all genders and sexual orientations. Build Civil Society’s Capacity to Address Climate Change and Sustainably Manage Bolivia’s Natural Resources Projects aimed at supporting Bolivian communities’ efforts to combat illegal mining; to prevent human, wildlife and antiquities trafficking; to slow the effects of climate change and reduce environmental spillage or pollution. Support Freedom of Speech and the Press Projects related to freedom of the press that improve the quality of investigative journalism and transparency and enhance accountability and freedom of expression. Projects that seek to improve media literacy and enhance public capacity to recognize disinformation. Strengthen U.S.-Bolivian Partnerships Through Public Diplomacy Programs Projects that strengthen lasting partnerships between citizens of the United States and Bolivia, especially outside major urban areas. Projects that support educational exchange, the internationalization of higher education, and U.S.-Bolivia partnerships in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) among Bolivian youth. Priority will be given to projects that encourage social development and help reduce inequality, especially among marginalized populations. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: · Programs relating to partisan political activity; · Requests by organizations and individuals who are neither Bolivian nor American; · Charitable, humanitarian, social welfare, or development activities; · Construction projects; · Programs that support specific religious activities; · International travel, unless specifically justified within the project and in line with the Fly America Act (see more at https://www/gsa/gov/policy-regulations/policy/travel-management-policy/fly-america-act ); · Trade activities; · Fund-raising campaigns; · Commercial projects; · 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. Although on rare occasions PD does fund the travel of U.S. experts who are participating in conferences in Bolivia, such programs must be part of wider public programming coordinated with the U.S. Embassy, rather than limited to the presentation of scientific or academic research or participation in a single conference or event. NOTE: · Proposals will be considered and funded on a rolling basis until the final July 31 st , 2025 deadline. · Prospective grantees will typically receive a decision within 90 days, or as funds become available. · The time required to finalize an award and disburse funds after a proposal is selected for funding ranges from 1 to 3 months. Applicants are, therefore, encouraged to apply 4 to 6 months before the start date of the proposed activity. II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 2 to 24 months Number of awards anticipated: 15 awards Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 (*) to a maximum of $40,000 (*) (*) Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2025 Public Diplomacy Funding Funding Instrument Type: Grants, Grants to Individuals, Fixed Amount Awards, or Cooperative Agreements. Cooperative Agreements are different from grants in that PD staff are more actively involved in proposal execution and anticipate having moderate to substantial involvement once the award has been made. III. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants: The U.S. Embassy La Paz Public Diplomacy Section encourages applications from U.S. or Bolivian citizens and/or organizations, including: · Registered public and private non-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience · Individuals Non-profit or governmental educational institutions Governmental institutions For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing is not required but is encouraged. When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements: In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov . A valid registration on www.SAM.gov is strongly encouraged as well. Please see Section C.2 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. IV. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS The U.S. Embassy La Paz Public Diplomacy Section will accept proposals throughout the year and will review proposals as funding becomes available. Once the U.S. Embassy confirms receipt of the proposal via e-mail correspondence, the review and selection process may take up to three months. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals as early as possible prior to the proposed activity start date. Content and Form of Application Submission: Please see the complete APS in the link provided