The U.S. Embassy Paramaribo Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is accepting applications for the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.
Purpose of Small Grants
PAS Paramaribo invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Suriname, including cultural and exchange programs that highlight shared values and promote 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, culture, and perspectives.
Priority Program Areas In Order of Priority
Climate change and environmental education – Efforts that seek to connect with U.S. expertise to further efforts that promote environmentalism in Suriname and those that expand efforts to preserve and protect Suriname’s biodiversity.
Supporting a free and expressive media environment – Programs that strengthen the professionalism of the media and advance media literacy within the population.
Academic exchange – Exchanges and programs designed to increase college and university professional linkages between the U.S. and Suriname, especially with community colleges and technical schools.
Artistic exchange — Cultural performances, artistic workshops, trainings, and exhibitions that highlight the deep and ongoing ties between our two nations and our shared democratic values.
Alumni development — Efforts supporting, led by, supporting, or involving the Suriname American Alumni Association, its members, or alumni of U.S. exchange programs.
Women’s economic empowerment programs – Including programs focused on the mentorship of women entrepreneurs and efforts supporting women’s increased participation in civil society.
Trade and investment development — Efforts leading to increased bi-lateral trade and investment ties by developing greater fiscal transparency, enhancing the rule of law, protecting intellectual property rights, and promotion of sustainable development.
Efforts advancing diversity, equality, inclusion, and accessibility for all marginalized communities, including but not limited to issues involving ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical disabilities, and/or indigenous communities.
Entrepreneurship and innovation — Efforts that promote sustainable economic policies, especially those inclusive of historically economically disadvantaged populations.
Cyber security — Efforts to strengthen cybersecurity awareness within the general population, advance cybersecurity planning, and develop the local talent pool in the field.
Funding Information
Public Affairs Section will consider proposals up to $15,000, projects that are smaller in scope are more likely to be awarded. Most grants selected are between $5,000 and $10,000. In very rare circumstances, applications above $15,000 will be evaluated.
Eligible Activities
Activities that are typically funded include, but are not limited to:
bringing an American expert, speaker, trainer, or performer to Suriname;
conferences on American themes or issues of mutual interest;
exhibitions of works by Americans or on American themes;
youth empowerment, leadership, and education programs reflecting the priority areas;
cultural programs, particularly those that target underserved or at-risk communities;
radio, television, and social media programming in support of the above objectives.
Ineligible Activities
Activities that are not typically funded include, but are not limited to:
ongoing salary costs;
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;
citizen exchange programs with foreign countries;
social welfare projects;
political party activities;
projects that support specific religious activities;
scientific research;
fundraising campaigns;
commercial projects;
trade activities; and
projects aimed primarily at the institutional development of the organization.
Note on COVID Prevention Protocols: Grantees will be required to follow all pandemic prevention protocols when conducting their programs. This could require re-scheduling or delaying a program. Proposals are encouraged to explain any preventative measures that might mitigate COVID’s impact on the proposal, for example moving in-person training to virtual as needed.
Eligibility Criteria
The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S. and Surinamese:
Registered not-for-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.
