Gaining Insight Into Voter Narratives with Country-Wide Polling Exercise and Traditional and Social Media Baseline Survey

Please see attached Funding Opportunity for details and application information. This notice is subject to availability of funds. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Gaborone of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program which will create a country-wide polling exercise and a comprehensive traditional and social media baseline survey, allowing for better insight into current issues related to the 2024 election process throughout Botswana. Program Objectives: This project will assess Botswana’s political participation by addressing the lack of political polling and a media baseline survey. The project will carry out a series of polls throughout Botswana, allowing access to much-needed data on some of the major concerns affecting the election process including youth apathy, the lack of women in government positions, as well as gain insight into how the influence of foreign entities in traditional and social media has influenced voters opinions. The proposed project includes the following activities: Develop and execute a substantial polling initiative to take place in Botswana’s largest youth population areas, including Gaborone, Maun, Francistown, Kasane, Palapye, Mahalapye, Serowe, Lobatse, Goodhope, Ghanzi, Jwaneng, Tsabong and Nata – leading up to Botswana’s national election in October 2024. Conduct a methodologically sound media baseline survey (inclusive of digital and social media) involving Batswana around the country representing different ages, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Provide a media baseline survey report on Batswana media consumption habits (inclusive of digital and social media), and which media outlets are the most influential to various demographics in various areas of the country. Publish a report at the conclusion of the grant outlining the work done to fulfill these objectives and provide statistical feedback on Batswana’s views on issues of national importance that the Embassy has identified ahead of time.