Entrepreneurship in Creative Industries

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine – Kyiv Public Diplomacy Section Notice of Funding Opportunity Funding Opportunity Title: Entrepreneurship in Creative Industries. Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-Ukraine-FY24-10. Deadline for Applications: 23:59 EST, July 31, 2024. Assistance Listing Number: 19.040. Total Amount Available: $150,000.00. This notice is subject to funding availability. A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for Ukrainian and U.S. registered non-profit, non-governmental organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to support entrepreneurship in creative industries. This funding opportunity will help promote business dialogue between the United States and Ukraine and foster innovation to strengthen social sustainable development and economic growth. Priority Region: Ukraine Program Objectives: The U.S. Embassy Kyiv Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) invites Ukrainian and U.S. registered non-profit, non-governmental organizations to apply for funding to support entrepreneurship in creative industries as a dominant social and economic power in the times of crisis. The project should enhance creative business development processes through entrepreneurial approaches, contributing to the overall growth and sustainability of the creative industries. The project should feature U.S. – Ukraine collaboration and facilitate networking in creative industries. Applicants are expected to showcase established connections with counterparts in either the U.S. or Ukraine, and to demonstrate active engagement from both sides in the proposed program. It is essential that the program is collaboratively developed and confirmed by both U.S. and Ukrainian counterparts ensuring mutual participation and commitment to the initiative. The proposed project should empower creative industries to adopt entrepreneurial practices through its activities designed to: · Foster the development and implementation of collaborative and innovative projects across diverse creative domains, including culinary arts, food and wine. entrepreneurship, urban revitalization, game design, virtual reality, sustainable fashion, and beyond. · Promote and increase innovations and leverage technology for advancement in creative industries. · Empower representatives from the creative industries with entrepreneurial skills and assist them in developing and implementing effective go-to-market strategies for both financial profitability and social impact within the creative sector. · Establish connections between creative industries and business, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. · Facilitate collaboration, networking, and partnerships within and across creative industries in USA and Ukraine. · Provide access to domestic and US markets for creative products and services, leading to increased exports and economic growth. · Utilize investment opportunities in Ukraine to attract capital, resources, and technology to the country. Funding priorities are: · Strengthen U.S.-Ukraine business relations and cultivate a better business environment. · Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in creative industries. · Supporting innovation and technological change in creative industries as a comparative advantage in business development. · Support entrepreneurship creative industries as a dominant social and economic power. · Expanding cultural and business ties between Ukraine and the United States. Collaborative, sustained projects that include innovative elements are preferred, as are projects that target less frequently engaged regions of Ukraine. Applicants must demonstrate their capacity for conducting both in-person and virtual events, providing expertise on innovative and technology topics, reaching youth audiences, and working in a multi-stakeholder environment with Ukrainian and U.S. partners. Applicants must demonstrate how the project drives social cohesion, sustainable development and economic growth, and bring long-term social and economic benefits, especially to local communities. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: · Projects in performing arts, exhibitions, film screenings. · Programs related to partisan political activity. · Charitable and fundraising activities. · Construction. · Programs that support religious activities. · Lobbying for specific legislation or programs. · Scientific research. · Programs that duplicate existing programs. Participants and Audiences: The project must be tailored towards Ukrainian audiences, and most project activities supported by the U.S. Embassy grant should take place in Ukraine and incorporate a substantive U.S. component. This program can target youth, entrepreneurs, government, private, and non-profit stakeholders throughout Ukraine and the United States to spur innovation, raise awareness, and ensure sustainability. Taking into consideration current limitations related to bringing Americans to Ukraine, the project can include virtual interaction between participants and stakeholders. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: up to twelve months. This timeframe should include time for preparation and wrap-up. Number of awards anticipated: 3-5 awards (dependent on amounts.) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $15,000 to a maximum of $55,000.00. Total available funding: $150,000.00. Type of Funding: FY24 Public Diplomacy Funds. Anticipated start date: projects should start between October 1, 2024, and June 1, 2025. This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant, fixed amount award (FAA), or cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”). Examples of substantial involvement may include, but are not limited to: · Approving speakers/experts for a program. · Approving courses, trainings. · Selecting or approving participants. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. For additional information please see attached NOFO.