Description
Purpose of Grants: PD Poland invites proposals for programs that strengthen ties between the United States and Poland through activities that highlight shared values, promote bilateral cooperation, and forge enduring connections between the United States and emerging Polish leaders (high school students, university students, and young professionals ages 16 to 35), as well as established community leaders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. All proposals are required to have a clear connection to the United States, either through U.S. organizations, experts, and/or best practices in order to increase the awareness and understanding of U.S. perspectives, policies, and society. Proposals without significant U.S. content will not be considered for funding. Examples of possible public diplomacy grant activities include, but are not limited to: Youth engagement programs. Participatory and/or problem-solving workshops like “tech camps.” Soft skills and leadership-building workshops, seminars, and trainings that develop human capital and social or economic innovation. · Workshops, seminars, trainings, master classes, and exhibitions on themes or topics that advance shared democracy, economic, and security goals. · Programs that reinforce and amplify lessons learned by Polish alumni of U.S. Government-funded and private sector exchange programs. Priority Program Areas: ECONOMIC PROSPERITY · Addressing barriers to the advancement of women in STEM fields and business. · Strengthening the business skills of young entrepreneurs. · Sharing best practices of U.S. businesses operating in Poland. · Promoting the development of trade and investment with the United States, including entrepreneurship, small- and medium-sized businesses, and innovation as the basis for strong, sustainable, inclusive economic growth that creates quality employment and incorporates diverse and excluded groups. · Promoting joint Polish-U.S. science, space, and innovation initiatives carried out by research organizations, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and private companies. ENSURING SECURITY · Demonstrating the benefits of the of the Polish-U.S. security partnership and NATO Alliance for Polish emerging leaders (high school and university students ages 15-25 and/or young professionals ages 25-34). Promoting a deeper understanding of the impact of Polish and U.S. political, military, and humanitarian support for Ukraine and for Ukrainians in Poland. · Strengthen cyber security awareness. STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY Leadership training fostering innovation and critical thinking among young people (ages 16 to 24). Strengthening media practitioners’ and media consumers’ media literacy and ability to detect and combat mis/disinformation. Promoting Holocaust education and/or human rights education. Participants and Audiences: Proposals should describe both the primary and secondary audiences for the program, including anticipated numbers to be reached. Primary audiences are those who will participate directly in the program, while secondary audiences are those who will be reached by the project’s primary audiences as a result of their participation. Priority target audiences in Poland for this funding opportunity are youth and young professionals (aged 16 to 35) who have demonstrated strong leadership potential, established professionals engaged in fields relevant to the U.S.-Polish partnership, and community leaders. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: Programs relating to partisan political activity; Charitable, clinical (including mental health services), or development activities; Construction programs; Programs that support specific religious activities; Fund-raising campaigns; Lobbying for specific legislation or programs; Academic or scientific research; Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; and Individual travel to attend a conference and/or courses at any educational institution. This funding opportunity aims to support specific projects with objectives that can be achieved within a set timeframe. We will not accept applications that are aimed more broadly at supporting your organization’s usual or typical daily activities and operations. Those will be deemed technically ineligible and will not be considered for funding by the review committee.