A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Public Diplomacy (PD) section of the U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe under the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for programs for creative entrepreneurs to realize their full economic potential and build connections with their U.S. counterparts. The PD section invites proposals from non-profit organizations, civil society organizations, and U.S. government alumni to design and implement a creative entrepreneurship program that increases the use of digital technology, improves business acumen, and celebrates cultural heritage, identity and diversity. The program should expand opportunities to develop institutional capacity, promote financial sustainability of creative and cultural organizations; and build networks of independent creative and cultural organizations to make the sector more profitable for its diverse members. A compulsory component of all program proposals is to build ties and relationships between the United States and Zimbabwe. Proposals and must have a strong, central, American element, or connection with American expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s) (separate from involvement with the U.S. Mission or its American Corners). The partnerships should be mutually beneficial and reinforcing. Opportunities for engagement and partnerships can be virtual or physical. The PD section will support new or existing initiatives. Confirmed partners are not compulsory at the application stage; however, applicants must describe how the U.S. component will enhance the program. Indications of targeted artists and partners are sufficient for shortlisting. Theory of Change: If the Zimbabwean creative community increases use of digital technologies and e-commerce, builds networks with U.S. creative enterprises, and equips practitioners with skills and knowledge, they would be better positioned to build a professional and financially sustainable creative industry. This program supports the U.S. Department of State’s Public Diplomacy efforts to build a more stable, inclusive economy for the Zimbabwe creative industry. Program Objectives: All proposals must meet the following objectives: · facilitate the development of Zimbabwe’s creative economy in terms of sustainability, inclusion, and professionalism. · Strengthen collaboration and build networks between Zimbabwe and U.S. creative enterprises with an emphasis on long-term relationships and sustainability. Partnerships should facilitate creation of content that attracts and retains significant and diverse audiences in an equitable manner between Zimbabwe and the United States. Proposals can also include the following deliverables: · Increased use of digital technologies and e-commerce platforms in the creative and cultural industries. The PD section encourages initiatives that harness a range of digital technologies in creation, production and distribution of the arts. · Safeguard and celebrate cultural heritage, identity and diversity including addressing intellectual property rights. The PD Section encourages projects that profile and promote defined elements of Zimbabwean and American communities’ cultural heritage. · Equip participants with skills and knowledge to build sustainable creative businesses including business planning, scaling up, exploring U.S. business models, and networking. Projects should contribute to increasing the sustainability of local level creative economies. · Share information about how to organize and manage international artistic tours, including requirements for U.S. tours, with monetary, logistical, and partnership elements covered. For program proposals that include elements of in-person travel between Zimbabwe and the United States, or other international locations, travel should include flexibility in planning to adjust given the constantly evolving global and local restrictions related to COVID-19. Participants and Audiences: Proposals must engage with Zimbabwean creative and cultural organizations as well as audiences. Programs can promote inclusivity by targeting women, youth, people living with disabilities, and rural communities. Successful projects will facilitate U.S. and Zimbabwean citizen participation in the cultural life of their community. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 12-18 months from date of award. Number of awards anticipated: 2 awards Award amounts: US$25,000 Total available funding: $50,000 Type of Funding: 2023 Public Diplomacy Funds – Smith-Mundt Anticipated program start date: July 2023 Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Award Amount or Cooperative Agreement THIS NOTICE IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants: The following organizations are eligible to apply: Zimbabwean or U.S. media organizations, civil society, academic institutions, and non- governmental organizations. *For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply. 2. Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required but encouraged. 3. Registration: In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. To Request Application Package: Email
[email protected]; an automatic reply with the application forms will be sent. Forms are also available at www.grants.gov 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Content of Application – the proposal should: · Clearly serve the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity; · Be specific and concise in describing the who, what, why, when, where, how and cost aspects of the project; · Provide all documents in English; and · Include a budget narrative and a budget table in U.S. dollars breaking down costs per unit rates, quantities as well as totals. Application Forms required: (in the Application Package) · Completed application (form attached) · Detailed projected budget (form attached) · SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance – Individuals) · SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) · SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) Attachments · Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner · If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file. If you do not have a NICRA, indirect and overhead costs can’t be over 10% of the budget. · Official permission letters, if required for program activities. 3. Required Registrations: All organizations (not individuals) applying for grants must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge: · www.SAM.gov registration which will generate a unique entity identifier (UEI) · NCAGE/CAGE code 4. Submission Dates and Times PD Harare will accept proposals starting November 1, 2022. All applicants should submit their proposals prior to January 31, 2023 for consideration. 5. Other Submission Requirements All application materials may be emailed to
[email protected] (with “EAZCI Grant Proposal” in the subject line). E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION Review and Selection Process Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis by the Public Diplomacy Grants Committee on the technical and substantive criteria above, depending on availability of funds. Organizations whose applications are not selected for funding will be notified via email no later than September 30, 2023. All qualified proposals will remain on file for up to 12 months for the committee for consideration at any time, if funds become available. If you wish to receive an update on the status of your proposal, please email
[email protected] with the Subject line: “Request for Update on my Submitted Proposal [Title/Date of submission].” F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION Administrative and U.S. National Policy Requirements Terms and Conditions: Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply. These include: · 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at: https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm. · Note the U.S. Flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions. Reporting Requirements Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. Reports will include an accounting for expenditure of amounts already received before the next tranche of funds can be released. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted. G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PD Harare at
[email protected] . Note: Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff — both in the Department and at embassies overseas — may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed.