The Public Diplomacy (PD) Section at the U.S. Embassy in Harare announces an open competition for local NGOs and institutions to submit applications to carry out low to medium cost initiatives that leverage partnerships with American institutions to improve and promote adherence to international best practice in implementing fundamental freedom of speech and the press freedom and to promote press freedom in one of the three categories outlined in the Program Objectives provided below. Program Objectives: 1. Strengthening public understanding of freedom of speech and press freedom: The objective is to improve and promote adherence to international best practice in implementing fundamental freedom of speech and press freedom. The PD Section will support new or existing initiatives to invigorate local communities with ideas, information, questions, and discourse around freedom of speech and journalism. Proposals may center on events, panel discussions, campaigns, outreach efforts, educational initiatives, workshops, media outlet partnerships, and other formats that can be effective in building local understanding of these core freedoms. Priority will be given to proposals that integrate awareness and understanding of American culture, media, society, history and/or current events, as well as of shared American-Zimbabwean values and interests. Activities should have the potential to reach a significant and diverse audience, engage and sustain that audience over time, and facilitate partnership with U.S.-based groups and organizations. 2. Media Literacy to Combat Disinformation: The program will work to increase public resilience to disinformation and misinformation campaigns. Successful proposals will include ideas to increase public understanding of, and to push back against, disinformation and misinformation activities. Activities and work funded with this award may include (but should not be limited to): · Investigative reporting; · Public debates and moderated discussions; and/or · Digital engagements We encourage new and creative approaches that use digital technology, social media, and other innovative means. Successful proposals will emphasize the ability to deliver clear messages to key audiences: Women, youth, policy makers, opinion leaders and other clearly defined sectors. The PD Section will favorably note proposals that aim to establish partnerships with American universities or colleges to include media literacy or consumption as parts of existing curricula or to otherwise augment relevant discussions at college education level. A program goal should be to encourage fact-checking and responsible media consumption using learned skills or available resources and platforms. 3. Media Sustainability, Innovation and Professionalization: The PD Section will accept proposals from organizations that seek to assist emerging news organizations- online and offline- develop and adopt business plans or strategies and diversify revenue to ensure their survival in challenging economic times. Initiatives should help news outlets harness the power of digital tools as well as community resources to create sustainable media businesses that provide news and information in the public interest. The PD Section will also accept proposals from organizations that seek to support exposure, collaboration among professionals among journalism community in new ways of gathering information, tell stories and engage audiences in the areas of health, human rights, agriculture/ STEM, and Peace and Conflict resolution. Programs should enhance news coverage and enable these organizations to embrace or expand ways of gathering and disseminating information as well as connect more deeply with their audiences. The ultimate goal is to increase the flow of reliable news and information to the Zimbabwean public. Program Goals: The goal of this program is to strengthen ties between the United States and Zimbabwe’s journalism and media institutions to: 1. Increase public awareness of international best practices in fundamental freedom of speech and a free press. 2. Increase public resilience to disinformation and misinformation campaigns through expanding or increasing outlets for sharing verified information to the public. 3. Develop the institutional networks that result in greater competitiveness and sustainability of independent media outlets through ethical and innovative approaches to generating income and professional partnerships. 4. Support independent news and information media outlets (broadcast, online, and print) that are committed to factual, objective and thorough reporting of identified issues including but not limited to Health, Entrepreneurship, Human Rights and Labor, Peace and Conflict resolution, Green Energy, Cyber Security, and Anticorruption. 5. Support innovative approaches to using technology, including alternative delivery platforms, to more effectively inform Zimbabwean audiences. Key outcomes include, but not limited to, the ability of news outlets to cover or investigate previously challenging assignments, reach more audiences, and journalists are better informed on selected subjects; expand access to local and international sources of information. NOTE: For program proposals that include elements of in-person travel between Zimbabwe and the United States, or other international locations, travel should not be planned until September 2022 at the earliest. All program proposals, including those with exchange components, should include flexibility in planning to adjust given the constantly evolving global and local restrictions related to COVID-19. All program proposals must strengthen ties and build networks between the United States and Zimbabwe and must have a strong, central, American element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s (separate and beyond any involvement with the U.S. Mission or its American Corners or U.S. government exchange program alumni), and have as a primary goal the promotion of increased understanding of U.S. values, perspectives, and policies and relationship building between Americans and Zimbabweans. Participants and Audiences: Proposals must engage with Zimbabwean media institutions or media workers as well as audiences. Disinformation programs can target women, youth, policy makers, opinion leaders and other clearly defined sectors. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. To Request Application Package: Email
[email protected]; an automatic reply with the Application forms will be sent. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. Content of Application Please ensure: · The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity. · All documents are in English. · All budgets are in U.S. dollars. The following documents required: 1. Mandatory application forms · SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) at the U.S. Embassy Harare website · SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at the U.S. Embassy Harare website · SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) at the U.S. Embassy Harare website (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov) Application details: · Name of the organization. · Title of the project. · Contact details (name, address, email, phone number, cell number) of the point of contact for the project and the legal representative of the organization. · Description of organization capacity (maximum one page): A description of past and present operations, showing the ability to carry out the program. · Previous grants (U.S. government and other sources). · Project Justification/Needs Statement: Clear, concise, and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed. · Project Goals: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. These should be achievable and measurable. · Project Objectives: The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable. · Project Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. · Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant? · Key Personnel: who will work on this project? · Calendar of proposed activities: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events. · Report plan: All projects must submit a minimum of one final narrative/descriptive report and a financial report. Depending on the length of the project, more reports may be requested. All reports must be written in English. 2. SAM registration: Organizations must have an active SAM registration. If your organization does not have a registration or it has expired, please visit: SAM.gov 3. Budget with Budget Narrative/Justification: Applicants must submit the complete budget template and description, including unit costs, quantities, and any other relevant information that may impact the total cost of the project. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1. Criteria: Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below. a. Purpose and Impact: The proposal should explain why this project is important to the university community, clearly identify audiences, reflect the diversity, and address the goals of this proposal. b. Completeness and achievable objectives: Objectives should be realistic. Proposals should demonstrate how the activities will meet the project’s objectives. c. Clear planning: The proposed project should be well designed and provide a work plan with specific details, including clear project activities, a timeline, and a monitoring plan. d. Monitoring and Evaluation: The project should be monitored and evaluated Other Submission Requirements All application materials must be submitted by email to:
[email protected] If you are unable to email your application, please deliver your application to: U. S. Embassy Harare Attn: Public Diplomacy Grants 2 Lorraine Drive Bluffhill Harare, Zimbabwe Submission deadline is April 3, 2022