Supporting collaborative projects and/or presenting American content at Ukrainian cultural festivals

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine Kyiv Public Diplomacy Section Notice of Funding Opportunity Funding Opportunity Title: Supporting collaborative projects and/or presenting American content at Ukrainian cultural festivals. Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-Ukraine-FY24-11. Deadline for Applications: 23:59, EST July 31, 2024. Assistance Listing Number: 19.040. Total Amount Available: $100,000.00. This notice is subject to funding availability. A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to introduce collaborative projects and/or presenting American content at Ukrainian cultural festivals. Priority Region: Ukraine. Program Objectives: The U.S. Embassy Kyiv Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) invites Ukrainian nongovernmental organizations to apply for funding to highlight and promote American culture and values through presenting collaborative projects and/or American content at Ukrainian cultural festivals. For the purposes of this solicitation, a cultural festival is an organized series of acts, performances, exhibitions, film screenings, or culinary displays. The activities can include workshops, masterclasses, Q sessions, or other types of interactions between participants. Cultural festival could be focused on performing arts, music, culinary arts, fashion, gaming, urbanism etc. In addition, PDS Kyiv will prioritize projects that facilitate substantive interaction between Americans and Ukrainians preferably over multiple days and that demonstrate plans to sustain this interaction through follow-on activities. Examples of substantive interaction include workshops, masterclasses, and question-and-answer sessions. Examples of follow-on activities include small grants for joint projects between Americans and Ukrainians, continuations of projects started during the festival or conference, and virtual engagements. Projects funded through this solicitation must be tailored toward Ukrainian audiences and fit within the theme of the broader event. Applying organizations must demonstrate a clear rationale for how they chose to highlight American culture and values, relating their strategy to the priority areas outlined above. In addition, applying organizations should be prepared to explain how the Americans or aspects of American culture and values involved in their program are uniquely qualified to advance these objectives. Funding priorities are: Strengthening U.S.-Ukraine cultural relations. Introducing American content to Ukrainian audiences. Promoting collaboration between American and Ukrainians artists and audiences. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: Programs related to partisan political activity. Charitable and fundraising activities. Construction. Programs that support religious activities. Lobbying for specific legislation or program. 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 $15,000.00 to a maximum of $55,000.00. Total available funding: $100,000.00. 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 presented content. 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. 1. Eligible Applicants: The following organizations are eligible to apply: U.S. and Ukrainian not-for-profit organizations, think-tanks, civil society, nongovernmental organizations, not-for-profit educational and cultural institutions. For-Profit organizations or commercial entities are not eligible to apply! 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost-share is recommended but is not required. Although the Review Committee will not assign additional points to applicants who offer cost sharing, the Review Committee will use cost sharing to break ties among applications with equivalent scores after evaluation against all other factors. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements: 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. The full NOFO can be found in the attached documents.