press releases
Democracy Commission Grants Competition
The Embassy of the United States of America is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program. The U.S. Embassy invites Moldovan NGOs and independent media outlets to submit projects whose purpose is to further the development of democracy and civil society in Moldova.
Background
The Democracy Commission Small Grants Program was initiated in 1994 as a flexible mechanism to enable American Embassies to support the development of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and the CIS. The Democracy Commission in Moldova started its activity in 1996.
The Democracy Commission acts as the implementing body and includes members of most of the U.S. Government agencies active in Moldova. The Program is administered by the Public Affairs Section.
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Decisions are based on the eligibility and quality of the grant application. Once approved by the Democracy Commission in Chisinau, the application undergoes a technical review and receives final approval by the Department of State in Washington D.C. The final review ensures compliance with program requirements and allowable expenses and accuracy of budgets.
Funding priorities
For the November competition, the U.S. Embassy welcomes projects related to the following priorities:
- Civic education
- Strengthening and promotion of civil society and democratic institutions;
- Independent media, free flow of information, freedom of speech, transparency in government and good governance;
- Public participation in decision making;
- Institutionalization of open, pluralistic, and democratic political processes at the local level.
Proposed projects should yield concrete results.
The program DOES NOT support:
Humanitarian assistance or charitable activities; political or partisan activities; scientific research; conferences and/or individual trips abroad; trade activities; projects aimed at primary institutional development of the organization;
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility is limited to Moldovan not-for-profit organizations and independent mass media. Direct funding for U.S. and third-party organizations is not available under this program.
Applicants are not required to include funding from other donors. However, applications that include additional in-kind and/or financial contributions from non-U.S. Government sources will be more competitive, since cost-sharing demonstrates a strong commitment to the planned activities and will be considered to show great cost effectiveness.
Application and Submission Information
Award Period: Up to 12 months
Award Amount: Up to $24,000
Application Submission Process: Applicants must submit their applications electronically. Thorough instructions on the application process are available at http://moldova.usembassy.gov/democracy-grants.html
Application Deadline: All applications must be submitted on or before Monday, November 30, 2009, 16:59 (Moldova time). Applications submitted after 16:59 will be ineligible for consideration. Begin the application process early, as this will allow time to address any technical difficulties that may arise in advance of the deadline. There will be no exceptions to this application deadline.
Additional information, requirements, standard application forms and step-by-step instructions can be found at: http://moldova.usembassy.gov/democracy-grants.html
Contact person: Stelian Rusu, Information Resource Center, 57/1 Banulescu-Bodoni str., Chişinău, Moldova, tel.: 22-99-50; fax: 23-85-48 E-mail: RusuS@state.gov