English-Language Program for Disadvantaged Communities (Azerbaijan)

The program is focused on English-language training for youth aged 12-17 from underserved communities, especially those located outside of the capital city. In addition to in-person programs, instruction may be offered partly virtually.

Objectives

• To offer free-of-charge English-language instruction to Azerbaijani students from underserved communities.
• To create highly effective English-language instruction using current, student-centered methodologies to improve the students’ ability to comprehend and communicate in real-world contexts.
• To instill knowledge of and appreciation for American culture and values, to promote community service, and to enhance critical-thinking skills among program participants.

Funding Information

• Number of awards anticipated:  up to 3-4 awards, depending on available funds
• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $15,000 to a maximum of $25,000
• Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 24 months or less.

Requirements for English-Language Training Course

• Scope
  • A minimum of 102 hours of active teaching hours over the course of the program.  The schedule should encompass 34 active teaching weeks of two 1.5-hour classes every week (for a total of 68 classes).  Teaching hours should be designed to expose students to American culture and values.  Furthermore, each program should offer a non-classroom-based enhancement activity every month (example activities might include a community clean-up program, a library visit, or a volunteer session with a local community service organization).   Each class should be comprised of a maximum of 20 students (minimum of 14 students).
• Teacher qualifications
  • All teachers must be identified and presented in the proposal.  All teachers must have at least advanced-mid proficiency levels in reading, writing, listening, and speaking and prior teaching experience with youth aged 12-17.
  • Teacher-training in September 2024
  • All teachers must commit to a training program organized by the U.S. Embassy in early September 2024 on Communicative Techniques and Teaching American Culture and Values.  Attendance in the training which will take place in Baku is mandatory and any expenses related to participation in this training must be compensated.  Successful proposers should consider including any expenses related to travel to training site, accommodation and meals in their budget and compensate it to all teachers who have successfully completed the training.
• Administering proficiency tests
  • Successful proposers will be required to administer the proficiency test (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) for selected students before the training program and after the training program based on the pre-approved test materials.  Applicants should budget one day of their teachers’ time for the assessment test.
• Textbooks
  • All textbooks used in U.S. Embassy-funded language programs must be produced by an American publisher.

Participants and Audiences

• The intended audiences for potential projects are individuals from disadvantaged communities (rural areas, low-income, IDPs etc.).  Secondary school students and young people living in rural and vulnerable communities are the targeted beneficiaries and special consideration will be given to programs working in regions outside of Baku. Proposed programs should include contingency plans to accommodate potential prohibitions on in-person gatherings.

Eligibility Criteria

• Submissions are encouraged from Azerbaijani entities with relevant experience. This experience should be documented in the proposal.  Eligible entities include Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and associations, community-based organizations (CBOs), and individual citizens.  For-profit entities are eligible to apply.  Previous recipients who are not/were not in compliance with the terms of their financial and program reporting requirements are ineligible to apply. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable terms, conditions, and Office of Management and Budget guidance and requirements.  Those organizations found to be in non-compliance may be found ineligible for funding or designated high risk if selected for funding.
• Cost Sharing or Matching
  • Though cost-sharing is not mandatory, applicants are encouraged to include their contribution in suggested project budget which also can be an in-kind contribution (equipment, labor, program materials, etc.).

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan.