Comprehensive In-School Democracy and Human Rights Education Program (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

This year-long program will support educational authorities in the implementation of in-school civic education curriculum that educates BiH students from kindergartens, elementary schools, secondary schools, and universities about the basic concepts of a democratic society, justice, human rights, tolerance, the BiH constitution, and the various levels of government in the country and offers a range of non-formal educational opportunities for youth to strengthen their civic competencies.  We welcome proposals to support the implementation of the in-school civic education program as part of the official school curriculum throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

Objectives

• This program aims to result in increased citizen/youth support for a pluralist and tolerant society and increased youth support for civic participation.

Funding Information

• Award Amounts: Awards may range from USD 400,000 to USD 550,000
• Total Available Funding: USD 550,000
• Length of Performance Period: 12 months

Program Components

• Support for the implementation of interdisciplinary civic education curriculum for the lower level of primary education: The applicant will design and offer a range of trainings for teachers to support the interdisciplinary implementation of civic education outcomes for lower primary education including student workbooks and teacher guides in the three official languages of the country in cooperation with the relevant educational authorities.
• Kindergarten Democracy Project:  This project will be implemented in partnership with local kindergartens, schools, and communities, to support professional development of preschool teachers in teaching basic democratic concepts that support social and emotional development as defined by the relevant preschool curriculum and to provide early education to vulnerable populations (e.g., Roma, returnees) who otherwise lack access.
• Support for quality implementation of the civic education subject curriculum based on learning outcomes for elementary and secondary schools by providing professional development opportunities for civics teachers: The applicant will propose relevant opportunities for strengthening professional competencies of in-service civics teachers through trainings focused on student-centered teaching approaches and interactive and experiential pedagogy and/or certification program in cooperation with the relevant educational authorities.
• Country-Wide Student Competition: The competition will be a civic education exercise involving classes and teams from across the country, to teach students to identify issues in their communities and to advocate for solutions.  The competition should include teams of students and be organized at school, municipality, district/regional/cantonal, and state levels.
• Summer/Winter Democracy Camps:  The three- to five-day large-scale camps will focus on supporting democratic values and active citizenship among youth, interethnic tolerance and peace building, and gather together winners of the country-wide student competition (including students and teachers) representing all cantons/regions/districts/entities.
• A High-Level Event: This event should bring together all major stakeholders (representatives of ministries of education, pedagogical institutes, academia, education agencies, teachers, school administrators and civil society from all parts of the country) to discuss “citizenship competencies” as one of the keycompetences of EU Key Competencies for Lifelong Learning as well as priorities and plans for joint collaborative efforts on advancement of civic education.
• Night in the Museum: Proposals should include a series of experiential learning events/ activities linked to civics education at cultural institutions in the country (museums, performing arts institutions, libraries, etc.) with overnight stays where feasible.  Applicants should include in the program partnerships with the cultural institutions from different parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a minimum of 600 students from different ethnic groups across the country.
• Engagement with teachers and students:  The applicant will submit a plan for innovative and active engagements with civics teachers and students to maximize the impact of the in-school program and offer continuous support and opportunities (e.g., newsletters, innovative teaching contests, student civics-related activities, etc.).
• Campaign on the Importance of Active Citizenship: The applicant will submit a plan for an outreach campaign that is based on a combination of approaches – from traditional to social media – targeting audiences relevant to civic education as well as the public.

Ineligible Funding

• Long-term infrastructure needs
• Funds may not be used to pay for travel to the United States.  Projects involving regional travel will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must have a clear justification outlining why the travel is integral to the project.
• Provision of direct social services to a population
• Vocational training, for example teaching participants to weld, perform electrical work, sewing, beekeeping, etc.
• Partisan political activity (Note: non-partisan election education and public information activities are allowable.)
• Funding of charitable activity and humanitarian aid, commercial projects, or fund-raising campaigns

Participants and Audiences

• Students at all educational levels, educators, school administrators, government, and the public.

Who can apply? 

• Non-governmental, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions that are based and legally registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina are eligible to apply. American or other donor country organizations are not eligible for this program. Grants are awarded only to organizations.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.