Small Grants of Up to $25,000 available under Public Diplomacy Programs in Bulgaria

Purpose of Small Grants

• PDS Sofia invites proposals for programs that strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and Bulgaria through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
• Examples of PDS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:
  • Academic and professional seminars, conferences, and speaker programs;
  • Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions featuring participants from the United States;
  • Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs;
  • Professional and academic exchanges and training programs;

Priority Program Areas

• Strengthen governance, transparency, and rule of law to foster democratic norms, economic development, energy diversification, and security stability.
• Build media literacy and resilience among the Bulgarian public against disinformation.
• Promote the development of a robust independent media and civil society, including through the promotion of civic activism and volunteerism.
• Promote activities that highlight the social and cultural connections between the United States and Bulgaria.
• Protect and preserve Bulgarian cultural heritage.
• Advance the socioeconomic inclusion of historically underserved and/or marginalized communities, including women, Roma and other minority groups, LGBTQI+ individuals, migrant populations, and disadvantaged youth.
• Promote education and skills-building in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and environmental / clean energy sectors.
• Increase cultural understanding and connectivity between the people of Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

Funding Information

• Total Amount Available: $350,000.00
• Maximum for Each Award: $25,000.00
• Length of performance period: 1 to 12 months

Participants and Audiences: Audiences, which will vary by program and focus, include but are not limited to: students (at all levels), academics and think-tanks, government officials (at all levels), journalists and media professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, and various underserved populations. While not required, they encourage grantees to include components that reach audiences outside of Sofia, in regions with less exposure to the United States, including Northwest and Southeast Bulgaria and the Black Sea coast.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Public Diplomacy Section encourages applications from the United States, Bulgaria, or other European countries:
  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations with programming experience
  • Individuals
  • Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
  • Governmental institutions

Ineligible

• The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:
  • Programs relating to partisan political activity;
  • Charitable or development activities;
  • Construction programs;
  • Programs that support specific religious activities;
  • Fund-raising campaigns;
  • Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
  • Scientific research;
  • Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;
  • Programs that duplicate existing programs; or
  • For-profit programs.

For more information, visit Bulgaria Small Grants Program.