U.S. Embassy Democracy Small Grants Program

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the Democracy Small Grants Program for fiscal year 2009. This competitive program offers grants of up to $20,000 to Vietnamese non-government organizations to strengthen democracy, increase respect for civil society and the rule of law, advance human rights and women’s rights, combat extremism, etc. Guidelines on the program are provided below. Proposals (in English) are due to U.S. Embassy Hanoi by May 16, 2009. Final selections will be announced in August 2009.

Application guidelines:

Proposals can be submitted for up to $20,000, though in practice, the average amount of approved grants has been $15,000. Grants will not normally be made for multi-year projects but may be made to the same organization for a new project. 

Grants may be made to non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations based in Vietnam. Third-country individuals and organizations are NOT eligible. Vietnamese individuals are only eligible if they are affiliated with an organization that can provide long-term sustainability for the program activity.  

Proposals must support program activities that advance democratic practices, which can include developing of civil society; fostering freedom of information and independent media; increasing transparency in government; supporting NGO capacity building; advancing rule of law and judicial reform; promoting civic education; encouraging conflict resolution; prioritizing human rights; or advocating for equal rights for ethnic minorities or women.

Grants may not be used for partisan political activity. Proposals for non-partisan election education and public information activities, however, are eligible for consideration.

Short-term salaries and other minor administrative expenses directly linked to implementation of the program are eligible for funding. General operating expenses and infrastructure costs, however, are not. Grant funds may not be used to fund travel to international conferences nor may they be used primarily for food expenses. Grant funds may be used to train trainers, but they may not be used to provide direct social services. Grant funds may be used for seminars and workshops, but the proposals must describe the expected audience, content, and timeframe and justify the activity in terms of outcome and benefits to U.S. national interests. Grant funds may be used for the publication of materials, but the proposals must describe the audience, content and means of distribution.

Please see below the application form for the 2009 Democracy Small Grants Program.  Please send a hard copy of your proposals (in English) to the U.S. Embassy, Public Affairs Section at #7 Lang Ha Street, Hanoi and an electronic version via email to pas.culture@gmail.com by 5:00 pm, May 16, 2009. Final selections will be announced in August 2009.  

For further inquiries, please contact us at (04) 3850-5000 (extension 6152) or the email above for answers. 

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EAP/PD DEMOCRACY SMALL GRANTS – FY 2009
APPLICATION INFORMATION

1. GENERAL

• Name of Project
  
• Amount Requested
  

2. ORGANIZATION

• Name of Organization (in English and Original Language)
  
• Address (in English and Original Language)
  
• Contact Information (Phone, fax, email)
  
• Web Site Address, if any
  
• Project Coordinator (Name, title)
  
• Brief Background of Organization and Key People
  
• Any Previous USG Funding
  

 

3. PROJECT

• Project Description
  
• Project Justification including purpose and sustainability
  
• Detailed Budget