Exchanges and Training Programs Deadline December 19, 2000 Sponsor U.S. Department of State Contact 301 4th Street, SW ECA/PE/C; Room 220 Washington, DC 20547 Tel: (202) 260-6230 Fax: (202) 619-4350 E-mail: nistraining@pd.state.gov Synopsis The United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Citizen Exchanges, Europe/Eurasia Division, announces an open competition for assistance awards in the areas of Media Training and Women's Leadership. Restrictions Public and private nonprofit organizations may apply. Monetary The funding available for NIS Exchanges and Training will be disbursed through grants to several organizations. Although no funding limit exists, organizations are strongly encouraged to submit proposals that do not exceed $130,000. Proposals that do not exceed $130,000 will be given priority. Organizations with less than four years of experience in managing international exchange programs are limited to $60,000. Objectives The Department of State invites applicants to submit proposals that encourage the growth of democratic institutions in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Exchange and training programs supported by institutional grants should operate at two levels: they should enhance institutional relationships; they should offer practical information to individuals to assist them with their professional and volunteer responsibilities. Project activity may include Internships; study tours; short-term training; consultations; and extended, intensive workshops taking place as a two-way exchange in the U.S. and in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Themes 1. Regional Media Training for the Caucasus Region Proposals should emphasize training in objective reporting and/or developing and implementing effective and applicable income generation schemes and adopting better fiscal management practices. When possible, applicants are encouraged to include working visits to media outlets in another country of the region. Participants may be journalists and/or media managers. The Bureau encourages programs that support or build on country, or region-specific themes or target audiences. Themes may include, but are not limited to, combinations of the following: community development, cottage industry and small business networks, NGOs and awareness campaigns, public-private cooperation, professional development, political leadership, and needs of special interest groups (i.e., ethnic minorities, women with disabilities, young people). 2. Women's Leadership Programs for the Caucasus Region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) Women's leadership programs in the Caucasus Region should focus on citizen participation, cross-border networking and coalition building, organizational development, growth and sustainability. The Bureau encourages programs that support or build on region-specific themes or target audiences. Themes could include, but are not limited to, combinations of the following: community development, cottage industry and small business networks, NGOs' role in societal issues and awareness campaigns, public-private cooperation, professional development, political leadership, cross-cultural and cross-border issues and needs of special interest groups (i.e., ethnic minorities, women with disabilities, young people). Priority will be given to programs that include a strong multiplier effect and that will result in the support or creation of a network or coalition with activities continuing after the grant period. Creation of coalitions and networks should be complementary and not duplicative. Program plans may include a component for a Small Grants Competition. This requires a timeline and detailed plan for outreach, advertising, recruitment and selection; a sample application; a description of the proposal review and award mechanism; a plan for how the grantee would monitor and evaluate small grant activitiy; and the proposed amount for an average grant. Funds for the Small Grants competition should be no more than 25 percent of the total requested from the Bureau. Listed with AZER.com: 11/18/2000 AI Home | Magazine Choice | Topics | Store | Contact us From Azerbaijan International © Azerbaijan International 2000. All rights reserved.