Annual Program Statement for Public Affairs Cultural and Educational Programs (“Public Diplomacy Grants Program”) | STATE BISHKEK PAS 22 0001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the Annual Program Statement for Public Affairs Cultural and Educational Programs, also referred to as the Public Diplomacy Grants Program. It is issued by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kyrgyzstan (Public Affairs Section).

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is STATE BISHKEK PAS 22 0001.

3) Who is the funding agency?

The funding agency is the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kyrgyzstan, Public Affairs Section (PAS).

4) Where must projects take place?

Projects are intended to support communities and stakeholders in the Kyrgyz Republic.

5) What is the overall purpose of the program?

The program supports projects that use American informational, educational, and cultural resources to engage communities and advance shared priorities. It is framed as public diplomacy, meaning projects should also strengthen relationships, understanding, and cooperation between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic.

6) What are the main priority program areas?

The program is structured around three priority areas:

• Combating transnational threats
• Supporting sustainable economic growth
• Strengthening accountable governance and stability

7) What kinds of activities fit under Priority Area One: Combating Transnational Threats?

This area focuses on strengthening regional security and stability through practical engagement with diverse and targeted stakeholders. Example topics include violent extremism, human trafficking, emergency preparedness, public health, and climate-related challenges. Emphasis is placed on improving coordination among civil society, local communities, and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, especially to prevent radicalization and counter violent extremism.

8) What are examples of competitive concepts under Priority Area One?

Examples mentioned include:

• Building skills and livelihood pathways that reduce vulnerability to extremist recruitment
• Developing messaging to increase resilience among at-risk groups
• Raising awareness of human trafficking risks among vulnerable populations
• Promoting responses to public health concerns such as COVID-19 vaccination
• Encouraging dialogue on preparedness for climate change impacts

9) What FY 2022 targets are suggested for Priority Area One?

The announcement lists suggested benchmarks (not strict requirements), including:

• Support at least three initiatives (including at least one youth-led effort and at least one initiative outside Chui region)
• Reach at least 500 beneficiaries with alternative opportunities (including at least 70 youth ages 14 to 28)
• Train at least 150 people (e.g., content creators, influencers, mediators, decision-makers) on countering/preventing violent extremism messaging, including 30 government representatives
• Support at least one anti-trafficking awareness initiative across regions
• Support at least one public health-focused initiative
• Train at least 10 key stakeholder representatives (including civil society) on climate preparedness

10) What kinds of activities fit under Priority Area Two: Sustainable Economic Growth?

This area focuses on inclusive prosperity tied to connectivity and sustainable solutions in human capital, energy, and environmental management. Projects are expected to reduce barriers to economic participation (especially for youth, women, and underserved groups), strengthen small and medium business capacity, and build support for sustainable natural resource management and cleaner energy technologies.

11) What example approaches are highlighted under Priority Area Two?

The announcement provides several examples, including:

• English-language initiatives that improve professional capacity for government officials, educators, civil society, and disadvantaged students, while expanding access to English-language information and U.S. experts
• Education and workforce programs that build soft skills and job-ready professional skills, with emphasis on IT sector competencies
• Convenings that bring stakeholders together around sustainable resource management and clean energy adoption
• Outreach designed specifically for Kyrgyz-speaking audiences
• Innovation and entrepreneurship programs (STEAM, social entrepreneurship, adaptive technologies, rural economic development, diversification, women’s empowerment, corporate social responsibility, access to finance, and entrepreneur support)

12) What FY 2022 targets are suggested for Priority Area Two?

Suggested benchmarks include:

• Support at least five initiatives (with at least four tied to social entrepreneurship, STEAM promotion, sustainable resource management, and/or cleaner energy adoption)
• Increase awareness of legal and regulatory aspects of doing business for at least 500 beneficiaries (including at least 80 youth and women, with special attention to Kyrgyz-speaking participants)
• Improve capacity of at least 50 business association members to advocate for policy/program solutions that expand economic participation (including reforms addressing discriminatory barriers affecting access to capital, land tenure, property rights, finance, training, technology, markets, mentoring, and networks)
• Train at least 20 business owners on U.S. and international standards and practical steps to export locally sourced products to the United States using major e-commerce platforms
• Support at least one project that strengthens partnerships or networking among businesses
• Support at least one initiative that improves English language and soft skills for public sector and civil society actors, including underserved students

13) What kinds of activities fit under Priority Area Three: Accountable Governance and Stability?

This area supports proposals that promote more inclusive and accountable governance as a foundation for stability. It seeks projects that strengthen civil society and independent media, improve citizen understanding of rights and protections, support rule of law and anticorruption norms, increase effective public oversight of political and government processes (including budgets and regulations), encourage constructive citizen-government collaboration to improve policy and service delivery, and expand access to locally relevant and balanced civic information through stronger media products.

14) What illustrative activities are included under Priority Area Three?

Illustrative activities include:

• Peace-building initiatives that build tolerance, leadership, youth and women’s empowerment, and inclusion, ideally strengthening ties with the United States and/or regional Central Asian cooperation
• Arts, culture, and sports programs that deepen U.S.-Kyrgyz connections and understanding of U.S. culture and values
• Media strengthening and information literacy projects (including Kyrgyz-language media development, fact-checking, research skills for journalists and audiences, and expansion into rural or remote areas)
• Efforts to improve media content on democracy, freedom, human rights, rule of law, civic education, advocacy, and environmental protection, including explanations of how U.S.-supported programs advance these values and how social media can be used for transparency and rural outreach

15) What FY 2022 targets are suggested for Priority Area Three?

Suggested benchmarks include:

• Support at least five initiatives (including at least three youth-led and at least two based in rural areas)
• Provide alternative opportunities to at least 300 beneficiaries (including at least 80 from underserved groups such as youth, women, and minorities)
• Train at least 200 beneficiaries (e.g., trainers, influencers, mediators, decision-makers), including 30 local or national government representatives

16) What does "public diplomacy" mean in the context of this grant?

In this opportunity, public diplomacy means projects are expected to do more than deliver local program results. They should also incorporate American informational, educational, and cultural resources and contribute to stronger mutual understanding and cooperation between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic.

17) Are the numerical targets required?

No. The announcement describes the numerical targets as suggested benchmarks rather than strict requirements. Applicants may propose different performance targets when they can justify them based on project design and scope.

18) What is the award type and CFDA number?

Awards are offered as grants under CFDA 19.040.

19) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $120,000.

20) How many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated up to 20 awards.

21) When was the opportunity posted and when was it originally due?

The original posting date was January 18, 2022, and the original closing date was April 30, 2022.

22) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." The announcement notes that additional eligibility details are referenced in the full announcement.

23) Does the opportunity emphasize any specific groups or audiences?

Yes. Across the priority areas, the announcement repeatedly emphasizes youth, women, underserved groups, and Kyrgyz-speaking audiences for certain activities, as well as engagement with civil society, local communities, media, and government representatives.

24) Are projects required to operate in specific regions?

The program includes suggested targets that encourage geographic diversity. For example, Priority Area One suggests at least one initiative outside Chui region, and Priority Area Three suggests at least two initiatives based in rural areas.

25) What kinds of stakeholders are mentioned as potential participants or trainees?

The announcement references a range of participants such as content creators, influencers, mediators, trainers, decision-makers, business owners, business association members, journalists, civil society representatives, and local or national government representatives.