Small Grants Program Goals and Objectives:
The U. S. Embassy Sofia Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) invites proposals for programs that bolster the people-to-people ties between the United States and Bulgaria through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral

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cooperation.

All programs must include a U. S. element, or clear 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 and promote shared values.

Priority Program Areas:
Competitive proposals should focus on one or more of the following priority themes:
1. Educational and Cultural Exchange · Deepen the social, cultural, and educational connections between the United States and Bulgaria through the development of active, sustainable alumni networks.

· Increase interest in and opportunities for Bulgarians to study in the United States and Americans to study in Bulgaria.

· Forge strategic partnerships between U. S. and Bulgarian educational, cultural, or civic society organizations/institutions, including the development of joint- degree programs, internships, trainings or exchanges, etc.

2. Media and Civil Society Development · Strengthen the development of robust independent media and civil society organizations to bolster civic participation and improve societal trust in democratic institutions.

· Increase media and digital literacy and improve Bulgarian society’s resilience to disinformation.

3. Youth Empowerment and Economic Development · Promote leadership, civic engagement, entrepreneurship and innovation among secondary and university students, especially from underserved, vulnerable, or rural communities (outside metropolitan areas).

· Develop youth skills in critical thinking, financial literacy, science, technology, engineering, and other areas that will help prepare Bulgarians for the workforce and encourage them to remain in Bulgaria after their graduation.

4. Inclusion and Integration · Advance the inclusion and integration of historically underserved and vulnerable communities, including women, religious, linguistic, or ethnic minorities, LGBTQI+ individuals, Ukrainian refugees, other migrants, and disadvantaged youth.

5. Regional Cooperation · Increase interconnectivity between Bulgaria and other countries in the region, including projects that foster cooperation between the citizens of Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

6. Environmental Sustainability · Promote dialogue and civic participation in programs that confront climate change and that advance environmental sustainability and energy diversification.

Participants and Audiences:
Project activities must take place or be initiated in Bulgaria and be directed towards Bulgarian audiences/participants.

Audiences, which will vary by program and focus, include but are not limited to students (particularly at secondary and university levels), academics and think-tanks, government officials (at all levels), journalists and media professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, and various underserved or vulnerable populations.

While not required, special consideration will be given to projects including 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.

Grantees are also encouraged to host programming and take advantage of existing resources at American Corners in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, and Burgas, especially when programming involves youth (secondary/university) audiences.