The United States Embassy in Kosovo has announced an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out the U.S. Speakers Program. The Speakers Program brings dynamic U.S. citizen experts to Kosovo to engage professional and student audiences throughout the country on topics of strategic importance to the United States and Kosovo.

The U.S. Speakers address strategic policy priorities identified by U.S. Embassy in Kosovo. The U.S. Speaker Program for Kosovo promotes an understanding of U.S. policies and institutions as well as the political, economic, social, and cultural context from which they arise.

Program Themes

The 2021 PAS Communication Strategy also focuses on the following core program themes:

• Anti-corruption and Impunity   
• Employment-Oriented Education and Skills Building  
• Innovation and Leadership  

Program Objectives & Audiences

• Objective 1: Within one year from the grant start date, engage between two to four U.S. STEAM Speakers with youth in high school and university students to promote STEAM education, technology, innovation and the making culture in Kosovo.
  • Primary audience: Youth in Transition. 
• Objective 2: Within one year from the grant start date, engage at least one U.S. speaker on women’s entrepreneurship that promotes diversity of young women entrepreneurship and leadership.
  • Primary audience: Emerging Decision Makers
• Objective 3: Within one year from the start award date, employ at least one U.S. writer to engage with high school and university students in Mitrovica North to promote creativity and leadership among youth.
  • Primary audience: Youth in Transition
• Objective 4:  Within one year from the grant start date, engage one U.S. expert on NGO funding diversification to help local NGOs become more sustainable and transparent.
  • Primary audience: Emerging Decision Makers
• Objective 5: Within one year from the grant start date, engage one U.S. speaker on women peace and security to address domestic violence issues, women peace and security, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of individuals and nations
  • Primary audience: Established Influencers
• Objective 6: Within one year from the grant start date, engage one to two U.S. speakers on academic integrity to work with public and private university students and faculty on issues of plagiarism, academic integrity and work ethics.
  • Primary audience: Youth in Transition (university students) and Established Influencers.

Funding Information

Length of performance period: 1 year.

• Number of awards anticipated: 3-5 awards (dependent on amounts)
• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000to a maximum of $25,000
• Total available funding: $80,000

Eligibility Criteria

The following organizations are eligible to apply: 

• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations officially registered in the Republic of Kosovo.
• Public and private educational institutions in the Republic of Kosovo.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.