The Public Affairs Office in the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Port of Spain of the U.S. Department of State (hereafter referred to as “PAS POS”) is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

The purpose of funding projects under this NOFO is to further contributions to economic growth and the development of human and government capacity in Trinidad and Tobago, while developing people-to-people, institutional, and economic ties between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago. They also aim to increase understanding of and support for U.S.-Trinidad and Tobago relations and American values and policy among the Trinidadian and Tobagonian public.

Objective

Programming funded under this NOFO will help to strengthen ties between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago through programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. To that end, all programs must include an American element or 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. Proposals must include a clear plan to measure and evaluate the impact of the program; proposals that fail to include a monitoring and evaluation plan will not be considered. Preference will be given to proposals that include target audiences outside the urban centers of Port of Spain or that involve a grantee providing multiple sub-grantee projects to organizations submitting proposals in accordance with embassy priorities and regulations.

PAS POS’s Program Areas/Priorities in Trinidad and Tobago:

• Strengthen local institutions to build long-term, self-sustaining relationships and institutional linkages between U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago organizations, including capacity building support for organizations.
• Contribute to economic growth; improve human capacity by creating a better educated and more skillful workforce; and contribute to the development of government and civil society capacity in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly in areas outside of urban centers and other remote and/or disconnected areas while contributing to local and regional stability.
• Empower civil societies to strengthen diversity, rule of law, transparency, and rights for vulnerable and marginalized people, including members of the LGBTQI community, victims of gender-based violence, refugees and displaced persons, and persons with disabilities.
• Enhance community engagement through sharing positive messages and perspectives that enhance and amplify community-based efforts to address violent extremism.
• Demonstrate shared values, which builds respect and trust, and increases effective communication.
• Implement trauma-sensitive intervention programs with role models and educators to divert vulnerable youth away from gang and violent extremist influences.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $200,000
• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $3,500 to a maximum of $30,000
• Length of performance period: up to 12 months

Participants and Audiences

• In deciding which projects to support, the Embassy will consider the full range and diversity of Trinidadian, Tobagonian, and U.S. organizations. The Public Affairs Section will also seek to target geographically and demographically diverse audiences throughout both islands.
• The Embassy welcomes both new grantees and American, Trinidadian, and Tobagonian individuals and institutions with a proven track record of executing superior cultural and educational events and programs . Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate the long-term sustainability of the project and that include some form of cost-sharing with the partner institution(s) and private-sector engagement that will allow the programs to become sustainable in future iterations. Preference will also be given to proposals where multiple organizations are collaborating on projects under a single grantee. Strong proposals will include impact assessment, in addition to results/evaluation, at the conclusion of the grant period.

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposals from non-profits and/or NGOs, academic institutions, and social enterprises with offices headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago will be given preference. Please note that they will also accept applications from U.S.-based institutions, but they must show that they have already obtained on-the-ground support from a local organization.
• For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy.