The U.S. Embassy Yaound Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) announces the availability of funding through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an annual request for Statements of Interest (SOI), outlining funding priorities, strategic themes, and procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully read and follow all instructions below. The submission of a SOI is the first step in a two-part process. Applicants must first submit a SOI, which is a concise, 3-page concept note designed to clearly communicate a program idea and its objectives before the development of a full proposal application. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants the opportunity to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to undertaking the development of full proposal. Upon review of eligible SOIs, PDS will invite selected applicants to expand their ideas into full proposal applications. Purpose of Small Grants: The PDS grants program supports projects proposed by U.S. and Cameroonian academic, cultural, educational, and other non-profit organizations and/or individuals that promote U.S. values, increase understanding between U.S. and Cameroonian people and institutions, and/or support U.S. Embassy goals of promoting government transparency and accountability, economic prosperity, peace and security, environmental sustainability, and climate adaptation. All programs must include an element of American culture or society, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Priority Program Areas: Governance: Projects promoting democratic principles, improved and inclusive governance, transparency, human rights, religious freedom, empowerment of marginalized groups, citizen engagement, including in elections, civic education, and civil society. Prosperity: Projects promoting economic prosperity, entrepreneurship, bilateral trade and investment, countering corruption Security: Projects promoting peace and security, rule of law, alternatives to violence in resolving conflict, tolerance, preventing radicalization to violence, improving mutual understanding between groups, community policing Sustainability and Climate Change: Projects promoting environmental sustainability and addressing climate change Journalism: Projects promoting a professional and independent media, role of informed citizens in a democracy, media literacy, ethical and investigative journalism. Examples of PDS Small Grants Programs include, but are not limited to : U.S. experts conducting lectures, seminars, or speaking tours with Cameroonian audiences Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs Professional and academic exchanges and programs Libraries, community centers, or other institutions that are interested in becoming an American Space Programs developed by an alumnus/a of a U.S. sponsored or supported educational or professional exchange program Projects to promote English language teaching skills or widen access to books and other sources of information about the United States