A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Skopje Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Skopje invites proposals for programs that strengthen people-to-people ties between the U.S. and North Macedonia through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural 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. Examples of PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to: Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs Professional and academic exchanges and programs Programs focused on entrepreneurship and innovation Programs focused on diversity and empowerment of youth and underserved communities Programs focused on democratic processes and values Programs focused on gender issues Programs focused on human and equal rights Programs focused on media literacy Programs focused on strengthening resiliency against disinformation; and malign influence Programs focused on environment protection Programs that support North Macedonias Euro-Atlantic integration process Priority Program Areas: The objectives of the Public Diplomacy Grant Program are to promote positive relations between North Macedonia and the United States; to reinforce shared values; and to connect North Macedonias emerging leaders to the American people. We fund projects that: Help North Macedonias youth build and develop skills to improve their potential through innovative science (especially environmental and health awareness), technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEM) programs, as well as through entrepreneurship programs and vocational training. Focus on educating youth and publics about current environmental issues, including crafting creative solutions to environmental challenges, green energy initiatives and energy conservation, climate change adaptation strategies, as well as action plans to deal with water scarcity exacerbated by climate change and urbanization. Encourage North Macedonias youth to participate in civic life through social entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community engagement. Strengthen understanding of U.S. values and institutions; highlight US culture, including American Studies, English language teaching/learning, and study in the United States; as well as support diversity through the acceptance of minority groups, including individuals with special needs or handicapping conditions, and other areas of mutual interest. Participants and Audiences: US Mission North Macedonia encourages not only diverse applicants to apply to our grants programs but would also like to see diverse target audiences and trainers. Diversity can be defined by different geographic regions, ethnicities, religious orientations, gender, physical disabilities including visual, hearing, speech, and other physically handicapping conditions. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: Printing or promotion of books or manuscripts Travel to the United States for professional development Promotion of local arts scenes Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single-party electoral campaigns Charitable or development activities Construction programs Programs that support specific religious activities Fund-raising campaigns Lobbying for specific legislation or programs Scientific research Commercial or trade activities Individual travel to conferences and meetings Social welfare projects Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization Ongoing salary costs and office equipment Paying to complete activities that were begun with other funds or Programs that duplicate existing programs