Tips to Apply for the Public Affairs Small Grant with the US Embassy in Ghana

The US Embassy in Ghana has opened the call for applications for the Public Affairs Small Grant Program. Projects should address one or more of the US Embassies strategic goals in the country. Interested organizations can apply for funding up to 25,000 US$. The deadline for applications is the 29^th of March 2019.

Who can apply for the Public Affairs Small Grant of the US Embassy in Ghana?

The Public Affairs Small Grant is open for applications from registered not-for-profit organizations, individuals and non-profit or governmental education institutions in Ghana. Also included are think tanks. For-profit organizations are not eligible.

What can be funded with a Public Affairs Small Grant?

The Public Affairs Small Grant funds projects that address one or more of the strategic goals of the US Embassy in Ghana. The strategic goals are the following:

• Improve Governance, Strengthen Democratic Institutions, and Promote Accountability
• Promote Opportunity and Development by Investing in People
• Maintain and Bolster Peace and Security
• Spur Sustained Economic Growth, Trade, and Investment
• Activities that fall under these goals and may qualify for funding include (but are not limited to):
• Combating corruption and strengthening accountability
• Encouraging and supporting the media and civil society (including women, rural residents, economically and politically disadvantaged groups, and youth) to better advocate for improved government services and to play an increasingly effective role in good governance
• Hosting topic-based journalism workshops to encourage accurate and effective reporting on topics related to health and other development and social issues
• Promoting civic education and youth participation in civics, democratic processes, volunteerism, and community service
• Promoting the equal rights of all citizens and the empowerment of vulnerable and marginalized
  groups within political and societal structures
• Fostering media ethics and professionalism
• Developing media literacy among youth, civil society, media, academia, and digital
  communicators
• Encouraging lifelong literacy and a passion for reading
• Developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills in youth
• Countering violent extremism
• Promoting inter-faith and inter-ethnic dialogue
• Promoting a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation and business development, especially
  among women
• Increasing human capacity, particularly among women, rural residents, and other politically and
  economically disadvantaged people, to promote broader participation in the economy

While the highest possible grant amount is 25,000 US$, most grants are in the range of 5,000 – 10,000 US$. The lowest possible amount organizations can apply for is 3,000 US$

How can you apply for the Public Affairs Small Grant?

To apply for this opportunity, interested organizations have to submit a proposal via email until the 29^th of March 2019. The US Embassy suggests using the proposal template format that is given on the website. Among other content, the proposal needs a detailed budget in US$, a budget narrative, a monitoring plan and an amplification plan that addresses the different stakeholders and the sustainability of the project.

Public Affairs Small Grant for Ghana – What to look out for

The guidelines state that projects with “American content” will be looked upon more favorably. This can mean American partners, materials or themes. Furthermore, projects with cost-sharing or co-financing have higher chances of success.

The evaluation of the projects will be base on its audience, goals and objectives, strengths and innovation, organizational capacity, sustainability, budget and budget justification, media plan and monitoring and evaluation.

Before submitting, make sure that you have read the guidelines and that your proposal follows them strictly. Sometimes the guidelines are used as a evaluation pointers to cut down on the number of applications a they get. So, you should always follow the guidelines meticulously.

For more information, please office announcement on U.S. Embassy in Ghana.

Best of luck!