Programs to Counter Violent Extremism and Foster Community Resilience, Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Islamabad

The Community Engagement Office (CEO) of the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is pleased to announce funding is available through the Public Diplomacy Grants program. The Community Engagement Office's purpose in funding projects under this opportunity is to further Mission Pakistan's goal to reduce violent extremism and terrorism, by promoting a comprehensive approach to address violent extremist challenges in Pakistan and the unique contributions that communities, civil society, and the private sector can make to this effort. CEO seeks to promote positive narratives and tolerant perspectives as well as directly dispel violent extremist messaging; reduce violent extremism through education, critical thinking, and structured dialogue; and enhance and amplify community-based resiliency efforts focused on women and youth. The funds awarded through this opportunity will strengthen local institutions, organizations, and small communities to build self-sustaining capacity to implement long-term interventions to reduce violent extremism. To this end, the Public Affairs Section invites proposals that address one or more of the objectives listed below: 1. Counter Narrative: Dispel the narratives of extremist groups that incite violence and provide alternative narratives. 2. Capacity Building: Increase capacity within communities to reduce violent extremism with an emphasis on religious leaders, youth, and women. 3. Preventative Outreach: Provide positive alternatives to ordinary citizens - especially younger Pakistanis - susceptible to recruitment into violent extremism. The average proposal should be $150,000 per year with a maximum amount per proposal of $300,000. Projects may be either one to two years in duration, and may be implemented in any area of Pakistan.