Promoting Economic Prosperity and Human Development - Malabo Public Diplomacy Small Grants

Promoting Economic Prosperity and Human Development is a small grants program that seeks to promote economic diversification, capacity-building, entrepreneurship, and professional development through inclusive economic growth through working with individuals, non-profits, social enterprises, and other eligible applicants based in Equatorial Guinea and the United States. All programming must highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation and include a U.S. cultural element, or connection with U.S. expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s) in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Examples of PDS 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;

· Professional and academic exchanges and programs;

· Professional development and capacity-building programs;

Expected programming components, but are not limited to:

· Conduct data collection activities; applicants are expected to measure indicators and milestones (i.e. surveys, exams)

· Ensure inclusive recruitment of participants.

· Establish clear linkages to the communities that applicants intend to work with through prior work or partnerships before starting the initiative.

· Assess the feasibility of the project prior to submitting the application.

Program goals and objectives, but are not limited to:

· Empowered civil society promoting inclusive economic growth, human rights, and biodiversity protection;

· Increased number of undereducated and underemployed youth being able to harness and monetize their talents through skill-building activities;

· Increased number of youth learning English;

· Increased number of entrepreneurs with access to resources, skills, and networks to build their small business and, ultimately, diversify the economy;

· Increased linkages between U.S. and Equatoguinean educational and business institutions;

· Increased number of youths with technological skills to enter the global economy.

· Increased number of journalists with media skills to combat mis-and-disinformation.

Priority Program Areas:

· Promoting inclusive economic growth by increasing social inclusion and promoting tolerance for minorities and vulnerable groups.

· Promoting English language (i.e. promoting clubs, forums, social media, education, and arts)

· Strengthening the media (i.e. increasing media professionalism, access to diverse sources of news, and developing savvy consumption of news)

· Encouraging entrepreneurship and economic growth in under-served areas to diversify the economy (i.e. training in start-ups, skill development for people in informal sector, promoting the entrepreneurial spirit, supporting tourism, art, music, and culture development)

· Promoting economic diversification through environmental sustainability (i.e. education, training, and skills for individuals working in biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism, and agriculture).

· Promoting innovation and technology to build capacity.

Participants and Audiences:

· Youth and young professionals learning English;

· Youth and young professionals who are artistic entrepreneurs;

· Media professionals;

· Entrepreneurs;

· Civil society;

· Individuals working in biodiversity conservation, agriculture, and ecotourism;

· Youth, young professionals, educators, leaders, private-sector, public sector, entrepreneurs, influencers, rural communities, local government officials.