small grants program

Small Grants Program

The U.S. Embassy Grants Section of the Office of Public Diplomacy has a limited grants program that supports artistic, academic, and other activities with a connection to American culture or values when such support is of mutual interest to both the requesting organization and the Embassy. Funds are very limited, so grants awarded are generally do not exceed $3,000.

Examples of programs the Embassy has funded in the past include costs of bringing an American expert speaker or performer to Kosovo to participate in an event, conferences on American themes or issues of mutual interest, exhibitions of works by Americans or on American themes, and educational programs. These examples are merely illustrative, not exhaustive. All proposals are considered.

Funding cannot be provided for costs of receptions or food and drink, ongoing salary costs, or office equipment (with some exceptions). Cost-sharing by the requesting organization is an important factor in evaluating grant requests.

If your organization would like to submit an application, please complete the Grant Request Form (Word document, 2 pages) and Budget Form (Excel document, 2 worksheets).

Democracy Commission Small Grants Program

In addition, the U.S. Embassy Grants Section of the Office of Public Diplomacy has a limited grants program called the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program for specific projects and initiatives supporting the development of democratic institutions and open civil society. Grants are awarded to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local independent media. The objective is to promote democratic institutions, the rule of law/administration of justice, development of independent media, civic education and civil society, human rights, ethnic and political harmony, participatory governance, environmental clean-up, strengthening of the NGO sector, and reconciliation of disputes.

In past years the Democracy Commission Program has funded projects throughout Kosovo, ranging from combating human trafficking, domestic violence and corruption; promoting economic and business development; enhancing professionalism in the media; encouraging citizen participation in democracy; and improving the electoral process.

Specific Guidelines:

The maximum grant amount is USD 24,000.
Grants are made on a one-time basis. A successful applicant may re-apply for a second grant, but the second proposal must be for a distinctly different project than the first project funded by the Democracy Commission.
U.S. organizations and individuals are not eligible for grants under the program.

The Program CANNOT fund: humanitarian aid and charities or charitable activities; scientific research; conferences and individual trips abroad; trade activities; projects aiming only at primary institutional development of the organization.

If your organization would like to submit an application, please carefully read the attached Application Guidelines and submit an Application Form (Word Documents). After completion of project activities grantees are required to submit a Grant Reporting Form accompanied by a Financial Report (see Financial Report Guidelines).

The application requires a detailed description of the activity for which grant funds are being requested and a budget proposal broken down by expenditure category, otherwise it will not be considered.

For requests and queries, please submit completed grant application forms to
Public Diplomacy Section to: 
Program Assistant, Merita Musmurati
Grant Assistant, Faton Vatovci