Opportunity Information: Apply for SRB10021FO003
The PAS Belgrade Program Support for Media Small Grants Competition (FY2021) is a U.S. Embassy Belgrade Public Affairs Section (PAS) funding opportunity designed to strengthen Serbia's media environment by supporting a local organization that will run a sub-grants program. The underlying problem the opportunity addresses is the widespread presence of disinformation and misinformation, gaps in coverage of stories that matter most to communities (including disadvantaged groups), and the broader need to reinforce press freedom and democratic norms in Serbia, especially in the context of Serbia's stated goal of European Union accession and the reforms that goal implies.
Rather than funding many separate applicants directly, PAS intends to make one primary award through a cooperative agreement to a single managing organization. That selected organization would receive the full award and then administer a competitive small-grants process for others. In practice, the grantee functions as the program operator: publicizing the sub-grant competition across Serbia, collecting applications, conducting technical reviews, preparing materials for the Embassy's sub-grant review panel, issuing sub-awards to approved projects, tracking implementation, monitoring results, and evaluating impact. Because it is a cooperative agreement, the Embassy expects close coordination with PAS throughout the full life cycle of the program, from the sub-grant call to final reporting.
The Media Small Grants Program itself focuses on projects that improve media literacy and critical thinking among students, news consumers, and the general public, while also supporting the free flow of accurate information and encouraging people to tell the stories that matter most to them. A major goal is to contribute to a stronger Serbian press and to educate communities about why independent media and press freedom matter in a democratic society. Alongside these public-facing outcomes, PAS also emphasizes building the institutional capacity of sub-grantees, meaning the sub-grants are intended not only to produce one-off activities but also to leave participating organizations better able to design, manage, and deliver quality projects over time.
The opportunity is flexible about what sub-grantee projects can look like, as long as they fit the program themes that PAS sets for the year (themes were to be determined at the time of posting). Example formats mentioned include workshops and trainings, courses, public debates, conferences, simulations or role-playing exercises, TED Talk-style events, hackathons, online initiatives, public awareness campaigns, podcasts, summer camps, cross-border exchanges, curriculum development, exhibits, and other comparable activities. While Serbia is the priority region and activities can occur anywhere in the country, the overall intent is national impact through better-informed audiences and stronger media-related civic engagement.
There are clear restrictions on what cannot be funded. PAS states that projects are not eligible if they involve partisan political activity, charitable or humanitarian aid distribution, fundraising campaigns, commercial or profit-making ventures (including efforts that support a current or future business), or the provision of social services such as health care, child care, food subsidies, or similar assistance. These limits keep the program centered on education, information integrity, civic awareness, and media-sector strengthening rather than political campaigning, charity, or business development.
The managing organization is expected to target potential sub-grantees across Serbia, including not-for-profit entities such as journalist associations, civil society organizations and NGOs, think tanks, educational institutions, and media outlets. Individuals may also be eligible as sub-grantees, including alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs, as long as they can demonstrate the capacity and track record to deliver the proposed activities. In other words, the program is structured to reach both institutional actors and credible individuals who can execute meaningful media literacy or press freedom-related projects.
Key administrative details include an anticipated start date no earlier than May 15, 2021, with PAS expecting a final funding decision by May 5, 2021. The overall performance period is up to 24 months, which is meant to cover the full timeline for launching the sub-grant competition, implementing and completing sub-grantee projects, conducting assessment and evaluation, and submitting the final report under the cooperative agreement. The total award ceiling is $145,000, with one expected award. The opportunity is issued by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Serbia, under opportunity number SRB10021FO003 (CFDA 19.900), and it was posted March 17, 2021 with an original closing date of April 20, 2021.
Application materials are provided through the Embassy's grants webpage, and submissions were to be emailed to belgradepress@state.gov. PAS also scheduled a virtual information session on March 31, 2021 (16:00 CET) to walk applicants through the opportunity and answer questions, with a recording to be posted afterward for those who could not attend live.Apply for SRB10021FO003
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Serbia in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "PAS Belgrade_Program Support for Media Small Grants Competition (FY2021)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.900.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 17, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 20, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $145,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs: PAS Belgrade Program Support for Media Small Grants Competition (FY2021)
What is the PAS Belgrade Program Support for Media Small Grants Competition (FY2021)?
It is a U.S. Embassy Belgrade Public Affairs Section (PAS) funding opportunity intended to strengthen Serbia's media environment. The selected recipient will operate a sub-grants program that supports smaller projects focused on media literacy, critical thinking, accurate information, and press freedom-related civic engagement.
Who is the funder for this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Serbia (U.S. Embassy Belgrade), through the Public Affairs Section (PAS).
What problem is this program trying to address?
The program is designed to respond to disinformation and misinformation, gaps in coverage of stories that matter to communities (including disadvantaged groups), and the need to reinforce press freedom and democratic norms in Serbia, particularly in light of Serbia's stated goal of European Union accession and related reforms.
How is this grant structured (direct awards vs. sub-grants)?
PAS intends to make one primary award to a single managing organization. That organization will then run a competitive small-grants process and issue sub-awards to approved projects, rather than PAS funding many separate applicants directly.
How many awards are expected under this opportunity?
One primary award is expected.
What is the maximum total amount available for the primary award?
The award ceiling for the primary cooperative agreement is $145,000.
What type of award will be used?
The primary award will be a cooperative agreement, which means the Embassy expects close coordination with PAS throughout the full life cycle of the program.
What does PAS mean by "close coordination" under a cooperative agreement?
Based on the opportunity description, PAS expects to work closely with the managing organization from the sub-grant call through final reporting, including coordination on the sub-grant competition process and oversight of implementation and reporting.
What will the managing organization be responsible for?
The managing organization will function as the program operator. Responsibilities include: publicizing the sub-grant competition across Serbia; collecting sub-grant applications; conducting technical reviews; preparing materials for the Embassy's sub-grant review panel; issuing sub-awards to approved projects; tracking implementation; monitoring results; and evaluating impact, including final reporting.
What kinds of outcomes is the program trying to achieve?
The program aims to improve media literacy and critical thinking among students, news consumers, and the general public; support the free flow of accurate information; encourage people to tell stories that matter to them; and contribute to a stronger Serbian press and broader understanding of why independent media and press freedom matter in a democratic society.
Is capacity building for sub-grantees part of the goal?
Yes. PAS emphasizes building the institutional capacity of sub-grantees so that the sub-grants leave organizations better able to design, manage, and deliver quality projects over time, not just deliver one-off activities.
What types of sub-grantee activities are allowed?
The opportunity is flexible as long as projects fit the program themes that PAS sets for the year (themes were to be determined at the time of posting). Examples listed include workshops and trainings, courses, public debates, conferences, simulations or role-playing exercises, TED Talk-style events, hackathons, online initiatives, public awareness campaigns, podcasts, summer camps, cross-border exchanges, curriculum development, exhibits, and other comparable activities.
Do sub-grantee projects have to be implemented in a specific location?
Serbia is the priority region, and activities can occur anywhere in the country. The overall intent is national impact through better-informed audiences and stronger media-related civic engagement.
Who is the managing organization expected to target as potential sub-grantees?
The managing organization is expected to target potential sub-grantees across Serbia, including not-for-profit entities such as journalist associations, civil society organizations and NGOs, think tanks, educational institutions, and media outlets.
Can individuals receive sub-grants?
Yes. Individuals may be eligible as sub-grantees, including alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs, as long as they can demonstrate the capacity and track record to deliver the proposed activities.
What types of projects are explicitly not eligible for funding?
PAS states that projects are not eligible if they involve partisan political activity; charitable or humanitarian aid distribution; fundraising campaigns; commercial or profit-making ventures (including efforts that support a current or future business); or the provision of social services such as health care, child care, food subsidies, or similar assistance.
Does the program fund partisan political activities?
No. Projects involving partisan political activity are not eligible.
Does the program fund charity, humanitarian aid, or social service delivery?
No. The opportunity states it will not fund charitable or humanitarian aid distribution, or social services such as health care, child care, food subsidies, or similar assistance.
Can the funding be used for fundraising or commercial ventures?
No. Fundraising campaigns and commercial or profit-making ventures are listed as ineligible, including efforts that support a current or future business.
What is the performance period for the primary award?
The overall performance period is up to 24 months. This is intended to cover launching the sub-grant competition, implementing and completing sub-grantee projects, conducting assessment and evaluation, and submitting the final report under the cooperative agreement.
When was the opportunity posted and what was the closing date?
It was posted on March 17, 2021, with an original closing date of April 20, 2021.
What are the expected key dates for award decisions and project start?
PAS expected a final funding decision by May 5, 2021. The anticipated start date was no earlier than May 15, 2021.
What is the opportunity number and CFDA listing?
The opportunity number is SRB10021FO003, and the CFDA listing is 19.900.
How do applicants access the application materials?
Application materials are provided through the Embassy's grants webpage.
How were applications submitted?
Submissions were to be emailed to belgradepress@state.gov.
Was there an information session for prospective applicants?
Yes. PAS scheduled a virtual information session on March 31, 2021 at 16:00 CET to walk applicants through the opportunity and answer questions.
Was a recording of the information session made available?
Yes. A recording was to be posted afterward for those who could not attend live.
Are the program themes specified in the opportunity description?
The opportunity notes that sub-grantee projects must fit the program themes that PAS sets for the year, but those themes were to be determined at the time of posting.
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