Opportunity Information: Apply for AL 17 004
The "Schools as Community Centers" Pilot (Funding Opportunity Number AL 17 004) is a discretionary grant opportunity announced by the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Albania (U.S. Department of State). The program is offered pending the availability of funds and is intended to support a single pilot project that uses a school-based community center model to reduce risks tied to radicalization and violent extremism, particularly among youth and other vulnerable groups. The overall idea is to turn a school into a practical hub for community engagement, where structured, positive activities can reach young people and the wider public in an accessible, trusted setting.
The grant calls for a proposal that designs and implements this model in pilot form in one selected region of Albania, specifically in an area considered among the most problematic in terms of radicalization and violent extremism concerns. Applicants are expected to choose the pilot location strategically and build a local ecosystem around the school that makes the center functional and relevant. This includes creating partnerships with a local school and also working closely with cultural centers, the regional education directorate, the municipality, and other local authorities, with law enforcement included as a partner where appropriate. A key deliverable is identifying and designating suitable physical spaces within the target community where programming and engagement can take place, effectively making the school and its partner spaces a shared platform for outreach.
A core operational requirement is sustainability planning through formal coordination mechanisms. The opportunity highlights the use of joint use agreements with partner organizations and the regional education directorate to support continued operation of the center beyond the initial pilot period. In other words, the project is not only expected to run activities, but also to set up the administrative and partnership structure that allows the community center concept to keep working after the grant ends. Programming should be tailored to the specific local drivers of violent extremism in the chosen area, implying that proposals should be grounded in local context and focus on interventions that make sense for that community rather than relying on generic activities.
The pilot is also framed as a foundation for scaling. By the end of the project, the established community center should serve as a model that can be replicated in other regions of Albania. The opportunity is explicitly aligned with the Albanian Government's national strategic priority on community outreach and engagement to counter violent extremism, emphasizing education-based approaches that promote critical thinking, civic participation, and tolerance. From a funder perspective, this places the project at the intersection of education, community development, and prevention-focused public safety work.
Administratively, the opportunity is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) under CFDA 19.900, with an award ceiling of $50,000 and an expectation of one award. The original posting date is August 15, 2017, with an original closing date of September 15, 2017. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" (with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice), suggesting that nontraditional applicants may be considered depending on the NOFO's specific eligibility language.Apply for AL 17 004
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Albania in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "“Schools as Community Centers” Pilot" 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 Aug 15, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 15, 2017. (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 $50,000.00 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Schools as Community Centers Pilot (Funding Opportunity Number AL 17 004)
What is the "Schools as Community Centers" Pilot?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity announced by the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Albania (U.S. Department of State) to support one pilot project that uses a school-based community center model to help reduce risks tied to radicalization and violent extremism, especially among youth and other vulnerable groups.
Who is funding and administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is announced by the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Albania, under the U.S. Department of State.
What is the main goal of the pilot project?
The main goal is to turn a school into a practical hub for community engagement where structured, positive activities can reach young people and the wider public in an accessible, trusted setting, with the intent of reducing risks associated with radicalization and violent extremism.
How many awards are expected?
The notice indicates an expectation of one award, supporting a single pilot project.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $50,000.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a Grant.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.900.
Is this opportunity guaranteed to be funded?
No. The program is offered pending the availability of funds.
Where must the pilot be implemented?
The pilot is to be designed and implemented in one selected region of Albania, specifically in an area considered among the most problematic in terms of radicalization and violent extremism concerns.
How should applicants choose the pilot location?
Applicants are expected to choose the pilot location strategically, focusing on a region identified as particularly problematic regarding radicalization and violent extremism concerns, and to ground the approach in the local context of that community.
What does the "school-based community center model" mean in this grant?
It refers to using a school as a shared platform and practical hub for community engagement, where structured activities and outreach can take place for youth and the broader community, supported by partnerships and designated physical spaces.
What kinds of activities should the pilot provide?
Programming should be structured and positive and should be tailored to the specific local drivers of violent extremism in the chosen area. The notice emphasizes avoiding generic, one-size-fits-all activities in favor of interventions that make sense for the local community.
Who are the key partners expected for the pilot?
The opportunity calls for building partnerships with a local school and working closely with cultural centers, the regional education directorate, the municipality, and other local authorities. Law enforcement is included as a partner where appropriate.
Are partnerships required, or just recommended?
The notice frames partnership-building as an expectation of the pilot design, including coordination with the school and multiple local institutions to create a functional local ecosystem around the community center model.
What physical spaces are required for the project?
A key deliverable is identifying and designating suitable physical spaces within the target community where programming and engagement can take place. This effectively makes the school and its partner spaces a shared platform for outreach.
Does the project have to be sustainable after the grant ends?
Yes. The opportunity highlights sustainability planning through formal coordination mechanisms so the community center concept can continue beyond the initial pilot period.
What is meant by "formal coordination mechanisms" for sustainability?
The opportunity specifically highlights the use of joint use agreements with partner organizations and the regional education directorate to support continued operation of the center beyond the pilot period.
What is a "joint use agreement" in the context of this pilot?
Based on the notice, a joint use agreement is a formal arrangement with partner organizations and the regional education directorate intended to support ongoing shared use, coordination, and continued operation of the community center model after the grant period.
Is law enforcement required to be a partner?
Law enforcement is included as a partner where appropriate, suggesting it may be relevant depending on the local context and project design.
What is the intended long-term impact beyond the pilot site?
By the end of the project, the established community center is expected to serve as a model that can be replicated in other regions of Albania, positioning the pilot as a foundation for scaling.
How does this pilot align with Albanian government priorities?
The opportunity is explicitly aligned with the Albanian Government's national strategic priority on community outreach and engagement to counter violent extremism, emphasizing education-based approaches that promote critical thinking, civic participation, and tolerance.
Is the project focused only on students?
No. While youth are a particular focus, the model is described as a hub for community engagement intended to reach young people and the wider public, including other vulnerable groups.
What is the role of the school in the proposed model?
The school is intended to function as an accessible, trusted setting and a central hub for structured community programming, supported by partnerships and designated spaces for engagement.
Does the notice require working with education authorities?
Yes. The opportunity references coordination with the regional education directorate and highlights joint use agreements with the regional education directorate as part of sustainability planning.
What is the posting date and closing date listed in the notice?
The original posting date is August 15, 2017, and the original closing date is September 15, 2017.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice. This suggests that nontraditional applicants may be considered depending on the specific eligibility language in the NOFO.
Does this summary include all eligibility requirements?
No. The information provided indicates that additional eligibility details are referenced in the full notice, so the complete eligibility requirements would be found there.
What is the expected scope of the pilot?
The scope described is a single pilot implementation in one selected Albanian region, including design and implementation of a school-based community center model, partnership formation, identification of physical spaces, locally tailored programming, and formal sustainability planning mechanisms.
What does it mean that the grant is "discretionary"?
In the context provided, it indicates this is a discretionary grant opportunity announced by the Embassy's Public Affairs Office, offered pending availability of funds, and intended to fund one selected pilot proposal.
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