# Democracy Commission Small Grants Program

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/sti400-23-pds-aw-001-democracy-commission-small-grants-program/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/346578

> U.S. Mission to Tajikistan offered grants of up to $50,000 (at least $10,000) to the applicants described in the notice. Applications closed on April 14, 2023.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | STI400-23-PDS-AW-001 |
| Agency | U.S. Mission to Tajikistan |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | April 14, 2023 |
| Award ceiling | $50,000 |
| Award floor | $10,000 |
| Expected awards | not stated |
| Total funding | not stated |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 19.900 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

The following organizations are eligible to apply: • Not-for-profit organizations • For-profit organizations • Civil society/non-governmental organizations

## What the grant funds

Topic 1: Support for Independent Media Background: Current Situation & Problem Statement: As circulation and revenues from traditional media continue to fall, audiences and journalists increasingly turn to social media for information and profits, but few know how to effectively produce content for this medium that can compete with misinformation, propaganda, and extremist content. Additionally, many who want to pursue a career in journalism are unable to support themselves and their families financially, or are not able to express themselves freely, and as such, many promising young people who could become future leaders are left without a voice or an audience. Review of Past Projects: The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe previously supported projects that trained hundreds of journalists and bloggers, created platforms for their products, and also provided some equipment and studios to journalists. Projects under this funding opportunity will build on this foundation, expand the reach of current bloggers, expand access to studios, equipment, and materials for visual content, and help bloggers and journalists make more effective use of social media. Proposed Project Introduction: This funding opportunity seeks to: 1. Create and provide visual content for journalists and bloggers to use freely in their own reports, videos, and social media posts, 2. Create additional video and photo production studios and expand access to their resources, 3. Train journalists and bloggers on effective use of social media and provide small grants to those who show the most potential for long-term success, 4. Train social media influencers on topics of public interest and provide incentives for them to report on such topics as media professionals. Project Goal: To increase the capacity of independent bloggers and social media influencers to produce content that counters misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda Topic 2: Countering Violent Extremism Background: Current Situation & Problem Statement: People are increasingly radicalized through messages they receive through social media where radical voices are often more active, organized, and better funded than competing voices that advocate tolerance and non-violence. Young, poor, and marginalized people who are most susceptible to radicalization often look more to celebrities, athletes, and online imams for guidance than to their local community leaders.

## Questions people ask

### Is STI400-23-PDS-AW-001 still open?

No. It closed on April 14, 2023.

### Who can apply for Democracy Commission Small Grants Program?

U.S. Mission to Tajikistan accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Democracy Commission Small Grants Program?

Closed April 14, 2023. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $50,000 each.

### Who has won AEECA/ESF PD Programs grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were American Councils for International Education: Actr/Accels, Inc., Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees, International Research and Exchanges Board Inc. The program made 2,295 awards worth $192 million in that time.