Opportunity Information: Apply for SMK800 17 PAS 01
The Community Engagement Grants Annual Program Statement (Funding Opportunity Number SMK800 17 PAS 01) is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Skopje Public Affairs Section public diplomacy funding opportunity designed to support projects that strengthen mutual understanding between the United States and Macedonia and that visibly advance the bilateral relationship. The program is offered as discretionary funding and can be awarded as either a grant or a cooperative agreement, meaning selected projects may involve varying degrees of collaboration or oversight by the Embassy depending on the specific award structure. The overall focus is on people-to-people engagement and public-facing activities that highlight U.S. experience, values, expertise, and culture in ways that are relevant to Macedonian communities.
The opportunity prioritizes proposals connected to several key topic areas. These include entrepreneurship and innovation, efforts aimed at countering violent extremism, initiatives that promote cultural diversity, and programming that empowers underserved communities. In practical terms, the Embassy is looking for ideas that create constructive dialogue, develop skills and leadership, broaden participation for groups that do not always have access to high-quality opportunities, and build stronger community resilience through education and engagement tied to American themes or U.S.-Macedonia cooperation.
Typical activities supported under this program are centered on events, learning experiences, and media that reach communities in Macedonia. Strong examples include youth engagement, leadership, and education programs, particularly those that build connections or exchanges between young people in Macedonia and the United States. The program also commonly supports bringing an American expert speaker or performer to Macedonia, which can include specialists who can deliver lectures, trainings, demonstrations, performances, or other public programming. Additional eligible formats include conferences, workshops, forums, panel discussions, and master classes focused on American themes or issues of shared interest to both countries. The Embassy is also open to exhibitions featuring works by Americans or exhibitions built around American themes, as well as cultural programs that intentionally target youth and underserved communities. Finally, the opportunity recognizes the value of communications and outreach, so television and social media programming may be funded when it directly supports the objectives above and contributes to broader public diplomacy impact.
At the same time, the program clearly identifies several categories of activities that are generally not funded. Proposals centered on printing or promoting books or manuscripts are typically excluded, as are requests for travel to the United States for professional development. The Embassy also does not usually fund ongoing salary costs or office equipment, which signals a preference for project-based expenses rather than general organizational operating support. Funds are also not intended to pay to complete activities that were started using other funding sources, and projects framed primarily as promotion of the local arts scene (rather than engagement around American themes or bilateral understanding) are generally not a fit.
The restrictions are particularly firm around political, commercial, and religious activity. Projects that are inherently political in nature, or that could appear partisan or supportive of individual candidates or single-party electoral campaigns, are not typically supported, and political party activities are excluded. The program also does not fund fundraising campaigns, commercial or trade activities, citizen exchange programs (as a separate category distinct from the kinds of youth connections described earlier), or social welfare projects. In addition, projects that support religious activities are not typically funded, reflecting a focus on nonsectarian public diplomacy programming rather than faith-based promotion.
From an administrative standpoint, the program is listed under CFDA 19.040 and includes funding activity categories such as arts, community development, education, and other public diplomacy related areas. The opportunity was created on January 3, 2017, with an original closing date of July 15, 2017. Awards under this announcement have a ceiling of $20,000, and the Embassy anticipated making around 10 awards, indicating relatively small, competitive grants intended to support targeted, high-impact projects rather than large multi-year efforts. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional details typically provided in the full announcement, but the overall design suggests the program aims to attract capable implementers that can deliver credible public programming and demonstrate measurable engagement outcomes aligned with U.S.-Macedonia relationship-building goals.Apply for SMK800 17 PAS 01
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Macedonia in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), community development, education, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community Engagement Grants - Annual Program Statement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 03, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 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 $20,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Community Engagement Grants Annual Program Statement (SMK800 17 PAS 01): FAQs
What is the Community Engagement Grants Annual Program Statement?
It is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Skopje Public Affairs Section public diplomacy funding opportunity designed to support projects that strengthen mutual understanding between the United States and Macedonia and that visibly advance the bilateral relationship.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SMK800 17 PAS 01.
Who is offering this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy Skopje Public Affairs Section.
What is the main goal of the program?
The main goal is to fund public-facing, people-to-people engagement projects that highlight U.S. experience, values, expertise, and culture in ways that are relevant to Macedonian communities, while strengthening U.S.-Macedonia mutual understanding and the bilateral relationship.
What does "public diplomacy" mean in the context of this opportunity?
Based on the description provided, the program funds activities aimed at engaging the public and communities through dialogue, education, cultural programming, and outreach that advance mutual understanding between the United States and Macedonia.
Is this funding a grant or a cooperative agreement?
Awards can be made as either a grant or a cooperative agreement. Selected projects may involve varying degrees of collaboration or oversight by the Embassy depending on the award structure.
What topics or themes are prioritized?
Priority topic areas include entrepreneurship and innovation, countering violent extremism, promoting cultural diversity, and empowering underserved communities.
What types of outcomes is the Embassy looking for?
The Embassy is looking for projects that create constructive dialogue, develop skills and leadership, broaden participation for groups that do not always have access to high-quality opportunities, and build stronger community resilience through education and engagement tied to American themes or U.S.-Macedonia cooperation.
What kinds of activities are typically supported?
Supported activities are centered on events, learning experiences, and media that reach communities in Macedonia. Examples include youth engagement, leadership, and education programs; bringing an American expert speaker or performer to Macedonia; conferences, workshops, forums, panel discussions, and master classes; exhibitions featuring works by Americans or exhibitions built around American themes; cultural programs targeting youth and underserved communities; and television and social media programming that directly supports the program objectives.
Does the program support youth-focused projects?
Yes. Youth engagement, leadership, and education programs are specifically identified as strong examples, especially those that build connections or exchanges between young people in Macedonia and the United States.
Can applicants propose bringing a U.S. speaker, trainer, or performer to Macedonia?
Yes. The program commonly supports bringing an American expert speaker or performer to Macedonia, including specialists who can provide lectures, trainings, demonstrations, performances, or other public programming.
Are conferences, workshops, and similar events eligible?
Yes. Conferences, workshops, forums, panel discussions, and master classes focused on American themes or issues of shared interest to both countries are described as eligible formats.
Are exhibitions and cultural programs eligible?
Yes. The Embassy is open to exhibitions featuring works by Americans or exhibitions built around American themes, as well as cultural programs that intentionally target youth and underserved communities.
Can television or social media programming be funded?
Yes, television and social media programming may be funded when it directly supports the objectives of strengthening mutual understanding and contributes to broader public diplomacy impact.
What types of activities are generally not funded?
Activities generally not funded include printing or promoting books or manuscripts; travel to the United States for professional development; ongoing salary costs; office equipment; completing activities that were started using other funding sources; and projects framed primarily as promotion of the local arts scene rather than engagement around American themes or bilateral understanding.
Is travel to the United States supported under this opportunity?
Requests for travel to the United States for professional development are typically excluded under this program.
Does the program provide general operating support (like salaries or office equipment)?
No. The Embassy does not usually fund ongoing salary costs or office equipment, indicating a preference for project-based expenses rather than general organizational operating support.
Can the grant be used to finish a project that already started with other funding?
No. Funds are not intended to pay to complete activities that were started using other funding sources.
Are projects that mainly promote local arts eligible?
Projects framed primarily as promotion of the local arts scene (rather than engagement around American themes or bilateral understanding) are generally not considered a fit.
Are political activities allowed?
No. Projects that are inherently political in nature, or that could appear partisan or supportive of individual candidates or single-party electoral campaigns, are not typically supported. Political party activities are excluded.
Are commercial or trade activities eligible for funding?
No. The program does not fund commercial or trade activities.
Does the program fund fundraising campaigns?
No. Fundraising campaigns are not funded under this opportunity.
Are citizen exchange programs funded?
No. Citizen exchange programs (as a separate category) are explicitly listed among activities not funded.
Does the program fund social welfare projects?
No. Social welfare projects are listed among activities that are not funded.
Are religious activities eligible?
No. Projects that support religious activities are not typically funded, reflecting a focus on nonsectarian public diplomacy programming.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.040.
What kinds of program areas does this opportunity cover?
The funding activity categories listed include arts, community development, education, and other public diplomacy related areas.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $20,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
The Embassy anticipated making around 10 awards.
Is this a large, multi-year funding opportunity?
No. The description indicates relatively small, competitive grants intended to support targeted, high-impact projects rather than large multi-year efforts.
When was the opportunity created and when was it originally due?
The opportunity was created on January 3, 2017, with an original closing date of July 15, 2017.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional details typically provided in the full announcement. Based on the description, the program is designed to attract implementers able to deliver credible public programming and demonstrate measurable engagement outcomes aligned with U.S.-Macedonia relationship-building goals.
What geographic focus does the program emphasize?
The program emphasizes activities that reach communities in Macedonia and are relevant to Macedonian communities, while strengthening mutual understanding with the United States.
How important is alignment with American themes or U.S.-Macedonia cooperation?
It is central. Proposed activities are expected to highlight U.S. experience, values, expertise, and culture, and to connect clearly to mutual understanding and the bilateral relationship rather than unrelated community programming.
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