FY 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity: NGO Small Grants Program

The U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia announces this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Slovenian civil society organizations. The Embassy continues to offer grants for well-conceived and managed projects that strengthen ties between the United States and Slovenia. Eligible topics for projects are broadly defined to include democracy and human rights, security and defense issues, and economic and business development. Successful proposals will strengthen understanding of the United States, including its society, politics, and values and support a priority theme listed below. Typically grant awards range from $3,000 to $5,000, though some exceptional projects are funded up to $10,000, and may supplement other funding. Organizations that have not been awarded grants previously are encouraged to apply. Funding for NGO grants is decided through a competitive application process. Each proposal is reviewed by an internal embassy committee to determine the project’s potential to advance U.S. policy priorities.

For this grant period, additional consideration will be given to project proposals focusing on the following themes:

· Regional and Transatlantic Cooperation – promoting strong transatlantic relations, with an emphasis on the U.S.–Slovenian bilateral relationship

· Economic Issues – especially entrepreneurship, innovation, economic reform, promotion of trade, women in STEAM

· International Security, Collective Security, and Defense Issues

· Energy Security and Diversification

· Environmental Issues – combating Climate Change, enhancing environmental preservation and sustainability

· Digitalization, Cyber Security, and Artificial Intelligence

· Countering Corruption, Good Governance, Strengthening Rule of Law, and Transparency

· Independent Media and Investigative Journalism – including media literacy and combating disinformation

· Human Rights – including tolerance, respect for diversity and inclusion, and support for historically marginalized communities and equal rights for all people

· Education – to establish and deepen partnerships between scholars and educational institutions

What are we looking for in a proposal?

· Programs that build and enhance relationships between Slovenia and the United States through bilateral cooperation, highlight shared values, and promote mutual understanding.

· Applications should have an American component. Projects which incorporate an American speaker, expert, author, etc., are often considered stronger.

· Sustainable projects with strong merit and clearly defined goals and outcomes.

· Projects that include acknowledgement of U.S. Embassy support and a plan to amplify our cooperation via traditional or digital media.

Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to: Slovenian not-for-profits/NGOs/social enterprises, Slovenian educational and research institutions, and public entities.