The U.S. Embassy Belgrade announces an open competition for individuals and organizations to submit applications to carry out grant projects in support of our English Language Program in Serbia. Please carefully follow all instructions outlined below in this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
In light of social distancing and restrictions imposed to stop the spread of COVID-10, the U.S. Embassy welcomes creative proposals that utilize video conferencing, distance learning tools, etc.
Program Objectives
The U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section (PAS) has set aside funds for English Language Program Grants designated to help the citizens of Serbia strengthen their system of education, promote entrepreneurship and economic development, increase civic engagement, promote regional cooperation and stability, and make progress toward Serbia’s accession into the European Union. Grant projects take any number of forms, including English language camps, conferences, workshops, courses, hackathons, online projects, or other activities.
Program Themes
The following list represents the project themes that will receive preferential treatment during the English Language Program Grants committee’s review of submitted proposals. However, proposals covering other topics will naturally be considered.
- IMPROVING ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION WITHIN SERBIA. For example, through projects which: support development and improvement of English language teaching at all levels (K-12 and university), as well as English for Specific Purposes (ESP), i.e., for people in certain professions or areas of interest; model, disseminate information on, and enable access to current/innovative trends, methodologies, tools, and technologies in English language instruction, including those that assist with distance learning; establish or strengthen connections between U.S. and Serbian and/or Serbian and regional (Western Balkan) teaching professionals and institutions;
- SUPPORTING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDs).
- HELPING SERBIAN CITIZENS GET JOBS, PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. For example, through projects which: help Serbian citizens develop English language skills in order to find jobs. Beneficiaries may include economically disadvantaged students and adults, residents of rural communities, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and members of other vulnerable populations; support entrepreneurship and innovation, including in STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics); assist cultural and historical sites attract more English-speaking visitors and thereby promote local tourism and economic development;
- MAKING PROGRESS TOWARD EU ACCESSION. For example, through projects which: assist Serbian officials and civil servants improve the English language skills needed to accelerate progress toward EU integration; help Serbian society and the citizens of Serbia make progress toward EU accession in the areas of human rights protection, media freedom, environmental issues, rule of law, combating corruption, etc.
- PROMOTING REGIONAL COOPERATION AND STABILITY. For example, through projects which use English to: promote mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect among peoples of the Western Balkans; identify joint approaches to solving problems or challenges facing the Western Balkan region; support the normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade; expand and strengthen ties of Serbian professional societies and civil society organizations with their English-speaking counterparts abroad, especially in the Balkan region;
- HIGHLIGHTING U.S.-SERBIAN CONNECTIONS. For example, through projects which inform and educate audiences in Serbia about historical and cultural ties, common attitudes and values, cooperation in different sectors (economic, political, security, health, science), the intersection of national interests, etc.
- STRENGTHENING CRITICAL THINKING AND MEDIA LITERACY SKILLS.
For more information please read: English Language Programs Notice of Funding Opportunity 2020. All the documents related to this NOFO can be found on the right hand side of this page.