Opportunity Information: Apply for STATE BISHKEK PAS 22 0002
The U.S. Embassy-Bishkek Democracy Commission Small Grants Program (Funding Opportunity Number: STATE BISHKEK PAS 22 0002) is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity offered through the U.S. Mission to Kyrgyzstan. It is designed to support locally relevant projects in the Kyrgyz Republic that address pressing social, economic, and governance challenges, with an emphasis on practical, measurable results within a 12-month implementation period. The program anticipates making around 20 awards, with individual grants capped at $50,000. The opportunity was posted on February 2, 2022, with an original closing date of March 20, 2022, and is listed under CFDA/Assistance Listing 19.900. Eligible applicants are described broadly as "Others" (with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice).
The grant is organized around five priority program areas, and proposals may target one or more objectives within a chosen area. The first priority area, Advancing Business Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship, focuses on strengthening conditions for economic growth, particularly in response to rural poverty, limited job-ready skills, and weak access to economic opportunities and resources. Example project goals include building the skills of at least 50 current or aspiring women entrepreneurs (potentially in fields like IT), helping at least 20 rural young adults (ages 18-35) access high-quality IT career pathways through training and mentorship or internships, and improving sustainable business practices among at least 30 small business owners through mentorship or speaker and exchange-style learning. It also encourages initiatives that improve public-private cooperation by convening at least 30 representatives from government agencies and business associations, and hands-on support that helps at least 50 entrepreneurs use digital tools and online resources to market and grow their businesses.
The second priority area, Promoting Democratic Institutions, aims to strengthen inclusive and accountable democratic practices by addressing weak information flows, low media literacy (especially in rural areas), limited understanding of rule of law and civic engagement, and capacity gaps among civil society organizations (CSOs), including weak planning, project management, monitoring and evaluation, communications, partnership-building, and financial sustainability. Suggested targets include increasing civic participation awareness among at least 200 secondary or university students through activities such as debates, advocacy initiatives, leadership programs, and rule-of-law education. Projects can also train at least 150 rural youth to better recognize and respond to misinformation and fake news, and support at least 7 regional youth leadership initiatives connected to environmental challenges and/or government accountability in cooperation with local self-governments and councils. Additional objectives include establishing longer-term civic education partnerships that engage at least 150 high school students, improving access to public services in rural communities by strengthening cooperation between local authorities and civil society, helping at least 8 rural or lower-capacity CSOs develop stronger communication strategies (including effective use of traditional and social media), and building networking and mentoring structures that connect at least 8 rural NGOs with each other and with local government bodies.
The third priority area, Combatting Gender-Based Violence, supports efforts to prevent and respond to GBV by tackling entrenched gender stereotypes, economic vulnerability, and the normalization of violence. The program encourages initiatives such as online campaigns promoting positive masculinity and respectful relationships, programs directly engaging at least 100 men and boys around non-violence, respect, and equality, and economic empowerment or personal development support for at least 100 vulnerable women and GBV survivors. It also supports stronger civic participation and coordination on GBV policy responses by engaging local authorities and at least 5 civil society organizations, as well as capacity-building for government decision-makers to improve implementation of existing domestic violence legislation.
The fourth priority area, Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE), is intended to expand resilience-focused prevention work across the Kyrgyz Republic. It responds to issues like low community belonging and civic engagement, limited media literacy and critical thinking needed to reject extremist narratives, and insufficient PVE capacity and coordination between civil society and government. Illustrative objectives include launching at least 5 media or social media campaigns that promote tolerance, diversity, and inclusion through positive messaging and counter-narratives; training at least 50 young people (ages 14-28) in rural or newly urbanizing communities to identify and critically assess extremist online content; and creating community development opportunities for at least 25 youth in the same age group that build intergroup trust and strengthen connection to their communities using credible local voices. Projects may also focus on improving the ability of local government and civil society actors to coordinate and collaborate more effectively on preventing radicalization and extremism.
The fifth priority area, Countering Trafficking in Persons (CTIP), builds on earlier anti-trafficking work and seeks to strengthen systems and awareness related to trafficking risks, illegal migration, and migrant rights. Key needs highlighted include the lack of approved standard operating procedures (SOPs) for state bodies to implement the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), limited capacity among local officials and NGO representatives to identify victims using established criteria, and low public awareness of trafficking dynamics (including technology-facilitated trafficking). Suggested outcomes include training 50 relevant government officials and members of the national database of CTIP NGOs on the NRM and SOP-defined roles, forming a coordinated network of at least 5 anti-trafficking civil society organizations, and delivering awareness and digital safety education to at least 100 current or prospective labor migrants (especially at-risk youth and women). The program also encourages ethical and professional reporting by building the capacity of at least 5 journalists or media professionals, including understanding traffickers' technology-enabled methods and victim protection considerations.
Overall, this small grants program is structured to fund focused, results-driven projects that can show concrete progress within a year, especially in rural and underserved communities. Across all five areas, the recurring themes are capacity-building, practical skills development, stronger collaboration between civil society and government, and targeted outreach that improves knowledge, protection, and opportunity for groups that face higher barriers such as women, youth, migrants, and rural populations.Apply for STATE BISHKEK PAS 22 0002
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kyrgyzstan in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy-Bishkek Democracy Commission Small Grants Program" 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 Feb 02, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 20, 2022. (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 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs: U.S. Embassy-Bishkek Democracy Commission Small Grants Program (STATE BISHKEK PAS 22 0002)
What is the U.S. Embassy-Bishkek Democracy Commission Small Grants Program?
It is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity offered through the U.S. Mission to Kyrgyzstan (U.S. Embassy Bishkek). The program supports locally relevant projects in the Kyrgyz Republic that address social, economic, and governance challenges, with an emphasis on practical, measurable results achieved within a 12-month implementation period.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is STATE BISHKEK PAS 22 0002.
Which federal program listing applies to this opportunity?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA/Assistance Listing 19.900.
When was this funding opportunity posted and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was posted on February 2, 2022. The original closing date was March 20, 2022.
How many awards does the program expect to make?
The program anticipates making around 20 awards.
What is the maximum grant amount per award?
Individual grants are capped at $50,000.
How long can a project run under this program?
Projects are expected to be implemented within a 12-month period.
Where must projects take place?
The program is designed to support projects in the Kyrgyz Republic, including a strong emphasis on rural and underserved communities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are described broadly as "Others." Additional eligibility details are referenced in the full notice.
What types of projects does the program prioritize overall?
The program prioritizes focused, results-driven projects that can demonstrate concrete progress within one year. Recurring themes across priorities include capacity-building, practical skills development, improved collaboration between civil society and government, and targeted outreach to groups facing higher barriers (such as women, youth, migrants, and rural populations).
What are the priority program areas?
The grant is organized around five priority program areas: (1) Advancing Business Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship, (2) Promoting Democratic Institutions, (3) Combatting Gender-Based Violence, (4) Preventing Violent Extremism, and (5) Countering Trafficking in Persons.
Can a proposal address more than one priority area or objective?
Yes. Proposals may target one or more objectives within a chosen priority area, and the notice indicates proposals may target one or more objectives within an area.
What does the program mean by "practical, measurable results"?
The opportunity emphasizes outcomes that can be demonstrated within 12 months and includes example targets such as training specific numbers of participants, convening specific numbers of stakeholders, launching campaigns, and building networks or partnerships with clear participation goals.
What is Priority Area 1: Advancing Business Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship focused on?
This area focuses on strengthening conditions for economic growth, particularly responding to rural poverty, limited job-ready skills, and weak access to economic opportunities and resources.
What are examples of measurable targets under Priority Area 1?
Examples include: building the skills of at least 50 current or aspiring women entrepreneurs (including possible fields like IT); helping at least 20 rural young adults (ages 18-35) access high-quality IT career pathways through training and mentorship and/or internships; improving sustainable business practices among at least 30 small business owners through mentorship or speaker and exchange-style learning; convening at least 30 representatives from government agencies and business associations to improve public-private cooperation; and providing hands-on support to help at least 50 entrepreneurs use digital tools and online resources to market and grow their businesses.
Does Priority Area 1 encourage projects related to digital tools and online marketing?
Yes. The program explicitly encourages hands-on support that helps at least 50 entrepreneurs use digital tools and online resources to market and grow their businesses.
What age group is highlighted for rural young adults in Priority Area 1?
The example target for rural young adults focuses on ages 18-35.
What does Priority Area 2: Promoting Democratic Institutions focus on?
This area aims to strengthen inclusive and accountable democratic practices by addressing weak information flows, low media literacy (especially in rural areas), limited understanding of rule of law and civic engagement, and capacity gaps among civil society organizations (CSOs) such as planning, project management, monitoring and evaluation, communications, partnership-building, and financial sustainability.
What are examples of student-focused activities under Priority Area 2?
Suggested activities include debates, advocacy initiatives, leadership programs, and rule-of-law education designed to increase civic participation awareness among at least 200 secondary or university students.
Are media literacy and misinformation response activities supported under Priority Area 2?
Yes. An example objective is training at least 150 rural youth to better recognize and respond to misinformation and fake news.
Does Priority Area 2 include environmental or accountability-oriented youth initiatives?
Yes. The program suggests supporting at least 7 regional youth leadership initiatives connected to environmental challenges and/or government accountability, implemented in cooperation with local self-governments and councils.
What kinds of partnerships are encouraged under Priority Area 2?
Examples include longer-term civic education partnerships engaging at least 150 high school students and cooperation between local authorities and civil society to improve access to public services in rural communities.
Are projects to strengthen CSO communications and media use included in Priority Area 2?
Yes. One objective is helping at least 8 rural or lower-capacity CSOs develop stronger communication strategies, including effective use of traditional and social media.
Does Priority Area 2 support networking among rural NGOs?
Yes. The program mentions building networking and mentoring structures connecting at least 8 rural NGOs with each other and with local government bodies.
What does Priority Area 3: Combatting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) focus on?
This area supports efforts to prevent and respond to GBV by tackling entrenched gender stereotypes, economic vulnerability, and the normalization of violence.
What are examples of GBV prevention and response activities under Priority Area 3?
Illustrative initiatives include online campaigns promoting positive masculinity and respectful relationships; programs directly engaging at least 100 men and boys around non-violence, respect, and equality; and economic empowerment or personal development support for at least 100 vulnerable women and GBV survivors.
Does Priority Area 3 encourage coordination with local authorities and civil society on GBV policy responses?
Yes. It supports stronger civic participation and coordination on GBV policy responses by engaging local authorities and at least 5 civil society organizations.
Does Priority Area 3 include support for improving implementation of domestic violence legislation?
Yes. It includes capacity-building for government decision-makers to improve implementation of existing domestic violence legislation.
What does Priority Area 4: Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) focus on?
This area aims to expand resilience-focused prevention work across the Kyrgyz Republic. It responds to low community belonging and civic engagement, limited media literacy and critical thinking to reject extremist narratives, and insufficient PVE capacity and coordination between civil society and government.
What are examples of campaign-based activities under Priority Area 4?
An illustrative objective is launching at least 5 media or social media campaigns that promote tolerance, diversity, and inclusion through positive messaging and counter-narratives.
What youth age range is highlighted for PVE training and activities?
The example objectives highlight youth ages 14-28, particularly in rural or newly urbanizing communities.
What are examples of measurable PVE training and engagement targets?
Examples include training at least 50 young people (ages 14-28) to identify and critically assess extremist online content and creating community development opportunities for at least 25 youth in the same age range to build intergroup trust and strengthen community connection using credible local voices.
Does Priority Area 4 support improved coordination between local government and civil society?
Yes. Projects may focus on improving the ability of local government and civil society actors to coordinate and collaborate more effectively on preventing radicalization and extremism.
What does Priority Area 5: Countering Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) focus on?
This area builds on earlier anti-trafficking work and seeks to strengthen systems and awareness related to trafficking risks, illegal migration, and migrant rights.
What specific system gaps does Priority Area 5 highlight?
Key needs include the lack of approved standard operating procedures (SOPs) for state bodies to implement the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), limited capacity among local officials and NGO representatives to identify victims using established criteria, and low public awareness of trafficking dynamics, including technology-facilitated trafficking.
What are examples of measurable CTIP outcomes supported by the program?
Suggested outcomes include training 50 relevant government officials and members of the national database of CTIP NGOs on the NRM and SOP-defined roles, forming a coordinated network of at least 5 anti-trafficking civil society organizations, and delivering awareness and digital safety education to at least 100 current or prospective labor migrants (especially at-risk youth and women).
Does Priority Area 5 include support for journalist or media professional training?
Yes. The program encourages ethical and professional reporting by building the capacity of at least 5 journalists or media professionals, including understanding traffickers' technology-enabled methods and victim protection considerations.
Which groups are repeatedly emphasized as priority audiences across the program?
Across all five areas, the opportunity repeatedly emphasizes women, youth, migrants, and rural populations, especially where these groups face higher barriers to protection, participation, and economic opportunity.
What kinds of stakeholder collaboration does the program encourage?
The opportunity highlights stronger collaboration between civil society and government, such as convenings between government agencies and business associations, cooperation with local self-governments and councils, coordination on GBV policy responses, and joint work on preventing violent extremism and improving public service access.
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