Democracy Commission Small Grants Program 2023

Democracy Commission Small Grants Program 2023 is open for application. U.S. Embassy Tbilisi announces an open competition for Democracy Commission Small Grants Program (DemCom). The United States was initiated in 1994 as a flexible mechanism to enable embassies to support local democratic initiatives in Central, and Eastern Europe, and the post-Soviet States.

The implementing body at each mission is the Democracy Commission, chaired by the Deputy Chief of Mission and includes the Public Affairs Officer, Cultural Affairs Officer, other Country Team members, and U.S. Government agencies’ representatives.

The purpose of the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program is to award grants for specific projects that support democracy, enhance the development of democratic institutions, and foster the education of civil society in Georgia. Grants will be awarded to non-governmental, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and media organizations based and registered in Georgia.

The project proposals must address at least one of the following themes:

ECONOMIC GROWTH:

• Rural Economic Development/Entrepreneurship Development/Social Entrepreneurship
• Sustainable Rural Development and Preservation of Cultural Heritage
• Tourism Development (Agro/Culinary Tourism, Eco-Tourism, Health and Wellness Tourism, Cultural Tourism, etc.)
• Basic Education
• Entrepreneurship Education in Higher Education Institutions

GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION:

• Women Empowerment
• Inclusion of Ethnic and Religious Minorities and other excluded or marginalized groups.
• Civic Integration of People with Disabilities/Inclusive Education
• Protection of Children’s Rights and Child Welfare

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND MORE INFORMED CITIZENRY:

• Journalism Education and Professionalism
• Regional Media Development
• Capacity Building and Advocacy for Local CSOs
• Cyber Security, Strategic Communications, and Digital Diplomacy

The grant award will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer.