Opportunity Grants Program

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED "NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY" FOR FULL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION.

 A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Public Diplomacy Section of the Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU-PD) announces an open competition for a grant through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The Opportunity Grants Program is designed to partner with Palestinian non-profit organizations and individuals to implement activities which advance the organization’s or individual’s goals and the PAU-PD mission: to advance a comprehensive and lasting peace through a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the development of a vibrant, representative, and responsive Palestinian society, economy and system of governance through substantive engagement with American people, institutions, ideas and ideals in order to improve American-Palestinian relations and create greater opportunities for mutually beneficial partnership and cooperation.

Priority Region: Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza

Program Objectives:

Working primarily at the local level and using an evidence-based approach, all proposed projects must aim to advance the PAU-PD mission goals stated above, contain a substantive American element, and achieve at least one of the following specific objectives:

1.    Foster entrepreneurship, critical thinking, or problem-solving skills among Palestinian youth, young professionals, and educators, particularly with disadvantaged populations.

2.    Promote disability issues and rights, particularly in rural areas.

3.     Improve mutual understanding between Palestinians and Americans through the arts, culture, or sports, particularly in terms of promoting resiliency and mental health, diversity and inclusion, environmental protection, and a strong civil society. Activities may include joint performances, exhibits, workshops, tournaments, trainings, and projects/works.

4.    Support civil society organizations working on youth initiatives and civic participation, including to promote effective, nonviolent activism.

5.    Provide students with skills and experiences needed to be more competitive for higher education and employment opportunities. May include soft skills, English skills, technology skills and other skills that will prepare them for success.

6.    Support trade and economic growth through encouraging Palestinian businesses to adopt an outward orientation and integration into world supply chains. 

7.    Foster awareness and understanding of common/shared economic interests of Americans and Palestinians, encourage economic partnerships between Americans and Palestinians, and/or support the implementation of U.S. businesses practices within the Palestinian private sector, particularly inclusivity practices that encourage the participation of marginalized communities, youth, and women. 

8.    Address the gap between the skills of Palestinian university graduates and those necessary for graduates to compete in both the Palestinian and regional private sector, especially in high-tech markets, including by providing students and/or the workforce with education and vocational programs that will make them more competitive for employment opportunities. 

9.     Support gender advocacy, inclusivity, and empowerment, through training or awareness campaigns aimed at advancing gender parity and/or equity throughout society.

10. Promote exchange of expertise in health, social, and environmental sciences, particularly in support of marginalized communities, to equip local leaders and organizations with skills, networks, and knowledge to serve individuals and communities most at risk of not receiving support or social services.

11. Promote greater understanding of U.S. policy, culture, society, institutions, and best practices in industry and civil society.

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED "NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY" FOR FULL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION.