Inclusive Cultures: Promoting Respect for All

Executive Summary:

The Embassy of the United States of America, Bishkek, announces an open competition to implement a program to support equal access to public services, educational institutions, and economic opportunities for all peoples, including minorities and marginalized groups.

This program supports an inclusive society and vibrant, effective civic engagement by competitively awarding cooperative agreements to nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and associations, civil society organizations (CSOs), educational institutions and independent local media organizations in the Kyrgyz Republic. Respect for others is a shared value between the Kyrgyz and American people, but understanding of and sensitivity toward diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) concepts remains limited in the Kyrgyz Republic. By promoting understanding of DEIA concepts, this project will advance U.S. foreign policy priorities to reduce discrimination and advance the human rights of historically marginalized groups.

Background:

The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic is soliciting applications for cooperative agreements that focus on the requirements below. Applicants should pay close attention to PDS priority goal/s, program areas, target audiences, and geographic location when developing their proposals. The full proposal package comprises of six documents, including the narrative proposal template and the short budget proposal. The narrative proposal template cannot exceed three pages, otherwise the package will be disqualified from consideration. In addition, if the package does not contain the required six documents, it will be disqualified from consideration.

Over the past year, PDS has implemented two initiatives focused on accessibility and promoting DEIA terminology in the Kyrgyz language: 1) DEIA Kyrgyz-language flashmob with local Kyrgyz-speaking social media influencers; and 2) Installation of the elevator specifically designed for wheelchair users. This funding opportunity seeks to support projects promoting respect for human rights in the Kyrgyz Republic. Potential projects may include, but not limited to:

• Expanding and popularizing DEIA terminology in the Kyrgyz language: Translating existing resources and DEIA-related vocabulary, developing educational materials.
• Engaging youth in DEIA initiatives: Developing innovative ways to promote DEIA values among the local youth.
• Integrating DEIA terminology into public discourse: Organizing workshops or events that introduce DEIA terminology and promote DEIA values in Kyrgyz in the public lexicon;
• Facilitating collaboration with Kyrgyz language experts: Organizing workshops and collaborative initiatives with the State Kyrgyz Language Committee and Kyrgyz language experts and language enthusiasts.

Project Goal: Increase support for equal access to services, educational institutions, and economic opportunities for all peoples, including minorities and marginalized groups, by promoting understanding of DEIA concepts.

Project Audience(s):

Primary

• Kyrgyz-speaking general public
• Kyrgyz speaking rural audience
• Underserved and vulnerable populations in rural regions

Secondary

• Traditional and social media representatives
• Local ministries and state agencies

Project Objectives: Project proposals may address one or more of these objectives or propose other objectives that support the goal above.

Within 12 months:

1) Raise awareness and understanding of DEIA concepts and terminology in Kyrgyz language among the rural Kyrgyz population

2) Facilitate networking and collaboration between U.S. and Kyrgyz language state agencies and institutions to share best practices and develop joint strategies to promote DEIA concepts and principles through roundtables, networking events, and other initiatives.

3) Equip at least 20 journalists, bloggers, influencers, and content creators with the ability to create media content that amplifies DEIA concepts and principles of inclusion.