FY 2019 Notice of Funding Opportunity: NGO Small Grants Program | DOS PAS SLO 2019 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS PAS SLO 2019 001

The FY 2019 Notice of Funding Opportunity: NGO Small Grants Program is a U.S. Department of State grant competition run by the U.S. Mission to Slovenia (U.S. Embassy Ljubljana) to support Slovenian civil society organizations and related eligible entities. The program is designed to fund practical, well-organized projects that strengthen Slovenia's civil society sector while also addressing societal needs that align with U.S. policy priorities. In addition to supporting community-facing outcomes, the Embassy is looking for projects that reinforce shared values and, where possible, visibly contribute to a stronger U.S.-Slovenia bilateral relationship.

This opportunity is a discretionary grant (Funding Opportunity Number: DOS PAS SLO 2019 001; CFDA: 19.040) and covers a wide range of activity areas, including business and commerce, community development, education, employment and workforce-related initiatives, energy, environmental work, legal and justice-related programming, regional development, and science and technology or other research and development efforts. The topics are intentionally broad, reflecting the Embassy's interest in supporting civil society initiatives that can credibly connect local challenges to larger democratic, economic, and security goals. Projects may address democracy and human rights, security and foreign policy issues, economic and civic development, and efforts that contribute to stability in Southeastern Europe.

Funding is intended to be small and catalytic. Typical awards are in the range of USD 3,000 to USD 5,000, with an award ceiling of USD 10,000 for exceptional proposals. The program generally functions as supplementary funding, meaning applicants can use it to complement other financial support or to help complete a specific, clearly defined set of activities rather than to underwrite large ongoing operations. The Embassy anticipated making about 20 awards under this round, reinforcing that this is a competitive process where a clear plan, realistic budget, and strong alignment with priorities matter.

Proposals are selected through a competitive review. Each submission is evaluated by an internal Embassy committee, and the central criterion is how effectively the proposed project advances U.S. policy priorities while delivering concrete local value. The Notice also makes it clear that organizations that have not previously received Embassy grant funding are encouraged to apply, which can be helpful for newer or less-established groups that still have a strong concept and the capacity to execute.

While many subjects are eligible, the Embassy stated that additional consideration would be given to proposals that match specific themes for this grant period. These include countering corruption and improving governance (including rule of law and transparency), entrepreneurship and innovation (including economic reform and trade promotion), environmental protection, energy security and diversification, and international security topics such as counter-terrorism and defense issues. The priority list also highlights human rights programming, explicitly including support for LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, minority populations, and women's empowerment. Other favored themes include youth engagement and volunteerism (and corporate social responsibility), responsible and independent media, regional cooperation and the integration of Southeastern European countries into trans-Atlantic institutions, and the integration of refugees and migrants alongside respect for diversity and multiculturalism.

A notable preference in this announcement is for proposals that incorporate a meaningful U.S. component. In practice, that can include elements such as collaboration with U.S. experts or institutions, exchanges, American speaker participation, use of U.S.-based best practices, or programming that clearly builds people-to-people ties. The underlying point is that the Embassy is not only funding good local projects; it is especially interested in initiatives that also create visible connections between Slovenian stakeholders and U.S. experience, values, or partners.

Key dates and administrative details are straightforward. The NOFO was created on January 28, 2019, and the original proposal deadline (closing date) was March 15, 2019. Eligible applicants include Slovenian nonprofits that do not have U.S. 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. Overall, the program is best understood as a small-grants mechanism for targeted, results-driven projects that can demonstrate strong management, clear outcomes, and a direct link to the Embassy's priority themes for 2019.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Slovenia in the business and commerce, community development, education, employment, labor and training, energy, environment, law, justice and legal services, regional development, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2019 Notice of Funding Opportunity: NGO Small Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 28, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 15, 2019. (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 $10,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for DOS PAS SLO 2019 001

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