Open call: Proposals for creative entrepreneurship programme in Zimbabwe

The PD section invites proposals from non-profit organisations, civil society organisations, academic institutions and US government alumni to design and implement a creative entrepreneurship programme that increases the use of online platforms and technology, improves business acumen, and celebrates cultural heritage, identity and diversity.

The programme should expand opportunities to develop institutional capacity, promote financial sustainability of creative and cultural organisations and build networks of independent creative and cultural organisations to make the sector more profitable for its diverse members.

A compulsory component of all programme proposals is to build ties and relationships between the United States and Zimbabwe. Proposals must have a strong, central, American element, or connection with American expert(s), organisation(s), or institution(s) (separate from involvement with the US Mission or its American Corners).  

The partnerships should be mutually beneficial and reinforcing. Opportunities for engagement and partnerships can be virtual or physical. The PD section will support new or existing initiatives. Confirmed partners are not compulsory at the application stage. However, applicants must describe how the US component will enhance the programme. Indications of targeted artists and partners are sufficient for shortlisting.

Programme objectives

All proposals must meet the following objectives:

• Facilitate the development of Zimbabwe’s creative economy for institutional and/or creative industry sustainability, inclusion and professionalism.
• Strengthen collaboration and build networks between Zimbabwe and US creative enterprises with an emphasis on long-term relationships and sustainability. Partnerships should facilitate creation of content that attracts and retains significant and diverse audiences in an equitable manner between Zimbabwe and the United States.

Proposals can also include the following deliverables:

• Increased use of digital technologies and e-commerce platforms in the creative and cultural industries. The PD section encourages initiatives that harness a range of digital technologies in creation, production and distribution of the arts.
• Safeguard and celebrate cultural heritage, identity and diversity including addressing intellectual property rights. The PD Section encourages projects that profile and promote defined elements of Zimbabwean and American communities’ cultural heritage. 
• Equip participants with skills and knowledge to build sustainable creative businesses including business planning, scaling up, exploring US business models and networking. Projects should contribute to increasing the sustainability of local level creative economies.
• Share information about how to organise and manage international artistic tours, including requirements for US tours, with monetary, logistical, and partnership elements covered.  

Participants and audiences

Proposals must engage with Zimbabwean creative and cultural organisations as well as audiences. Programmes can promote inclusivity by targeting women, youth, people living with disabilities, and rural communities. Successful projects will facilitate US and Zimbabwean citizen participation in the cultural life of their community.

Federal award information

• Length of performance period: 12 to 18 months from date of award.
• Number of awards anticipated: two to three awards.
• Award amounts: $24 000.
• Total available funding: $50 000.
• Type of funding: 2024 Public Diplomacy Funds – Smith-Mundt.
• Anticipated programme start date: September 2024.
• Funding instrument type: Grant, fixed award amount or cooperative agreement.

Eligibility information

The following organisations are eligible to apply:

• Zimbabwean or US media organisations
• Civil society
• Academic institutions
• Non-governmental organisations. 

Applications from individuals will also be considered. 

Note: 

• Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required but encouraged.
• Registration: In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organisations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov.

Application and submission information

To request the application package, email PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov before 16 February 2024 and an automatic reply with the application forms will be sent. Forms are also available at www.grants.gov

Content and form of application submission

The proposal should:

• Clearly serve the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity.
• Be specific and concise in describing the who, what, why, when, where, how and cost aspects of the project.
• Provide all documents in English, and include a budget narrative and a budget table in US dollars breaking down costs per unit rates, quantities as well as totals.

“If the Zimbabwean creative community increases use of digital technologies, online platforms, and e-commerce, builds networks with US creative enterprises, and equips practitioners with skills and knowledge, they would be better positioned to build a professional and financially sustainable creative industry in Zimbabwe that benefits the global creative economy, including the United States,” reads a statement. “This programme supports the US Department of State’s Public Diplomacy efforts to build a more stable, inclusive economy for the Zimbabwe creative industry.”

All questions about the grant application process, should be shared via email at PublicDiplomacyGrants-Zim@state.gov.

For more information about this call, download the original call below.