Build Misinformation Resiliency by Empowering Youth | PDS COL 2024 DCMISR

FAQs: Build Misinformation Resiliency by Empowering Youth (U.S. Embassy Colombo)

1) What is this grant opportunity about?

This is a U.S. Embassy Colombo (Public Diplomacy Section) grant opportunity focused on strengthening media literacy and misinformation resilience among young people in Sri Lanka. The core concept is to create and sustain a network of youth clubs in multiple parts of the country where participants build practical skills in fact-checking, debating, public speaking, and identifying misleading or false information.

2) What is the main goal of the program?

The program aims to cultivate a pipeline of informed and confident young Sri Lankans who can think critically, communicate clearly, and contribute to healthier public discourse by using evidence-based methods to evaluate claims and sources.

3) What kinds of activities are expected within the youth clubs?

The clubs are intended to blend structured learning with flexibility, using classroom-style exercises, hands-on workshops, case studies, and friendly competitions. Activities should help youth practice evaluating information and sources, improve public speaking, and strengthen debate and critical thinking skills.

4) Is this opportunity meant for one-time trainings or longer-term programming?

It is designed for lasting capacity rather than one-off awareness sessions. Applicants are expected to propose a model that creates sustainable clubs and a trained network of facilitators who can repeatedly engage young people over time.

5) What does the Embassy mean by a "network" of youth clubs?

The Embassy is looking for an organized approach that reaches multiple locations across Sri Lanka, not a single-site program. The prime grantee is expected to recruit, establish, and train administrators or facilitators who can manage clubs in different locations, while allowing clubs to adapt activities to local contexts.

6) What is expected of the prime grantee?

The prime grantee should propose how it will build and sustain the club network. This includes recruiting and training a cadre of administrators or facilitators, setting consistent club operations, and explaining how sessions and activities will be delivered over time across multiple locations.

7) What should a strong proposal explain about training and delivery?

Strong proposals will typically clarify the training approach for administrators/facilitators, how club sessions will be delivered over time, what learning modules and practical exercises will be used, and how workshops and competitions will reinforce skills and keep participants motivated and active.

8) What is the award type?

Funding is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement.

9) What does "cooperative agreement" imply for the relationship with the funder?

As a cooperative agreement, applicants should be prepared for an arrangement where the funder may be more actively involved than in a standard grant. This can include coordination, input on major activities, and shared planning expectations.

10) How much funding is available?

The award ceiling is USD 75,000.

11) How many awards are expected?

The opportunity anticipates making one award.

12) Who is eligible to apply as the prime recipient?

Eligibility is limited to Sri Lanka-registered organizations. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, civil society and non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and public or private educational institutions, as long as they are not for-profit entities.

13) Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

No. For-profit organizations are not eligible to apply as the prime recipient, even if they resemble an otherwise eligible category.

14) Can international organizations apply?

No. International organizations are explicitly not eligible.

15) Can Sri Lankan government entities apply?

No. Sri Lankan government entities are explicitly not eligible.

16) Can individuals apply?

No. Individuals are explicitly not eligible.

17) Can the prime recipient use sub-contractors or partners?

Yes. Sub-contracting is allowed, but the proposal needs to clearly define who is responsible for what.

18) Does the prime awardee have to be a single organization?

Yes. The prime awardee must be a single non-profit, non-governmental entity.

19) How many proposals can one organization submit?

Each organization may submit only one proposal. If an organization submits more than one, all submissions from that organization will be deemed ineligible for funding.

20) What is the application deadline listed for this opportunity?

The original application deadline listed is August 30, 2024.

21) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is PDS COL 2024 DCMISR.

22) What is the CFDA/assistance listing reference?

The CFDA/assistance listing reference provided is 19.040.

23) What makes this program different from general media literacy awareness campaigns?

This opportunity emphasizes practical skill-building and sustained engagement through local clubs, including repeated sessions and applied exercises such as fact-checking practice, debates, case studies, workshops, and competitions. The intent is to build long-term capacity through a facilitator-led network rather than running isolated events.

24) What outcomes is the program ultimately trying to support?

Based on the opportunity description, the program seeks to produce young people who are more resilient to misinformation, more capable of verifying information using evidence and critical thinking, and better equipped to participate in public discourse through clear communication and thoughtful debate.