SMALL & MIGHTY GRANTS PROGRAM  | PDS COL 2023 SMG

Small & Mighty Grants Program (PDS COL 2023 SMG) - FAQs

1) What is the Small & Mighty Grants Program?

The Small & Mighty Grants Program (Funding Opportunity Number: PDS COL 2023 SMG) is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Sri Lanka funding opportunity structured as a community development-focused cooperative agreement (CFDA 19.040). It is designed to broaden the Mission's engagement in Sri Lanka by reaching new local organizations, including both primary and secondary implementing partners.

2) Who is offering this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Sri Lanka.

3) What is the funding mechanism and CFDA number?

The program is described as a cooperative agreement and references CFDA 19.040.

4) What is the main purpose of the program?

The program emphasizes practical, locally driven initiatives that strengthen democratic society, improve governance, and expand inclusive participation across Sri Lanka, with a central theme of reinforcing peace, democracy, reconciliation, and human rights.

5) What types of organizations is this program trying to reach?

The opportunity is positioned to broaden engagement by reaching new local organizations, including both primary and secondary implementing partners, particularly those that have not traditionally served as major implementers for U.S.-funded programming.

6) Where must projects take place?

The opportunity focuses on initiatives that expand inclusive participation across Sri Lanka and frames activities within Sri Lanka's communities, institutions, and public dialogue.

7) What are the core thematic priorities?

The program highlights three major, connected priority areas:

• Peace, democracy, reconciliation, and human rights (including social integration and participatory civic life)
• Economic empowerment, good governance, and rule of law (including transparency, access to information, and countering corruption)
• Strategic communications and public engagement related to Sri Lanka's role as a free, open, and secure partner (including fact-based media coverage and credible information flows)

8) What does the program mean by strengthening peace, democracy, and reconciliation?

The opportunity calls for projects that promote social integration across all communities, reduce divisions, and encourage reconciliation, while reinforcing democratic values in everyday civic life.

9) Are human rights activities supported?

Yes. The opportunity highlights reinforcing human rights as a central theme and signals strong interest in activities that protect human rights principles.

10) Does the program support religious freedom initiatives?

Yes. The Mission signals strong interest in activities that build awareness of religious freedom as part of strengthening democratic society and reconciliation.

11) Is gender equality a priority area?

Yes. The opportunity frames gender equality as a core element of social and political stability and also emphasizes equitable workplaces through gender equality.

12) Does the program mention disability rights?

Yes. In the context of promoting equitable workplaces, the opportunity explicitly references disability rights.

13) What kinds of governance or democracy-building activities are encouraged?

The opportunity calls for programs that expand participatory processes between citizens and government, strengthen partnerships that give communities a stronger voice in public decision-making, and reinforce democratic values in civic life.

14) Are anti-corruption, transparency, or access-to-information projects eligible?

Yes. The program specifically encourages proposals that advance transparency, strengthen access to information, and counter corruption.

15) Is economic empowerment included, and what does that involve?

Yes. Economic empowerment is prioritized as part of a broader focus on good governance and rule of law, with entrepreneurship framed as both an economic tool and a pathway to social integration.

16) Does the opportunity emphasize support for women entrepreneurs?

Yes. The program places particular emphasis on supporting women entrepreneurs.

17) How does the program connect entrepreneurship to broader social goals?

The opportunity describes entrepreneurship not only as a way to stimulate local economic opportunity, but also as a pathway for broader social integration and for strengthening a more inclusive private sector environment.

18) Does the opportunity reference Sri Lanka's regional economic integration?

Yes. The opportunity indicates an intention to help position Sri Lanka to better integrate into the regional economy through stronger institutions and a more inclusive private sector environment.

19) What is the strategic communications and public engagement component?

The opportunity includes a strategic communications and public engagement component focused on Sri Lanka's role as a free, open, and secure partner. It encourages projects that strengthen credible information flows, improve public awareness, and promote informed public dialogue based on verifiable facts.

20) Is media coverage part of what the program wants to support?

Yes. The Mission encourages projects that increase positive, fact-based media coverage related to security and political engagements, with the aim of building broader public understanding and support for bilateral security cooperation and logistics arrangements.

21) Does the opportunity address misinformation?

Indirectly, yes. The program emphasizes informed public dialogue based on verifiable facts rather than misinformation or speculation.

22) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on May 15, 2023.

23) What was the original closing date?

The original closing date listed in the opportunity is June 12, 2023.

24) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $250,000.

25) How many awards are expected?

The announcement indicates an expectation of one award.

26) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility text. Based on the description, the program appears intended to be accessible to a range of local entities, particularly new local organizations and those that have not traditionally been major implementers for U.S.-funded programming.

27) Are both primary and secondary implementing partners eligible or relevant?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly states it aims to reach new local organizations, including both primary and secondary implementing partners.

28) What broad outcomes does the program want to achieve?

Across its priority areas, the program aims to strengthen democratic society, improve governance, expand inclusive participation, reinforce reconciliation and human rights, advance transparency and rule of law, support equitable economic empowerment (including women entrepreneurs), and promote credible, fact-based public engagement.

29) What does "community development-focused" imply in this context?

In the context provided, it indicates an emphasis on practical, locally driven initiatives rooted in community needs and participation, aligned with democratic strengthening, governance improvement, and inclusive engagement across Sri Lanka.

30) Where can applicants find more details on eligibility?

The opportunity notes that additional eligibility clarification is referenced in the full eligibility text.