DUSHANBE, February 20, Asia-Plus -- The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe announces a request for proposals under the 2012 Democracy Commission Small Grants Program.

The purpose of the program is to award small grants for specific projects that support the development of democratic institutions in Tajikistan.  Primarily, grants will be awarded to non-governmental, non-profit organizations (NGOs).  The amount of a grant must not be more than $50,000 (USD), but the Commission will give priority to applications that implement similar projects with lower budgets.  To be eligible for consideration, every applicant must be engaged in or carry out a project the purpose of which is to promote the development of democratic institutions in Tajikistan.  The Democracy Commission Small Grants Program has existed in Tajikistan since 2001.

The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe will accept proposals for consideration by the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program on the themes fostering a strong and independent media: organizational management; media legal defense; and media legislation.

Proposals should contain clearly formulated goals and target groups, and show the ability of the applying organization to carry out the project.  Prior to submission all applicants requesting over $25,000 USD must obtain the organization’s Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) DUNS (www.dnb.ru) and get registered in the in the CCR: (https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/default.aspx).

The submission deadline is March 16, 2012.

The U.S. Embassy''s Democracy Commission Grant Program is limited to organizations based in Tajikistan. Projects NOT funded by the U.S. Embassy Democracy Commission Program include those requested by non-Tajikistani organizations, those relating to partisan political activity, charitable activity and humanitarian aid, fund-raising campaigns, commercial projects, those involving individuals not affiliated with an organization that can provide long-term sustainability to the project, and those that duplicate existing projects.