Opportunity Information: Apply for SRB10020FO003
The Democracy Commission Small Grants opportunity is a U.S. Department of State grant competition run by the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade (Public Affairs Section) for projects carried out in Serbia. It is aimed at local, non-profit civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and independent media outlets that want to implement practical initiatives that strengthen democracy, protect human rights, and support economic development. A specific emphasis is placed on impact beyond the capital, meaning proposals that reach or benefit municipalities outside Belgrade are consistent with the program intent.
Funding is provided as a discretionary grant under CFDA 19.900, with an award ceiling of up to USD 50,000 per project and an anticipated total of around 20 awards. Applicants must meet U.S. government registration requirements: every organization involved in the grant activity needs a unique entity identifier (at the time described, a DUNS number) and must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov. These compliance steps are treated as eligibility conditions, so organizations that are not properly registered risk being considered ineligible regardless of project quality.
The program draws clear boundaries around what it will not fund. Ineligible proposals include those involving partisan political activity, overseas conferences or trips abroad, or international travel to and from the United States or countries outside the Balkan region. The embassy also excludes projects that are primarily charitable or humanitarian aid, fundraising initiatives, commercial or profit-making activities, academic or scientific research, and arts or cultural projects that fall outside the stated democracy and human rights themes. Training or skills programs are generally not supported unless they are directly designed to promote the integration of disadvantaged groups into society. Projects that duplicate an already existing project are also disallowed, signaling that the commission is looking for distinct value and added impact rather than re-funding ongoing work without a clear differentiator.
Applications had to be submitted by email to DemComSerbia@state.gov by May 24, 2020 at 23:59, and the core application narrative was limited to a maximum of 10 pages, not counting attachments. Proposals are reviewed by the Embassy Democracy Commission Board, which meets at least annually to evaluate submissions. The stated evaluation criteria focus on how well the project aligns with the program theme, whether it sets clear goals and defines specific target groups, the likelihood that results will be sustainable after the grant ends, and the applicant organization’s demonstrated capacity to deliver the proposed activities and achieve the intended outcomes. For procedural questions, applicants were directed to use the same email address provided for submissions.Apply for SRB10020FO003
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Serbia in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Democracy Commission Small Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.900.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 24, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 24, 2020. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Democracy Commission Small Grants opportunity?
The Democracy Commission Small Grants opportunity is a U.S. Department of State grant competition run by the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade (Public Affairs Section). It supports projects carried out in Serbia that strengthen democracy, protect human rights, and support economic development.
Who runs and administers this grant competition?
The competition is run by the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Public Affairs Section, and proposals are reviewed by the Embassy Democracy Commission Board.
Where must projects take place?
Projects must be carried out in Serbia.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
The opportunity is aimed at local, non-profit civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and independent media outlets.
Is the program focused only on Belgrade?
No. A specific emphasis is placed on impact beyond the capital. Proposals that reach or benefit municipalities outside Belgrade are consistent with the program intent.
What kinds of projects are the program trying to fund?
The program seeks practical initiatives that strengthen democracy, protect human rights, and support economic development.
What is the funding mechanism and identifier for this opportunity?
Funding is provided as a discretionary grant under CFDA 19.900.
What is the maximum grant amount per project?
The award ceiling is up to USD 50,000 per project.
How many awards are expected?
The anticipated total is around 20 awards.
What registrations are required to be eligible?
Applicants must meet U.S. government registration requirements. Every organization involved in the grant activity needs a unique entity identifier (at the time described, a DUNS number) and must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov.
Do registration requirements affect eligibility?
Yes. These compliance steps are treated as eligibility conditions, and organizations that are not properly registered risk being considered ineligible regardless of project quality.
Does every partner organization need to be registered, or only the main applicant?
Based on the stated requirements, every organization involved in the grant activity needs a unique entity identifier and an active SAM registration.
What activities are explicitly not funded (ineligible proposals)?
The program will not fund proposals involving partisan political activity, overseas conferences or trips abroad, or international travel to and from the United States or countries outside the Balkan region.
Are charitable or humanitarian aid projects eligible?
No. Projects that are primarily charitable or humanitarian aid are excluded.
Are fundraising projects eligible for support?
No. Fundraising initiatives are excluded.
Are commercial or profit-making activities eligible?
No. Commercial or profit-making activities are excluded.
Will the grant fund academic or scientific research?
No. Academic or scientific research is excluded.
Are arts and cultural projects eligible?
Arts or cultural projects are excluded if they fall outside the stated democracy and human rights themes.
Are training or skills programs eligible?
Training or skills programs are generally not supported unless they are directly designed to promote the integration of disadvantaged groups into society.
Can the grant be used to support an ongoing project or a project that already exists?
Projects that duplicate an already existing project are disallowed. The program signals it is looking for distinct value and added impact rather than re-funding ongoing work without a clear differentiator.
Is international travel allowed under this grant?
International travel to and from the United States or countries outside the Balkan region is listed as ineligible. The opportunity also excludes overseas conferences or trips abroad.
How do applicants submit an application?
Applications had to be submitted by email to DemComSerbia@state.gov.
What was the application deadline?
The stated deadline was May 24, 2020 at 23:59.
Is there a page limit for the proposal narrative?
Yes. The core application narrative was limited to a maximum of 10 pages, not counting attachments.
Who reviews proposals and how often do they meet?
Proposals are reviewed by the Embassy Democracy Commission Board, which meets at least annually to evaluate submissions.
What evaluation criteria are used to assess proposals?
The stated evaluation criteria include: alignment with the program theme; whether the project sets clear goals and defines specific target groups; the likelihood that results will be sustainable after the grant ends; and the applicant organization’s demonstrated capacity to deliver the proposed activities and achieve the intended outcomes.
What does the program mean by sustainability?
The evaluation criteria explicitly consider the likelihood that results will be sustainable after the grant ends, meaning proposals should be designed with outcomes that can persist beyond the grant period.
What does the program look for regarding target groups?
Proposals are evaluated on whether they define specific target groups, alongside clear goals.
How important is organizational capacity in the review process?
Organizational capacity is one of the stated evaluation criteria. Reviewers consider the applicant organization’s demonstrated ability to deliver the proposed activities and achieve intended outcomes.
Where should procedural questions be sent?
Procedural questions were directed to the same email address used for submission: DemComSerbia@state.gov.
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