US Embassy to Moldova announces next round of Democracy Commission Small Grants Program

The Embassy of the United States of America announces the continuation of the Small Grant program for supporting democratic initiatives. According to a press release of the US diplomatic mission, for the December round, the US Embassy welcomes projects related to one of the following priorities: institutionalization of open, pluralistic, and democratic political processes at the local level; public participation in decision making; independent media, free flow of information, transparency in government; civic education, promotion of civil society and democratic institutions; anti-corruption awareness; conflict resolution; development of market economy, economic reforms. Grants are awarded to non-governmental, non-profit organizations and independent mass media officially registered in Moldova. According to the source, the program does not support humanitarian assistance or charitable activities; political or partisan activities; scientific research; conferences and/or individual trips abroad; trade activities; or costs associated with establishing an organization. The deadline for submitting applications is December 15, 2006. The Small Grant Program on support of democratic initiatives was launched in 1994 as a flexible mechanism that would allow the US embassies to back the development of democracy in the Central and East Europe, Eurasia and CIS. In Moldova the program started its activity in 1996.