SUVA – On October 28, U.S. Embassy Suva hosted a grant signing ceremony to announce the recipients of three Public Diplomacy Small Grants. The Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S. Embassy Suva considers small grant requests on a quarterly basis, pending funding availability. The grant proposals must benefit Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, or Tuvalu and address one of the Public Diplomacy Initiatives or Embassy Goals, as stated on U.S. Embassy Suva’s website. Small grants range from US$5,000-$15,000.
Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Rebecca Owen said that “We are pleased to partner with civil society organizations dedicated to the same values and goals of the United States of America. We are honored to support organizations that are tackling issues that affect vulnerable populations.”
In Fiscal Year 2021, the Public Diplomacy Grants program awarded US$49,000 to five organizations. U.S. Embassy Suva announced the three most recent recipients in today’s grant signing ceremony. These projects will help local communities build resilience and promote economic growth in the region. The Fiji Arts Council’s project increases youth’s knowledge of arts and culture while also teaching them about the income-generating craft of jewelry making. Lifeline Fiji will provide psycho-social support workshops, which offer mental health resources for first responders approaching individuals in crisis. The workshops will also teach youth healthy coping mechanisms to share within their communities. The Young Women Christian Association’s (YWCA) We Rise! project will empower and educate 25 young women on their civic responsibilities. “We Rise!” will also assist them in honing their leadership skills and expanding their professional networks.