Romania: Peer to Peer - Countering Hate and Intolerance

U.S. Embassy Bucharest, Public Affairs Section (PAS,) announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the creation and implementation of a program to prevent, counter, and curtail racially/ethnically motivated hatred and violence—to include anti-Semitism. The successful awardee will organize activities and campaigns across several Romanian cities and regions—at least three outside the capital—wherein ethnic/religious/cultural violence has been increasing. The award recipient will design a program targeted civic/social activists, educators, journalists, local authorities, academics, influencers, and university students with the specific purpose of raising awareness and countering cultural hatred and exclusion/animosity based upon any immutable characteristic. In close collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and the Strong Cities Network, the awardee makes use of a minimum two U.S. subject matter expert speakers in addition to organizing workshops, case studies, webinars and training sessions built around the goals and metrics set forth below. All activities will be in conducted in-person to the extent then-current counter COVID-19 pandemic measure permit; if mandated they can be conducted virtually. The grant award specifically includes engagement with and a visit of four working day visit Strong Cities Network staff to Romania, as well as organizing and purchasing round-trip international airfare for up to five Romanian program participants to visit the United States in spring/summer 2022 on a State Department exchange.