2024 American Spaces Small Grants Program

PAS Philippines invites individuals and non-profit organizations to submit project proposals to carry out monthly programming at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines' American Center for a one-year period. The American Center is part of the sixteen American Spaces network in the Philippines. American Spaces are the U.S. government's primary public cultural and information centers abroad that provide free and open access for communities worldwide interested in learning more about the United States. Through people-to-people connections and modern environments equipped with advanced technologies, over 600 American Spaces in 140 countries serve as the initial experience that millions of global visitors have with the United States, building mutual understanding and partnership. These innovative hubs offer programs and events that foster learning, discussion, and civic engagement around democratic principles.

In the fiscal year 2023, American Center Manila hosted programs for thousands of participants, many joining online. These programs focused on entrepreneurship, English language learning, environmental conservation, good governance, media literacy, STEM, and civic engagement. The primary audiences include high school students, undergraduate students, and academics. In 2024, American Center Manila aims to continue implementing impactful monthly programs for our audiences.

Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:

• An incubation program empowering youth to become environmentally conscious entrepreneurs committed to sustainability.
• A good governance workshop training local government unit youth council members to become accountable and conscientious public servants.
• A science camp where participants are given hands-on training to stimulating STEM topics and innovative content such as artificial intelligence, coding, robotics, 3D modelling and printing.
• A media seminar for campus journalists equipping them with skills to combat misinformation and disinformation.
• Participation in global science competitions such as Technovation Girls and NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathon.

The primary target audience are young Filipinos, aged 18 30 and the principal method of engagement will be through in-person programming at the American Center located at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. Virtual engagement may be a part of the overall strategy as a supplementary activity supporting in-person engagements. Preference will be given to proposals that prioritize and maximize the needs of Filipino public-school students and teachers while limiting overhead, equipment, and other expenses that do not directly support program participants. A successful proposal will develop a clear monthly calendar of activities spanning at least twelve months from September 2024 September 2025 at the American Center specifying a defined audience and directly addressing at least one of the six key programming areas below.

Six Priority Program Areas

• Promote English Language Teaching and Learning: Build the skills of English language teachers and promote English language learning in all demographic sectors.
• Skills Development Programs: Empower young and professional audiences to develop skills in a wide array of areas that will help them meet local and global challenges and support inclusive and sustainable economic growth and opportunity.
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: Prepare students with 21st century skills needed to succeed in their careers during the Information Age by engaging them in existing global competitions such as Technovation Girls and NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathon.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: Provide guidance and resources to empower youth to promote effective change in their communities particularly on topics related to disability, sexual orientation, cultural sensitivity, ethnicity, social justice, racial equity, and managing biases.
• Media Literacy: Develop the ability of youth to identify and combat misinformation and disinformation especially on online platforms while supporting them to become responsible digital citizens.
• Environmental Conservation: Increase awareness on pressing environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, food waste, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.