For the first time, the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara has launched “a call to civil society” (convocatoria) for the submission of projects to “support communities” in the states of Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Colima and Nayarit.
The projects should also be geared to “strengthening the bilateral relationship,” a Consulate press release stated. Those that are accepted will receive financial support from the U.S. government.
The projects should be based around one of the following themes:
• The development of civil society, good government and citizen participation (including transparency and anti-corruption), with the aim of promoting strong democratic institutions
• The advancement of protections for journalists and the freedom of speech, including the growth of investigative journalism and the financial and editorial independence of the media
• The stimulation of entrepreneurship and innovation
• Boosting the teaching of English and academic exchanges between the United States and Mexico
Applications can only be received from registered non-profits (asociaciones civiles), educational institutions and “State Alumni” (past and present U.S. government-sponsored exchange program participants) in the aforementioned states.
According to the U.S. consulate Web site, between one and ten projects will be granted funding that could vary between $US3,500 and 10,000 depending on “the availability of funds.”
All those wishing to participate in the convocatoria should express their interest to the consulate prior to July 20. Full applications can be received up until August 17 and be presented in either Spanish or English. The winning projects will be announced on September 30.
For more information on how to apply, see mx.usembassy.gov/es/embassy-consulates-es/guadalajara-es/convocatoria-rfp-2018.