Month: April 2015

Call for Proposals: Public Engagement Grants Program for Mauritius, Rodrigues & Seychelles

The U.S. Embassy to Mauritius and Seychelles is pleased to announce its request for proposals for public engagement programs or projects that target our strategic themes.

We welcome proposals from all individuals or organizations from Mauritius, Rodrigues and Seychelles.

All proposals must relate broadly to one or more of our strategic themes:

  1. Women’s empowerment
  2. Entrepreneurship and innovation
  3. Youth empowerment
  4. Environment
  5. Education (including the promotion of English language)

Criteria for proposals:

  1. Proposals can range between $1,000-$10,000 (not including partner matching funds). Please note that very few proposals will be awarded $10,000 in funding and all costs will be closely reviewed.
  2. Matching funds or in-kind contributions of time and materials of at least 30% of the project budget from partner organizations are required. Public-private partnerships or multi-group projects are strongly encouraged.
  3. The totality of proposals chosen will reflect, to the extent possible, the full range of themes and issues.

Priority audiences include the following:

  1. Women and youth
  2. Academia/universities/think tanks including students
  3. Journalists
  4. Civil society activists
  5. Entrepreneurs

Proposals will be accepted on a year-round basis. Proposals must be sent electronically to portlouispas@gmail.com via PDF or Microsoft Word document. Budgets can be submitted in Microsoft Excel format. No hand-delivered proposals will be accepted. Your proposal must be no longer than five (5) pages and should include the following information:

  1. Project Title
  2. Region (where the project/program will take place)
  3. Program Description
    Provide a comprehensive but concise description of the overall project. Some questions that may help to frame the narrative include the following: (Note: The questions below are suggestive. Your response should be a narrative and not a bulleted list of the responses to the questions.)

    1. How did the idea for the project originate (what was the inspiration)?
    2. What is the project about? What is it that you are trying to do? What do you hope to accomplish and how?
    3. How is this project innovative within the local context (is there local government buy-in, public-private partnerships, varied funding, etc.)?
  4. Target Audience
    Precisely identify and provide a basic description of your targeted audiences, why they are strategically important, and why your project is particularly suited to reach them.
  5. Calendar
    Provide a specific calendar of activities and events for the entire project, including preparation, reporting and follow-on amplification programs.
  6. Impact Amplification Plan
    Provide a brief description of your plan for deriving maximum impact from your project. What secondary or tertiary audiences will your project impact, beyond the primary program participants? For instance: Will there be follow-on activities? Will your participants create user-generated content (pictures, videos, etc.) for online promotion and distribution? Will you arrange press interviews with program participants?
  7. Public and Private Partners (strongly encouraged)

    List all project partners and any financial or in-kind support that has been committed. Public or private partners may include U.S. government agencies, foreign public partners, or other NGOs.

  8. Performance Indicators
    Provide reasonable, meaningful, and achievable performance indicators to measure the success of your project. Competitive proposals should address the issue of sustainability – explaining how the project or program will continue beyond the initial support from the U.S. government.

  9. U.S. Embassy Representation
    How will U.S. involvement in the project be represented? Branding on materials, participation in public events, media coverage?

    Budget

    Please give a precise estimation of the project’s total cost. The budget should specify the details of the total cost of the project, the amount you are requesting from the U.S. government, and in-kind donations or actual hard cash contributions from third parties.

Please note that while we enjoy working with our repeat implementing partners, we are always looking for new partners and new projects.

The U.S. Embassy does NOT fund:

  • Payment of salaries
  • Conference attendance
  • International travel/per diem for project organizer(s)

  • Receptions/dinners/cocktail parties

YUVA Responses to Nepal Earthquake

A deadly earthquake has devastated children and families in Nepal. In response, YUVA has launched a disaster response during this difficult time. This is the worst earthquake in Nepal in the last 81 years.

YUVA has been able to establish contact with Nepal. We need your generous gift to support our efforts. Your support will help us protect vulnerable children and provide desperately needed relief to families. 10% percent of your contribution will be used to help us prepare for the next emergency. Nobody knows when the next crisis will strike, but your support helps YUVA provide assistance in the critical first hours and days of an emergency when children need us most.

The survivors of the Nepal earthquake need disaster relief and emergency aid. Please donate to the Nepal earthquake relief effort.

YUVA Responses to Nepal Earthquake
YUVA Responses to Nepal Earthquake
YUVA Responses to Nepal Earthquake
YUVA Responses to Nepal Earthquake

Call for Applications for the 2016-2017 Fulbright Visiting Student Program

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius invites applications for the Fulbright Visiting Student Program for the 2016/2017 academic year.

Grantees selected for degree study will be funded for a maximum of 2 years. All awards are contingent upon approval by the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board (FSB), availability of funds, and successful academic placement.

1. Awards are granted as follows:

  • 1 to 2 years of study towards one degree only – Master’s or Ph.D. ( Eligible grantees may apply for one renewal grant); or
  • Participation in an academic year (9-10 months) non-degree research program. (Grants are not renewable).

2. Field of Study

We welcome applications in all fields of study. However, while applicants are encouraged to apply for priority fields of study determined by the Government of Mauritius and available on the Ministry of Education and Human Resources website: http://goo.gl/v3PoZR, the U.S. Embassy encourages applications that focus on education, the environment, entrepreneurship/ innovation, and the empowerment of women especially in regards to domestic violence.

Note: The JSD Program does not apply for Medicine, Law, Veterinary and Architecture.

3. Eligibility Requirements:

    • Nominees must be citizens or nationals of Mauritius, or permanent residents holding a valid passport issued by the Republic of Mauritius.
    • Nominees must have at least a bachelor’s degree recognized by U.S. universities. Please note that a minimum standard of Second Class Second Division is required for a Master’s degree.
    • Nominees should have a sufficient level of English proficiency to enable them to realistically accomplish full-time graduate level study in the U.S.
    • Nominees must meet the minimum score on required standardized tests (For the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a score of 575/90 is desirable; however, we recommend individuals aim for 600/100. For the General Record Examinations (GRE): 1000 minimum and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT): 550 minimum).
    • Nominees should have a high motivation and a serious commitment to completing the program as scheduled and to returning home.
    • Preference will be given to nominees with no U.S. educational experience.
    • A Master’s degree is required for Ph.D. and non-degree research program.
    • No applicant shall receive more than one Fulbright Student Program grant.

4. Mode of Application

Applications must be completed online at:

https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international

A complete application includes:

 (1) Duly filled Application Form (please specify 2016-2017 cycle when you apply)
(2) Official transcripts with the degree certificates;
(3) English translations of official documents where applicable;
(4) Three references with at least 2 of them being academic and
(5) Study Objectives and Personal Statements.

Portfolios of extracurricular activities are welcome. These together with documents which could not be uploaded can be sent to:

Re: Fulbright Visiting Student Program
The Public Affairs Section
Embassy of the United States of America
Rogers House, 4th Floor, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis

Only shortlisted candidates will be called for interview at which time, the originals of all documents must be produced. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Candidates must be available to go to the U.S. Embassy for an interview at which time originals of all documents must be presented.

Deadline: May 25, 2015

YUVA Anti-Poverty Mission: Distribution of New & Used Clothes

Distribution of clothes

Donate Funds: Postage is one of our biggest expenses! And we need YOUR help raise the funds to post clothing donations to those in need. Make a financial gift here.

Host a Clothing Drive: Our clothing drives operate just like a shoe drive! Get ready to make a sustainable impact with your unwanted clothing. Get your friends, family, coworkers and neighbours involved as well! 

Donate Your Extra Inventory: As a retailer, manufacturer or distributor, you’ll end up with excess inventory. Instead of throwing it away, please donate! Contact us at yuvamauritius@gmail.com +23059067000.

APPLY: Women Deliver Scholarships

Scholarships for people 30 and older are awarded to stand-out advocates over the age of 30 who have proven their commitment to advancing the health, rights, and well-being of girls and women in their community and around the world. This opportunity includes:

  • A scholarship to attend the Women Deliver 2016 Conference on 16-19 May 2016 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • A chance to connect with a wide range of policymakers, donors, activists, and journalists from the highest levels to the grassroots to review progress, discuss challenges, and push for new and ambitious commitments toward improving the lives of girls and women.

The deadline to apply is May 1, 2015 at 5PM EST.

To apply, fill out the online application form here:
https://app.wizehive.com/appform/login/wdover30

If you have any questions, please email scholarships@womendeliver.org.

Please note that a passport and visa may be needed to enter Denmark. Women Deliver will cover the costs of obtaining the visa and provide supporting documentation, if needed.

Invitation: Launching Ceremony of YUVA Petit Raffray

We have the pleasure to invite you to the launching ceremony of YUVA Petit Raffray, this Sunday 12 April 2015 at 10:00am to be held at the Petit Raffray Social Welfare Centre.

The programme includes a lunch served to all invitees, a cultural programme, honouring 15 residents of the village who have contributed immensely to the development of Petit Raffray, and introduction of new YUVA members.

YUVA Petit Raffray