Zimbabwe and U.S. Networks for Creatives (ZUNC) | AF HAR FY22 08

Opportunity Information: Apply for AF HAR FY22 08

Zimbabwe and U.S. Networks for Creatives (ZUNC) is a U.S. Embassy Harare Public Diplomacy (PD) grant competition designed to support Zimbabwean and U.S. creative and cultural organizations in promoting the diversity of cultural expression while building stronger people-to-people ties between Zimbabwe and the United States. The program is framed as part of the U.S. Department of State's public diplomacy work and focuses on helping Zimbabwe's creative sector become more resilient, competitive, and financially sustainable. A central requirement is that each proposal must include a strong American element, meaning a substantive connection to U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions that goes beyond routine engagement with the U.S. Mission, American Corners, or U.S. government exchange alumni. Projects are expected to deepen mutual understanding by highlighting U.S. values, perspectives, and policies and by creating meaningful relationship-building between Americans and Zimbabweans.

The underlying theory of change is that if Zimbabwe's creative community strengthens industry linkages and services, it can participate more effectively in a global artistic e-economy and contribute more directly to national development strategies in Zimbabwe. In practical terms, the grant is looking for proposals that do more than host one-off events. It favors initiatives that build durable networks, expand market access, improve professional standards, and create pathways for long-term growth in the sector, including through digital strategies where appropriate.

The opportunity is organized around three main deliverables. First, it aims to strengthen collaborations between Zimbabwean and U.S. creative enterprises by encouraging mutually beneficial partnerships that connect practitioners and audiences in both countries. These collaborations can be virtual or in-person, but they should be structured to last beyond the life of the grant. Preference is given to projects that actively incorporate learning or exchange related to American culture, society, history, and current events, as well as shared U.S.-Zimbabwean values and interests. Projects should also demonstrate how partnership activities will lead to the creation and distribution of compelling creative content that can attract and retain diverse audiences in both countries in an equitable way.

Second, ZUNC prioritizes the development of an inclusive creative economy, with a clear emphasis on reaching marginalized or underrepresented groups. Competitive proposals are expected to target communities such as women, youth, people living with disabilities, and indigenous minority communities, and to show how activities will support inclusion not just in participation but also in economic opportunity. The Embassy particularly encourages projects with realistic plans for sustained income generation after the grant ends, whether through audience development, revenue models, improved distribution, or professionalization of creative enterprises. Proposals that incorporate intellectual property awareness and protection across the creative value chain are viewed favorably, as are projects that build paying audiences and increase local participation in cultural life through deliberate, strategic audience development efforts.

Third, the grant seeks to leverage cultural expression to support stronger protection of human rights and civil liberties. Applicants are encouraged to propose creative interventions that raise awareness of citizens' rights and responsibilities, strengthen civic agency, and contribute thoughtfully to public discourse and public processes. The program explicitly notes that lessons or inspiration from U.S. civil rights movement campaigns are welcome, as long as they are adapted appropriately to local context. Proposals should make a clear case for how the creative content will reach defined audiences and how it will be delivered effectively, especially in a context where public gatherings may be limited.

COVID-19 planning flexibility is built into the opportunity. Projects involving in-person travel between Zimbabwe and the United States (or other international travel) were instructed not to schedule travel earlier than September 2022, and all proposals were expected to include adaptable implementation plans that could shift between in-person and virtual formats depending on changing restrictions. The program also signals a willingness to support initiatives that pivot to digital platforms or scale up existing digital work to maintain reach and impact when physical events are constrained.

In terms of who can apply and who should benefit, eligible applicants include Zimbabwean or U.S. creative and cultural organizations, with proposals needing to engage Zimbabwean creative and cultural organizations and Zimbabwean audiences in a meaningful way. Programs are encouraged to demonstrate inclusive participation and to design activities that intentionally reach groups often left out of mainstream cultural and economic opportunities, including rural communities.

Key administrative details include that this is a grant in the arts category issued by the U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe under funding opportunity number AF HAR FY22 08, with an award ceiling of $25,000. Applications were due April 15, 2022, and were to be submitted by email to PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov.

• The U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe in the arts sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Zimbabwe and U.S. Networks for Creatives (ZUNC)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-02-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-04-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for AF HAR FY22 08

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