Experiential Learning Activities Programs | PDS ASHGABAT CA FY24 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS ASHGABAT CA FY24 004

The Experiential Learning Activities Programs grant (Funding Opportunity Number: PDS ASHGABAT CA FY24 004) is a discretionary U.S. Mission to Turkmenistan funding opportunity that supports the delivery of American Spaces programming across four locations in Turkmenistan: Ashgabat, Dashoguz, Mary, and Turkmenabat. The U.S. Embassy Ashgabat is seeking a single prime implementing organization to plan, run, and evaluate hands-on educational and community programs hosted through these American Spaces over an expected 12-month period, from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the Embassy will likely stay actively involved in shaping or coordinating aspects of implementation while the recipient manages day-to-day delivery. The award ceiling is listed as $34,500, and the application deadline is May 14, 2024.

At its core, the project is designed to build mutual understanding between the United States and Turkmenistan through practical, skills-based activities that combine English language learning, innovation and STEM exposure, entrepreneurship and economic education, and environmental and climate awareness. The American Spaces network is described as the Embassy's main public diplomacy platform in-country, functioning both as a community hub for English resources and professional development and as a gateway for Turkmen citizens to engage with U.S. culture, education, and values. The Embassy emphasizes that these spaces already have a track record of conversation groups, workshops, and visiting speaker events, and the new grant is meant to broaden and strengthen that programming with structured, goal-driven activities.

The primary intended participants are Turkmen youth ages 10 to 25, with a clear focus on inclusion of girls and women, students (school and university), and young professionals, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition to direct youth engagement, the programming is also meant to involve teachers, civil society representatives, and alumni of previous U.S. government-funded programs, both to strengthen local capacity and to build continuity across Embassy-supported initiatives. Another key feature is community-building: implementers are encouraged to bring in local businesses and nonprofit groups to share expertise and help develop stronger professional networks around entrepreneurship, STEM, and civic engagement.

The opportunity lays out several objectives and sample program models that applicants can choose to implement in full or in part. Applicants can propose to administer all suggested activities or select one or several program components, as long as proposals include clear goals, measurable outputs and outcomes, and a realistic plan for monitoring and evaluation. The implementer is expected to handle the full program cycle: planning and logistics, execution, closeout, and evaluation, along with communications elements such as social media presence, impact reporting, and photo release procedures.

On STEM and innovation, the Embassy sets targets aimed at both skills development and networking. One objective is to enhance STEM and problem-solving skills for at least 500 youth across Ashgabat and the regions, and another is to create a network of STEM-interested youth by facilitating connections with tech communities in Turkmenistan and the United States. Suggested STEM activities include a Tech Lab with two main tracks: a four-month coding skills lab for roughly 100 English-speaking school graduates and young professionals (ages 18 to 30) focused on web design and digital skills, and support for Technovation Girls for about 150 schoolgirls (ages 8 to 18) to build capabilities in app development and tech entrepreneurship for participation in a global competition. Additional STEM concepts include organizing a regional math contest for students ages 10 to 14 modeled on a well-known U.S. style competition, with preparatory sessions and a final national tournament in Ashgabat and travel support for regional winners. Another highlighted activity is the NASA International Space Apps Challenge, aimed at English-speaking students ages 16 to 25 through workshops and a hackathon-style event, with potential costs including coordination, training, supplies, promotional support, and social media content to amplify visibility.

For English language development, the grant targets improving English skills among at least 500 youth through interactive, hands-on formats rather than purely classroom instruction. The suggested umbrella activity is an "English Immersion" approach for up to 500 English speakers ages 10 to 18 delivered throughout the year, linking language practice to themes such as U.S. values of diversity and inclusion, climate change, media literacy, entrepreneurship, and public speaking. Example components include an English Drama Club that stages a play by an American author and can perform through a mobile mini-theater at schools and community events; immersive English camps during spring, summer, and fall school breaks; and English book clubs that make intentional use of American Corner resources like graded readers, magazines, learning games, and reference materials. Proposed budgets for these activities may cover trainer fees, supplies, promotional items, and light refreshments such as coffee breaks.

Climate and environmental programming is framed as a mix of education, practical engagement, and local networking. One objective is to increase knowledge and awareness of climate change mitigation among at least 100 young "eco-champions" via programming focused on climate action, innovative business practices, and entrepreneurship strategies. Suggested options include a "Climate Champions" model: a 10-day program for English-speaking participants ages 16 to 25 across the four American Spaces, delivered sometime between September 2024 and August 2025, combining workshops, field trips, and community service activities in partnership with local eco-activists and nonprofits. The content is expected to cover climate challenges, water and energy issues, sustainable consumption, myth-busting, and U.S.-based best practices. Another option is the Farmcraft program, tied to the North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF), using Minecraft-based educational competition to teach agricultural science, food security, and climate concepts for students ages 10 to 18, typically through a multi-month sequence of sessions.

Business and entrepreneurship activities are aimed at sparking interest and building foundational skills for at least 100 youth. Proposed examples include a Business Skills program for middle and high school students delivered over 40 instructional hours, culminating in pitch events at American Spaces that connect participants with local and international business communities. Another suggested component is Playful Economics, which uses an activity-based curriculum to introduce core economic ideas to students ages 12 to 18 through a series of programs held across all four locations over the year. Budgets for these activities may cover coordination and trainer fees, supplies, and promotional materials, with the broader intention of making entrepreneurship and economics approachable and relevant to students who may not otherwise have access to such learning opportunities.

Eligibility is limited to non-profit entities, including not-for-profit organizations, civil society or non-government organizations, and public or private educational institutions. For-profit entities are explicitly not eligible to apply as the prime recipient, even if they appear to fit the categories listed. The prime awardee may subcontract with other organizations if needed, but only one non-profit, non-governmental entity can serve as the main recipient, and proposals must clearly spell out which partner is responsible for which activities and deliverables.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a compact, year-long, multi-city programming grant intended to keep American Spaces active and relevant for young people in Turkmenistan through structured experiential learning. Competitive proposals will likely be the ones that choose a coherent set of activities, tie them directly to the Embassy's numeric targets (for example, the 500-youth targets in STEM and English and the 100-participant targets in climate and entrepreneurship), demonstrate strong local partnerships and alumni engagement, and present a practical monitoring and evaluation plan that proves impact beyond attendance counts.

• The U.S. Mission to Turkmenistan in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Experiential Learning Activities Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.441.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-14. (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 $34,500.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for PDS ASHGABAT CA FY24 004

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