FUNDING | ABA - Association of Belarusians in America

Grant Criteria for Digital Project Creators: Preserving Belarusian Language and Culture in the USA

1. Grant Overview

The Association of Belarusians in America is offering a grant to digital project creators in the United States who are committed to promoting or preserving Belarusian culture, language, or history. The funding is intended to support creative, educational, or technological projects that positively impact the Belarusian-American community or raise awareness of Belarusian heritage.

Application Deadline: December 1st, 2024.

2. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Residency: Applicants must be U.S. residents.
Field of Work: The applicant should be a digital project creator, which may include but is not limited to:
- Filmmakers
- Content creators (e.g., YouTubers, podcasters)
- App or website developers
- Artists and designers
- Educational content developers (e.g., online courses, interactive platforms)
Focus Area: The project must specifically promote or preserve Belarusian culture, language, history, or heritage in the U.S.
Language Requirement: The project must be presented in both Belarusian and English to ensure accessibility to Belarusian and non-Belarusian speaking audiences.
Completion Timeline: The project should be feasible and completed within 8 months of receiving the grant.

3. Application Process

Applicants must submit the following by December 1st, 2024:

Project Proposal (Maximum 1000 words): The proposal must include:
- Project Title and Overview: Brief description of the project and its goals.
- Project Objectives: How the project will promote or preserve Belarusian culture/history.
- Target Audience: Who the project will serve or engage (e.g., Belarusian-Americans, general U.S. audience).
- Digital Platform and Format: The format in which the project will be created and presented (e.g., website, podcast, documentary film, mobile app, etc.).
- Implementation Plan: The steps for developing and completing the project.
- Project Timeline: Key milestones and the anticipated completion date.
Budget Proposal: A detailed budget outlining the use of the grant funds.
Resume/Portfolio: Previous work or experience in digital media, with examples if available.

References: Two professional or academic references who can attest to the applicant’s experience and potential.

4. Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following:

Cultural Relevance (30%): The extent to which the project promotes or preserves Belarusian culture, language, or history in the U.S.
Innovation and Creativity (25%): How unique, creative, and forward-thinking the project is.
Feasibility and Implementation (20%): The project's feasibility is within the proposed timeline and budget.
Impact and Reach (15%): The potential for the project to reach a broad or significant audience.
Applicant’s Experience (10%): The applicant's background in digital content creation or related fields.

5. Grant Amount

The total grant award is $1000. This funding can be used for:

Equipment or software required for the project.
Production costs (e.g., filming, editing, app development, etc.).
Marketing and distribution expenses.
Any other project-related costs are approved in the budget.

6. Submission Instructions

All applications must be submitted via email to info@aba-together.org with the subject line: “Application for the Grant” by 11:59 PM (UTC-5) on December 1st, 2024. Late submissions will not be considered.

For further questions or additional information, please contact Hanna at hannas@aba-together.org.

ABA - Association of Belarusians in America