Gaining Insight Into Voter Narratives with Country-Wide Polling Exercise and Traditional and Social Media Baseline Survey | AF GAB PE ARDF FY24

Opportunity Information: Apply for AF GAB PE ARDF FY24

The U.S. Embassy in Gaborone (U.S. Department of State) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity focused on strengthening understanding of Botswana's 2024 election environment through data. The core idea is to fill a major information gap in Botswana by running a country-wide polling initiative alongside a comprehensive baseline study of how people consume and are influenced by traditional media and digital/social media. The work is intended to provide clearer insight into voter narratives, participation patterns, and the factors shaping public opinion in the lead-up to the national election scheduled for October 2024. Funding is subject to availability, and the program is structured as an open competition.

The project is designed to assess political participation and public sentiment by producing reliable, methodologically sound evidence where little currently exists. In practical terms, the Embassy is looking for a partner that can conduct multiple polls across the country to capture opinions on issues the Embassy identifies as nationally important. The polling is also expected to explore specific concerns affecting the electoral process, including youth apathy, the underrepresentation of women in government roles, and the role foreign entities may play in influencing voters through both conventional media and online spaces. The intent is not only to collect data, but to generate actionable insight into what voters think, what they care about, and how their views may be shaped over time as the election approaches.

A key required component is a substantial polling exercise that targets areas with large youth populations. The opportunity lists specific locations where polling activity should occur, including Gaborone, Maun, Francistown, Kasane, Palapye, Mahalapye, Serowe, Lobatse, Goodhope, Ghanzi, Jwaneng, Tsabong, and Nata. The expectation is that polling will be conducted in a way that can credibly represent public views within these communities and that the results will be gathered over the period leading up to the October 2024 election, rather than as a one-time snapshot.

In parallel, the awardee must carry out a nationwide media baseline survey that covers traditional media as well as digital and social platforms. This survey is expected to be inclusive and representative, engaging Batswana from different age groups and a range of religious and cultural backgrounds. The purpose is to map out media consumption habits, identify which outlets and platforms are most influential, and understand how influence varies by demographic group and geographic area. In other words, the survey should reveal not only what people are consuming, but which channels actually shape opinions and behavior among different segments of the population.

Deliverables are clearly oriented toward producing usable public-facing analysis. The selected organization is expected to provide a media baseline survey report that details consumption patterns and influence by demographic and region, and then publish a final report at the end of the grant documenting what was done, summarizing results, and providing statistical feedback on public views related to the Embassy-identified national issues. Overall, the outputs should leave stakeholders with a defensible baseline picture of Botswana's media environment and a clearer, data-driven understanding of voter priorities and narratives ahead of the election.

Eligibility is broad. Applicants may include U.S.-based or non-U.S.-based not-for-profit organizations (such as think tanks and civil society/NGOs), public or private educational institutions, individuals, and public international organizations. The funding instrument is a grant under CFDA 19.225, with an anticipated single award. The award ceiling is $250,000, and the original closing date listed is August 9, 2024. The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Mission to Botswana under the funding opportunity number AF GAB PE ARDF FY24.

• The U.S. Mission to Botswana in the regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Gaining Insight Into Voter Narratives with Country-Wide Polling Exercise and Traditional and Social Media Baseline Survey" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.225.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-07-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-09. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for AF GAB PE ARDF FY24

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