Opportunity Information: Apply for SCAKAB 12 AW 009 SCA 05232012
Apply for SCAKAB 12 AW 009 SCA 05232012
- The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Marketing Afghanistans Traditional Arts" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.501 Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 23, 2012 and posted on May 23, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 30, 2012. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- The U.S. Embassy Kabul Public Affairs Section encourages applications from all sectors committed and organized civil society organizations, private sector companies, local representatives of civil society, think tanks, non governmental organizations, academic institutions, and individuals. U.S. NGOs may apply but preference is given to local NGOs or to partnerships that develop capacity with Afghan NGOs or employees and include plans to transfer programs to sustainable local management.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "Marketing Afghanistan's Traditional Arts" (Funding Opportunity Number SCAKAB-12-AW-009 / SCA-05232012) was offered by the U.S. Embassy Kabul Public Affairs Section (PAS) under the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. It was a discretionary grant under CFDA 19.501 (Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and Pakistan), posted on May 23, 2012, with an application deadline of July 30, 2012, and an archive date of August 29, 2012. The program did not require cost sharing or matching funds, which lowered barriers for local organizations that might not have been able to contribute cash or in-kind resources to qualify.
At its core, the opportunity aimed to use Afghanistan's cultural heritage as a practical driver of economic development. The Embassy sought proposals that could sustain, improve, and modernize traditional Afghan craftsmanship in ways that create real income opportunities and strengthen the broader market ecosystem around cultural products. The focus was not only on preserving heritage for its own sake, but on making heritage economically viable by building skills, improving product quality, adapting designs to contemporary consumer preferences, and strengthening marketing and sales pathways. The grant emphasized activities that help Afghan artisans and cultural practitioners translate traditional knowledge into products that can compete in both domestic and international markets.
Projects were expected to include hands-on training for men and women in traditional arts, crafts, and cultural skills, with examples specifically calling out areas like silk weaving and dyeing, wood carving, pottery, jewelry making, and Afghan cooking techniques. Beyond apprenticeship-style training with master artisans, the announcement highlighted the importance of product adaptation and innovation, such as developing new, high-value items that still rely on traditional techniques but better match modern market demand. In practice, this could include redesigning product lines for export buyers, improving finishing and packaging standards, building brand identity around regional craft traditions, or setting up marketing strategies that connect artisans to buyers, retailers, and distributors.
Gender inclusion was a central competitiveness factor rather than a minor preference. Proposals needed to be either targeted toward women or structured so that men and women benefit equally. More importantly, the Embassy made clear that applications would be most competitive when women held substantive roles at higher levels of management, marketing, or decision-making. That requirement signaled that the program was looking for more than participation numbers; it wanted women positioned in leadership and market-facing roles that influence strategy, revenue generation, and long-term sustainability.
Funding levels ranged from a minimum (award floor) of $25,000 to a maximum (award ceiling) of $500,000, allowing for both smaller pilot efforts and larger, multi-component programs. Eligible applicants were broadly defined, reflecting an intent to attract proposals from across Afghan civil society and the private sector. The Public Affairs Section encouraged applications from organized civil society groups, private companies, local civil society representatives, think tanks, NGOs, academic institutions, and individuals. While U.S.-based NGOs could apply, the opportunity explicitly favored local Afghan NGOs or partnerships that build Afghan organizational capacity, employ Afghans, and include a credible plan to transition program operations to sustainable local management. That emphasis on capacity transfer suggests the Embassy wanted funded projects to leave behind durable Afghan-led structures rather than short-term interventions.
Administrative support for applicants was routed through the Embassy's Public Affairs Section, with the grants manager listed as Cynthia Rafferty for access issues and submissions. Overall, the opportunity can be understood as a cultural-economy initiative: preserving and strengthening traditional Afghan arts while improving market readiness, expanding livelihoods, and promoting inclusive leadership, especially for women, in the business and management side of cultural production.
FAQs: Marketing Afghanistan's Traditional Arts (SCAKAB-12-AW-009 / SCA-05232012)
What is the official title of this grant opportunity?
The official title is "Marketing Afghanistan's Traditional Arts."
What are the funding opportunity numbers for this program?
The opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number SCAKAB-12-AW-009 / SCA-05232012.
Which U.S. government office offered this grant?
The grant was offered by the U.S. Embassy Kabul Public Affairs Section (PAS) under the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.
What CFDA program does this grant fall under?
This opportunity was issued under CFDA 19.501, Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
What type of grant was this?
It was described as a discretionary grant.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 23, 2012.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was July 30, 2012.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was August 29, 2012.
Was cost sharing or matching funding required?
No. The program did not require cost sharing or matching funds.
What was the main purpose of the grant?
The opportunity aimed to use Afghanistan's cultural heritage as a practical driver of economic development by sustaining, improving, and modernizing traditional Afghan craftsmanship in ways that create income opportunities and strengthen the market ecosystem around cultural products.
Was the focus only on cultural preservation?
No. The emphasis was on making heritage economically viable, including building skills, improving product quality, adapting designs to contemporary consumer preferences, and strengthening marketing and sales pathways so traditional products can compete in domestic and international markets.
What kinds of activities were expected in proposed projects?
Projects were expected to include hands-on training for men and women in traditional arts, crafts, and cultural skills, along with efforts to adapt and innovate products and improve marketing and sales connections for artisans.
What examples of traditional arts or skills did the announcement specifically mention?
Examples mentioned include silk weaving and dyeing, wood carving, pottery, jewelry making, and Afghan cooking techniques.
Did the grant emphasize training models like apprenticeships?
Yes. The opportunity referenced apprenticeship-style training with master artisans as part of the hands-on training approach.
How did the program define competitiveness in terms of product development?
The grant highlighted product adaptation and innovation, such as developing new, high-value items that still rely on traditional techniques but better match modern market demand.
What kinds of market-readiness improvements were encouraged?
Examples included redesigning product lines for export buyers, improving finishing and packaging standards, building brand identity around regional craft traditions, and setting up marketing strategies that connect artisans to buyers, retailers, and distributors.
How important was gender inclusion in this grant opportunity?
Gender inclusion was described as a central competitiveness factor. Proposals needed to be either targeted toward women or structured so that men and women benefit equally.
What did the opportunity say about women in leadership roles?
Applications were described as most competitive when women held substantive roles at higher levels of management, marketing, or decision-making, reflecting an interest in women being positioned in leadership and market-facing roles that shape strategy and revenue generation.
What were the funding limits for awards?
Funding ranged from a minimum (award floor) of $25,000 to a maximum (award ceiling) of $500,000.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants were broadly defined and included organized civil society groups, private companies, local civil society representatives, think tanks, NGOs, academic institutions, and individuals.
Were U.S.-based NGOs eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S.-based NGOs could apply, but the opportunity explicitly favored local Afghan NGOs or partnerships that build Afghan organizational capacity.
What kinds of applicants were favored?
The program favored local Afghan NGOs or partnerships that build Afghan organizational capacity, employ Afghans, and include a credible plan to transition program operations to sustainable local management.
What does “transition to sustainable local management” mean in the context of this opportunity?
Based on the description, it refers to proposals including a credible plan for program operations to be transferred to Afghan-led structures over time, rather than remaining dependent on external management.
Was the program positioned as a cultural program, an economic program, or both?
It was framed as both: a cultural-economy initiative that preserves and strengthens traditional Afghan arts while improving market readiness, expanding livelihoods, and supporting inclusive leadership, especially for women, in business and management aspects of cultural production.
Who was the listed point of contact for access issues and submissions?
The grants manager listed was Cynthia Rafferty through the U.S. Embassy Kabul Public Affairs Section (PAS).
Which part of the Embassy handled administrative support for applicants?
Administrative support for applicants was routed through the Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS).
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