The Embassy of the United States of America has announced a new competition for assistance awards through the Democracy Grants Program. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to Moldovan NGOs and independent media outlets for projects whose purpose is to further the development of democracy and civil society in Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a press release from the U.S. Embassy. For this competition, the U.S. Embassy welcomes projects related to the following priorities: civic education; strengthening and promotion of civil society and democratic institutions; independent media, free flow of information, freedom of speech, transparency in government and good governance; public participation in decision making, etc. The U.S. Embassy will give special priority to projects implemented on both sides of the Nistru River. The program does not support: humanitarian assistance or charitable activities; political or partisan activities; scientific research; conferences and/or individual trips abroad; trade activities; projects aimed at primary institutional development of the organization. Eligibility is limited to Moldovan not-for-profit organizations and independent mass media. Applicants are not required to include funding from other donors. However, applications that include additional in-kind and/or financial contributions from non-U.S. Government sources will be more competitive, since cost-sharing demonstrates a strong commitment to the planned activities and will be considered to show great cost effectiveness. The award period is up to 12 months, while the award amount is up to $24,000. Applicants must submit their applications electronically. All applications must be submitted on or before Thursday, April 19, 2012, 16:59 (Moldova time). The Democracy Grants Program was initiated in 1994 as a flexible mechanism to enable American Embassies to support the development of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and the CIS. The Democracy Commission in Moldova started its activity in 1996. The Democracy Commission acts as the implementing body and includes members of most of the U.S. Government agencies active in Moldova. The Program is administered by the Public Affairs Section.