Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS PRISTINA FY22 04
The grant opportunity titled Independent Media Programming: Cyber Security Resilience (Funding Opportunity Number PAS PRISTINA FY22 04) is a discretionary grant offered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kosovo. It is designed to improve cyber security readiness in Kosovo by focusing on two closely connected groups: independent media and civil society organizations on one side, and local "white hat" ethical hackers on the other. The program is built around the idea that stronger digital defenses help independent outlets and watchdog groups continue their work safely and reliably, especially when that work involves investigating wrongdoing, demanding accountability from public institutions, and keeping the public informed with credible, unbiased reporting.
A central aim of the program is to strengthen the ability of Kosovan civil society and independent media to prevent, withstand, and recover from cyberattacks. In practice, this means helping organizations reduce their exposure to common threats like website defacements, account takeovers, phishing campaigns, data leaks, denial-of-service attacks, and other disruptions that can silence reporting, compromise sources, or damage public trust. By improving cyber resilience, the program supports a healthier information environment where organizations are better positioned to monitor government actions at both the national and local levels, push for transparency, and keep publishing even under pressure.
The second major objective is capacity-building for Kosovo-based ethical hackers and ethical hacker organizations. The program is not only interested in technical skill, but also in how effectively these specialists can translate technical risks into plain language for non-technical partners and the wider public. The expectation is that ethical hackers involved in the project will be able to identify weaknesses, conduct responsible testing, and recommend fixes, while also developing stronger communication skills to explain how malicious actors can exploit vulnerabilities to access sensitive systems, information, and critical infrastructure. In other words, it is not just "find the problem," but also "help people understand it and act on it."
To be competitive, proposals are expected to include several specific components. First, applicants must bring or organize a credible network of ethical hackers capable of testing the online infrastructure of participating media and civil society partners. This implies practical, hands-on assessment work such as vulnerability identification and controlled testing that helps partners understand where they are exposed and what steps would actually reduce risk. Second, proposals must demonstrate at least 10 to 20 sustainable partnerships with media outlets and civil society organizations that are willing to participate actively and share lessons learned and best practices with other organizations. Importantly, the program emphasizes inclusion: a significant number of the partnerships should involve underserved minority communities in Kosovo, explicitly naming groups such as Romani, Egyptian, Ashkali, Gorani, Bosniak, Turks, Serb, and others. This focus aligns with the U.S. government definition of "underserved communities" referenced through the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, signaling that the program wants benefits and protection to extend beyond the most visible or best-resourced organizations.
In addition to assessments and partnerships, the opportunity calls for innovative education and training efforts aimed at helping participating organizations learn how to spot threats, respond when incidents happen, and strengthen their systems over time. That can include practical guidance on secure account management, safer communications, incident response planning, backup strategies, patching routines, and other operational habits that make a real difference in day-to-day security. The grant also requires innovative communication strategies and public-facing awareness campaigns so that the knowledge gained does not stay inside the partner group. The intent is to spread cyber security awareness to other independent media, additional civil society organizations, and broader Kosovo audiences, increasing general understanding of cyber risks and encouraging better digital hygiene across the sector.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $100,000 and anticipates making about two awards. It is categorized under CFDA 19.900 and uses a grant as the funding instrument. The posting indicates it was created on March 28, 2022, with an original closing date of May 20, 2022. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the related documents. Overall, the grant is structured to create a practical support system where ethical hackers and at-risk public-interest organizations work together in a sustained way, improving defenses, strengthening public communication about threats, and helping Kosovo's independent information space remain resilient against cyber pressure.Apply for PAS PRISTINA FY22 04
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kosovo in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled " Independent Media Programming: Cyber Security Resilience" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.900.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 28, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 20, 2022. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Independent Media Programming: Cyber Security Resilience.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAS PRISTINA FY22 04.
Who is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary grant offered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kosovo.
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The program is designed to improve cyber security readiness in Kosovo by strengthening cyber resilience for independent media and civil society organizations, while also building the capacity of local ethical hackers ("white hats") who can assess risks, test systems responsibly, and communicate findings clearly.
Which groups does the program focus on?
The program focuses on two closely connected groups:
- Independent media and civil society organizations in Kosovo
- Kosovo-based ethical hackers and ethical hacker organizations ("white hats")
Why are independent media and civil society organizations a focus?
The program aims to help these organizations continue their work safely and reliably, particularly when they are investigating wrongdoing, demanding accountability from public institutions, and providing credible, unbiased reporting to the public.
What does "cyber security resilience" mean in this grant?
In this opportunity, resilience refers to the ability of participating organizations to prevent cyber incidents where possible, withstand attacks and disruptions, and recover after incidents so they can keep operating and publishing.
What kinds of cyber threats is the program trying to address?
The program explicitly mentions reducing exposure to common threats such as:
- Website defacements
- Account takeovers
- Phishing campaigns
- Data leaks
- Denial-of-service attacks
- Other disruptions that can silence reporting, compromise sources, or damage public trust
How does this program support the information environment in Kosovo?
By improving cyber resilience, the program supports a healthier information environment where independent organizations are better positioned to monitor government actions at national and local levels, push for transparency, and continue publishing even under pressure.
What is the second major objective of the grant?
The second major objective is capacity-building for Kosovo-based ethical hackers and ethical hacker organizations, with an emphasis on both technical capabilities and the ability to communicate cyber risks in plain language to non-technical audiences.
What communication skills are expected from ethical hackers involved in the project?
The program expects ethical hackers not only to identify vulnerabilities and recommend fixes, but also to explain how risks work in clear terms so media and civil society partners (and potentially the public) can understand what is happening and what actions to take.
What types of activities should competitive proposals include?
Based on the opportunity description, competitive proposals are expected to include several components, including:
- A credible network of ethical hackers capable of testing the online infrastructure of participating partners
- Hands-on assessment work such as vulnerability identification and controlled testing
- Sustainable partnerships with participating media outlets and civil society organizations
- Education and training activities that help organizations spot threats, respond to incidents, and improve security over time
- Communication strategies and public-facing awareness campaigns to spread lessons learned beyond the direct partner group
What does the grant mean by a "credible network" of ethical hackers?
The grant calls for applicants to bring or organize ethical hackers who can do practical, hands-on cyber security assessment work for participating organizations. This includes identifying weaknesses, performing responsible testing, and producing recommendations that help partners reduce real-world risk.
How many partner organizations should proposals include?
Proposals are expected to demonstrate at least 10 to 20 sustainable partnerships with media outlets and civil society organizations willing to participate actively and share lessons learned and best practices with others.
Are partnerships expected to include underserved or minority communities?
Yes. The opportunity emphasizes inclusion, stating that a significant number of partnerships should involve underserved minority communities in Kosovo.
Which underserved minority communities are explicitly mentioned?
The opportunity explicitly names communities including: Romani, Egyptian, Ashkali, Gorani, Bosniak, Turks, Serb, and others.
What is the relevance of the U.S. government definition of "underserved communities"?
The opportunity references the U.S. government definition tied to the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, indicating that the program intends benefits and protection to extend beyond the most visible or best-resourced organizations.
What kinds of training and education activities does the grant call for?
The opportunity calls for innovative education and training to help participating organizations recognize threats, respond to incidents, and strengthen systems over time. Examples mentioned include:
- Secure account management
- Safer communications
- Incident response planning
- Backup strategies
- Patching routines
- Other operational security habits that improve day-to-day resilience
Does the grant require public outreach or communications beyond the partner group?
Yes. The opportunity requires innovative communication strategies and public-facing awareness campaigns so knowledge gained is shared with other independent media, additional civil society organizations, and broader Kosovo audiences.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under CFDA 19.900.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $100,000.
How many awards does the funder expect to make?
The opportunity anticipates making about two awards.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posting indicates it was created on March 28, 2022.
What was the original closing date listed?
The original closing date listed is May 20, 2022.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others", with additional eligibility details referenced in the related documents.
What kind of impact is this grant trying to create?
The grant is structured to create a practical support system where ethical hackers and at-risk public-interest organizations work together in a sustained way to improve defenses, strengthen public communication about threats, and help Kosovo's independent information space remain resilient against cyber pressure.
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