By the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, Apia.
A Grantee Gathering was held on Friday, October 16, 2015 at the U.S. Embassy Residence Vailima for the Organizations that received funding from U.S. Embassy Apia’s 2015 Public Diplomacy Grants. Embassy Apia’s Public Diplomacy Grants Program is a competitive program that offers small grants, from WST$5,000-$15,000, to various organizations to strengthen democracy, engage youth and alumni, promote U.S.-Samoa links, address climate change and health concerns, the advancement of human rights and women’s rights. This year’s grants totalling close to WST $100,000.
The U.S. Embassy Apia’s 2015 Public Diplomacy Grants Recipients are as follows;
- The Katinas (Feast of Tabernacles arranged by Michael Hickey Events)
- Samoa National Youth Council (SNYC)
- Samoa Family Health Association
- Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS)
- Samoa Alliance of Media Practitioners for Development
- UN Women
- Samoa Victims Support Group
- Nelson Memorial Library – American Corner
- Future Leaders of the Pacific 2015 candidate – Ms. Temukisa Faumuina
The Grantee Gathering’s main focus was to recognize their efforts and congratulate the recipients on receiving funding from the 2015 U.S. Embassy Apia Public Diplomacy Grant Scheme. The event was hosted by the new Chargé d’Affaires Ms. Angelina Wilkinson who also delivered the key note address for the ceremony. It was an extremely competitive process and CDA Angelina Wilkinson congratulated each organization for their perseverance in securing funding for their projects. In her remarks she reiterated that Samoa and the United States are both Pacific nations that share the values of democracy, religious freedom, fair economic opportunity, and human rights. Ms. Wilkinson said that it is a privilege being able to continuously lend a helping hand to the Samoan community.
