First Stage of Evaluation Completed for “Trust and Unity” Grant Contest
The Expert Council of the World Peoples Assembly has completed the first stage of evaluating applications for the inaugural Grant Contest “Trust and Unity.” Following a thorough review, a shortlist of 20 projects has been formed, and the next phase of individual evaluation is now underway.
The contest is designed to promote international partnership, strengthen intercultural dialogue, and advance the values of public diplomacy. During the review, experts analyzed each project’s relevance and social significance, alignment with the contest’s priorities, logical coherence, feasibility, budget justification, international scope, team expertise, and potential for development and media visibility.
The Expert Council features renowned specialists in public diplomacy from around the world, including:
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Salaam Fakhri Hannah Altwal (Jordan) – Head of the World Peoples Assembly Representative Office in Jordan, President of Avicenna, and Senior Specialist at UNDP.
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Dshajani Irina (Austria) – Chairman of the Association of the Eurasian Partnership.
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Sukruti Narayanan (Australia) – Director of Business Development and Communications, MEWorld.
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Sabirov Kabuljon Kasimovich (Uzbekistan) – Deputy Secretary General of the World Peoples Assembly, Director of the SCO Center for People's Diplomacy in Uzbekistan.
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Igor Vasilyevich Khalevinsky (Russia) – Chairman of the Council of the Association of Russian Diplomats and member of the Supreme Advisory Council of the World Peoples Assembly.
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Victoria Chitungu (Zambia) – Director of the Livingston State Museum.
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Svetlana Stefanova Sharenkova (Bulgaria) – Deputy Secretary General of the World Peoples Assembly, Chairman of the Bulgaria-Russia Forum.
“The level of projects presented is very high,” said Igor Khalevinsky, Chairman of the Expert Council. “We are pleased with their humanistic orientation, which contributes to the development of all mankind.”
Applications for the contest closed on July 30, with 76 proposals submitted by organizations from more than 60 countries. These projects focus on building trust among nations, fostering intercultural, scientific, educational, and sports cooperation, and preserving historical memory and humanitarian values.
The final results of the contest will be announced on September 1, with grant awards and contract signings scheduled for September 20 during the World Public Assembly in Moscow.