“The goal of the program is that, at the end of its implementation, the target audience will demonstrate a deeper understanding of American values and culture, as well as the role that art plays in stimulating discussion among people, civil society organizations and authorities about the challenges facing society today” , is specified in the document.
To achieve the set goals, contractors are expected, among other things, to organize and hold street art exhibitions, create related digital products (videos, information for social networks, online projects).
In the course of the work, recipients of funding will have to pay special attention to topics such as "democracy and human rights", "equality", "inclusiveness" and others.
The United States is ready to allocate up to $150,000 for the implementation of the program.
Note that the State Department has already funded similar projects in China.
In particular, in 2021 and 2022, the walls of the American embassy in Beijing were decorated with images dedicated to the topics of “freedom of expression”, “protection of the environment” and “climate change”, follows from the description of the grant.
Victoria Fedosova, Deputy Director of the RUDN Institute for Strategic Studies and Forecasts, in a conversation with RT, called this initiative a familiar model for the spread of US soft power in other countries.
According to her, the Americans used it in a number of states, including in the post-Soviet space.
“If they want to work out such a scheme in China, then, of course, the amount of funds is absolutely ridiculous ... They believe that American propaganda and information warfare specialists can cover any significant amount of Chinese audience for $150,000?
In principle, this seems difficult, ”the expert added.
At the same time, she noted that the Chinese have been observing for many years how “American democracy” is being implemented in various regions of the world.
“High-ranking Chinese officials from the Foreign Ministry do publish quite viral memes that relate to the hypocrisy of American politics in general.
The Chinese will not be able to explain how the Americans want to build “constructive relations” with them ... The Chinese simply do not need this program, ”concluded Fedosova.
In the fall of 2022, it was reported that the United States intended to allocate funds to “strengthen ties” with Japan.
As clarified in the relevant documents, it was about work, including in such areas as culture and security.
The United States has been implementing similar projects in a number of countries over the years.
According to experts, such a policy involves interference in the internal affairs of those countries where it is carried out.