The first phase of evaluations for the inaugural Trust and Unity Grant Contest, organised by the World Peoples Assembly, has been successfully concluded, with 20 projects shortlisted for further consideration.

A meeting of the Expert Council was convened to assess the entries, marking the beginning of the next stage of the competition — an in-depth individual evaluation of each shortlisted project.

The contest is designed to foster international partnerships, strengthen intercultural dialogue, and advance the values of public diplomacy.

According to organisers, projects were assessed on their social relevance, alignment with contest priorities, logical structure, feasibility of goals, cost-effectiveness, scope and international standing, team competence, development potential, level of global partnerships, and openness to media engagement.

The Expert Council brings together prominent specialists in public diplomacy from across the globe. They include Salaam Fakhri Hannah Altwal, Head of the Representative Office of the World Peoples Assembly in Jordan, President of Avicenna and Senior Specialist at the United Nations Development Programme in Jordan; Dshajani Irina, Chair of the Association of the Eurasian Partnership in Austria; Sukruti Narayanan, Director of Business Development and Communications at the Australian media and IT conglomerate MEWorld; Sabirov Kabuljon Kasimovich, Deputy Secretary-General of the World Peoples Assembly and Director of the SCO Centre for People’s Diplomacy in Uzbekistan; Igor Vasilyevich Khalevinsky, Member of the Supreme Advisory Council of the World Peoples Assembly and Chairman of the Council of the Association of Russian Diplomats; Victoria Chitungu, Director of the Livingston State Museum in Zambia; and Svetlana Stefanova Sharenkova, Deputy Secretary-General of the World Peoples Assembly and Chair of the Bulgaria-Russia Forum.

Commenting on the outcome of the first stage, Mr Khalevinsky, who also chairs the Expert Council, remarked: “The level of projects presented is very high, and we are pleased with their humanistic orientation, which contributes to the development of all humankind.”

Applications for the grant contest closed on 30 July, with a total of 76 projects submitted by organisations from more than 60 countries. Proposals cover a wide range of initiatives, including efforts to build trust between nations, promote cultural, scientific, educational and sporting cooperation, and preserve historical memory and humanitarian values.

The final results of the contest will be announced on 1 September, with grant disbursements and contract signings scheduled for 20 September on the sidelines of the World Peoples Assembly in Moscow.