The State Department is spending $45,000 to teach Indian citizens how to record videos on their smartphones.
The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai issued a grant announcement on Tuesday, with plans to finance five video blogger training workshops in order to "connect" with urban youth in the South Asian country.
"It is estimated India has over 123 million smartphone users, and the Indian smartphone market is the fastest growing in the Asia-Pacific region," the grant announcement said. "By 2016, it is estimated there will be more smartphones in use in India than the United States."
"The smartphone quickly is becoming one of the most important ways to connect with Indian audiences, particularly urban youth, media, business leaders, and government officials," the State Department said. "As mobile phones become more commonplace, digital content, in particular videos, will become one of the most effective ways to communicate messages and mobilize communities."
"In recognition of the important role video plays in today’s world of digital communication, the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai will sponsor video blogger, or ‘vlogger’ training workshops around the country," it said.
The State Department will award the grant to a nonprofit organization that will oversee workshops at U.S. consulates in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
"The training will enable participants to learn how to take, edit, and show videos to communicate more effectively," the grant announcement said. "The workshops should be two to three days in length and include hands-on, practical training so participants will have the opportunity to practice the curriculum. The training focus should be on low-tech vlogging, preferably through the use of mobile phones, tablets, or still cameras with video functionality."
The grant will provide up to $45,000 for the training, though the State Department said they reserve the right to spend more or less if it is "deemed to be in the best interest of the U.S. government."
The budget will include economy class round-trip airfare to India and between the five consulates, lodging, ground transportation, "communications expenses," equipment, and Internet costs.