U.S. Embassy in Benin: Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (SSH)

Deadline: 31 May 2017

U.S. Embassy in Benin is seeking applications for its Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (SSH) to assist Beninese community groups to develop lasting, self-sustaining projects that benefit entire communities.

SSH grants in Benin have contributed to agricultural modernization, economic development, combatting early marriages and gender-based violence, improving sanitation, empowering women, improving learning conditions, and greater access to clean water, health services, and education.

Grants from this program are awarded to non-governmental organizations and community groups to carry out small development projects. The goal of this program is to encourage community involvement and the use of local resources and expertise to improve basic economic and social conditions of the local community.

Funding Information

Each year, the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund supports approximately six to ten projects with grants typically under $5,000.

Eligibility Criteria

SSH projects are for community-based groups or organizations, initiated locally, administered at the local level.
To qualify for an SSH Fund grant, projects must involve significant community contribution in the form of funding, materials, and/or labor.
Applicants must have the ability to manage SSH projects independently and complete their project within twelve months of signing an SSH contract.
Consideration will be given to projects with the following qualities:
- Foster community self-reliance;
- Have significant community participation and contributions – volunteer time and labor, donated land, equipment, and/or materials;
- Deliver measurable results (e.g. show how activities led to positive changes within the community);
- Help improve basic economic, social, and/or health conditions at the local community or village level;
- Fall within the ability of the local community to implement and maintain into the future;
- Respect environmental norms for small projects and will not adversely affect protected or other sensitive environmental areas nor jeopardize threatened or endangered species and their habitat;
- Can be completed within one year; and
- Are viable and sustainable in terms of finance, support, and necessary expertise and services.