Deadline: 30-Apr-2024
The U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo and the U.S. Department of State are pleased to announce an open competition for registered NGOs and associations interested in submitting applications to carry out projects through the Ambassador’s Special Self-help (SSH) Small Grants Program.
The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program provides small grants to assist community development projects that improve basic economic or social conditions in local communities across Madagascar and the Comoros. The program aims to encourage self-reliance within local communities by providing some of the resources they need to a good idea into action.
Funding Information
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $4,000 to a maximum of $7,500.
- Anticipated program start date: October 01, 2024
- Length of performance period: 12 months or less
- Number of awards anticipated: 4 to 7 awards (depending upon amounts)
- Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 1 year or less.
Eligible Projects
- To be eligible for funding your project must meet the following criteria:
- helps improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level and have long-lived value.
- demonstrates a clear impact that will benefit a large number of people within one year.
- has a substantial community participation in the activity. Contributions may include labor, materials (bricks, sand, gravel, seeds, etc.), land, buildings, or money to ensure the success of the project.
- is initiated and administered at a local level.
- lists multiple key members and a brief biographical sketch that includes their experience and responsibility to the organization and the project; managers of a project should have evidence that they are financially responsible and will be able to account for funds sent to them.
- is self-sustaining upon completion. The U.S. Embassy’s support for the project must be a one-time-only/one grant contribution.
- is within the ability of the local community to manage and maintain on a sustainable basis; Requests for large-scale agriculture or construction projects, or for expensive equipment are not considered priority projects.
- respect human rights, including disability rights, gender equality, and under-represented groups. Strong proposals should also have a net-positive impact on the local environment.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Registered associations and non-profit NGOs located in Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros.
- Associations/non-profit NGOs run by or working with people with disabilities are encouraged to participate to this program.
- Local Community Involvement:
- Local involvement (Cost-sharing) of the organization or group must be at least 10% in cash or in kind of the total project costs. The local contributions can be in cash or in kind. In-kind contributions could be: labor (wages of masons and workers), food, accommodation for qualified labor, carts of sand or gravel, bricks for construction, sand, fence, water supply, transportation costs, donations of materials etc.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Madagascar.