Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) Scheme: Call for Projects to access 10 million Japanese Yen each

Deadline: 30-Sep-23

The Consulate General of Japan in Kolkata invites applications for the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) scheme from organizations in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha only.

Since 1989, the Government of Japan has been offering a financial assistance scheme called “the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP)” for development projects designed to meet the diverse basic human needs of the people in developing countries. The GGP has acquired an excellent reputation worldwide for providing timely support to the local communities at the grass-roots level. In India, the GGP scheme has been supporting projects to be implemented by nonprofit organizations such as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), educational and medical institutions eligible to receive foreign funds under the law of the Government of India.

The world today is facing a variety of challenges including poverty, starvation, infectious diseases, economic crisis, climate change and environmental issues. These endanger many lives and force them to live in difficult circumstances. For this, there is an increasing need for cooperation by the entire international community to realize a peaceful and affluent society in which everybody can live their individual lives in a humane manner to achieve which, cooperation with grassroots level organization is an effective means.

The Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) scheme was formulated to assist NGOs and local public authorities in developing countries in responding to various development needs in a prompt and complete manner. Over the years, the GGP scheme has acquired excellent global reputation for providing timely support to the local communities at the grassroots level.

Priority Areas of the GGP

• The following are the priority areas of the GGP:
  • Basic Human Needs and Human Security
  • Basic Health Care
  • Primary Education and Adult Illiteracy
  • Poverty Alleviation
  • Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation
  • Women’s Empowerment
  • Child Welfare including Support for Street Children and Elimination of Child Labour
  • Support for Persons with Disabilities
  • Preservation of Environment
• Specific GGP
  • In addition to general GGP, the following specific GGP are also provided in consideration of diplomatic needs as well as effectiveness and efficiency.
    • GGP that involves public-private partnerships: It is expected to be a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or SDG Business project in collaboration with Japanese or Japanese-affiliated companies contributing to people’s quality of life and resolving social challenges in the project area.
    • GGP that involves partnerships with local governments: Knowledge sharing from Japanese local governments contributing to socio-economic development
    • GGP for removal of antipersonnel land mines
    • GGP for recycling: If the project does not fall under the aforementioned areas, it is advisable to contact the corresponding GGP office.
• Notes:
  • The following areas cannot be supported by the GGP:
    • A project which is not aiming at the socio-economic development of India
    • A project which does not have clear and direct benefit at grassroots level
    • A project which contains political, religious or military purpose
    • A project focusing on art/cross-cultural activities
  • In case the GGP funded project generates profit, the profit should be utilized either to meet the recurring cost of the GGP funded project or for the benefit of the target group.
  • In case of projects designed for emergency relief work, please note that the sanction of such projects will depend on the merit of the plan. This is because the procedure of GGP requires time and sanction for projects may not be immediate.

Funding Information

• The GGP is one-time disbursement by the end of the fiscal year when its Grant Contract is signed. The maximum amount per project is 10 million Japanese Yen (fixed) and the grant is disbursed in US Dollars. They strongly recommend that organizations should make project budget based on their actual needs within this maximum amount.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the grant, the applicant must meet all the following criteria:

• The applicant must be one of the following organizations:
  • International, National or Local NGO
  • Local public authorities
  • Educational Institution
  • Medical Institution
• Registered organization under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976
• Registered organization under the relevant registration acts including national and state acts such as:
  • The Societies Registration Act, 1860
  • Charitable and Religious Trusts Act, 1920
  • Religious Endowments Act, 1863
  • Indian Trust Act, 1882
  • Section 25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956
• Minimum 2 years of direct/related experience in the proposed field of activity
• Not black-listed or court-listed by the state/central government. The applicant must not have any pending case with a court.

For more information, visit Consulate General of Japan in Kolkata.