Deadline: 30-Jun-24
The U.S. Embassy Luanda is pleased to announce the availability of a funding opportunity through the 2024 Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund to support local requests for small community-based development projects.
The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) program is a grass-roots grant assistance program that allows U.S. Ambassadors to support local requests for small community-based development projects. The purpose of the Special Self-Help Program is to support communities through modest grants that will positively impact local communities. The SSH philosophy is to help communities ready to help themselves.
Funding Information
- Total Amount Available: Approximately $30,000
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 4-10
- Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 1 year or less.
- Award Ceiling: $10,000
- Award Floor: $2,000
Ineligible Funding
- The Special Self Help Program does not fund:
- Requests to buy equipment like vehicles, office equipment, copiers, stereos.
- Proposals that have a purely police, military, or cultural emphasis.
- Religious projects unless they genuinely assist the whole community without regard to religious affiliation.
- Personal businesses.
- Scholarships, donations, or honorariums.
- Payment for pesticides, herbicides, labor, salaries, operating costs, printing material, fuel, or land.
- To remodel or renovate an existing facility that is in disrepair as a result of neglect or lack of money.
- Office supplies such as pencils, paper, forms, and folders.
- Projects that are partially funded by another donor or from the government of your country. Funds cannot be commingled with funds from other donors, international organization, or other U.S. government programs.
- Projects that focus on refugees or displaced persons. There are specific U.S. bilateral or multilateral assistance programs designed to address their needs.
- SSH funds may not be used to buy previously owned equipment, luxury goods, or gambling equipment.
- Salaries or supervision costs for the supervising organization. Contingency estimates also do not qualify.
Elements of Successful Projects
- The project is initiated by the community.
- The project plan contains pre-established long-term goals and a coherent plan to keep the project running in the future.
- A capable project manager who is a long-term resident in the community and is responsible for the project.
- The project is assisted by a non-biased umbrella organization, such as a religious mission or a local NGO that provides guidance and arbitration on issues when necessary.
- There is strong coordination and communication amongst the grant-recipient group, local leaders, and local government representatives.
- The project makes use of materials and supplies that can be maintained by the community, and the use of materials that will not harm the environment.
Eligibility Criteria
- All citizens of Sao Tome and Principe representing a civilian, religious, social, community development, special interest, disability, or advocacy group or organization may request funding for a community activity. Groups must be registered with the proper authorities. The project must be submitted by an organized group who are motivated, have a real need, and have already successfully implemented projects in the community. The project should be feasible and based on the socio-economic context of the local community. To be eligible for funding your project must meet the following criteria:
- The project should help improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level and have long-lived value.
- The project should be high impact, benefiting the greatest number of people possible.
- Substantial community participation in the activity is required. Contributions may include labor, materials (bricks, sand, gravel, seeds, etc.), land, buildings, or money to ensure the success of the project.
- Each funded project must be completed within twelve (12) months or less.
- Projects must be self-sustaining upon completion. The U.S. Embassy’s support for the project must be a one-time-only/one grant contribution.
- Projects must be within the community’s ability to maintain and operate. Requests for large-scale agriculture or construction projects, or for expensive equipment are not considered priority projects.
- Managers of a project should have evidence that they are financially responsible and will be able to account for funds sent to them. Having a bank account, or establishing credit with vendors, are examples of such evidence.
- The requested amount for implementing activities cannot exceed $10,000. Project budgets generally range from $2,000 to $10,000.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.