NOFO: Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program – Côte d’Ivoire

Deadline: 15-Mar-2025

The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Embassy Abidjan) is pleased to announce an open competition for organizations to submit a project proposal for its Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program.

Objectives

• Priority consideration is given to income generating projects that improve basic economic or social conditions at the village level and benefit many people.
• Proposals submitted by community groups, village associations, women’s groups, or any other community-based group that can show it has formed into an entity recognized by the relevant authority in the area where it operates will be prioritized.
• The SSH Program receives hundreds of applications for funding each year. All submissions are reviewed in a competitive and transparent manner. However, given the limited funding available through the SSH Program, they can only fund a small number of projects each year.
• Organizations must clearly describe their commitment to inclusion, equity and diversity in their proposal. This should be reflected in the project’s objectives, methodologies and expected outcomes. Detail how these principles are integrated into all aspects of the project, from planning to execution. For example, if their project involves community or student engagement, explain how they will ensure representation from diverse groups and how their input will shape the direction of the project.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $50,000 pending availability of funds)
• Award Amounts: $2,000 – $11,000 (~ 1,500,000 to 6,000,000 FCFA)
• Length of Performance Period: 8 to 12months

Ineligible Projects

• The following types of projects are not eligible for funding:
  • Requests to buy sophisticated equipment such as vehicles, motorcycles, computers, etc.
  • Projects relating to partisan political activity;
  • Projects that support specific religious activities;
  • Fund-raising campaigns or lobbying for specific legislation or projects; Scientific research;
  • Projects that duplicate existing projects;
  • Private commercial enterprises;
  • Payments for pesticides, herbicides; scholarships, workshops, or seminars;
  • Construction projects, although certain projects, such as renovating canteens, community centers, or other buildings that involve minimum construction and risks could qualify.

Eligibility Criteria

• There are three basic eligibility requirements:
  • The applicant must be a Côte d’Ivoire registered non-governmental, non-profit, or community-based organization.
  • Registered non-governmental organizations, trusts, associations, cooperatives, women’s groups, schools, churches, etc. meet this eligibility requirement.
  • All applications must include and identify a significant community contribution (cash, labor, and/or materials).
  • Applicants must display sound management capabilities in the form of financial and administrative procedures that protect against fraud, waste, and abuse.
  • For-profit or commercial entities and individuals are not eligible for SSH funding.

Application Requirements

• Please ensure:
  • The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity
  • All documents are in English
  • All budgets are in U.S. dollars
  • All pages are numbered
  • All documents are formatted to fit 8 ½ x 11 paper, and
  • All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.
• Summary Page (1 page)
  • Cover sheet stating the applicant’s name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.
• Proposal (6 pages maximum)
  • The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below:
    • Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives and anticipated impact.
    • Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the State Department and/or U.S. government agencies.
    • Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed
    • Project Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.
    • Project Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.
    • Project Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate.
    • Proposed Project Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.
    • Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program?
    • Project Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.
    • Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?
    • Future Funding or Sustainability: Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.
• Attachments
  • 1-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program
  • Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner
  • If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, include your latest NICRA as a PDF file.
  • Official permission letters, if required for program activities.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Côte D’Ivoire.