Deadline: 15-May-21
The U.S. Embassy Accra is currently seeking proposals for the Special Self-Help Program.
The U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program’s (SSH) goal is to provide small-scale assistance directly to Ghanaian community-based organizations as part of an ongoing commitment by the U.S. government to support Ghanaian-driven development activities at the local level.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $60,000;
- Award Ceiling: $12,000;
- Award Floor: $2,000.
What does not qualify for a grant?
The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program cannot fund:
- Military, law enforcement, police, or prison-related activities;
- Administration or operating costs of grant activities (Examples: salaries, transportation costs, per diems, rent, electricity bills, internet data bundles, talk time, or school fees);
- Religious or political activities;
- Investment in personal businesses, for-profit enterprises, or sole-proprietorships;
- Activities with unmitigated and negative environmental consequences (Examples: dams or roads through forest lands, or a toilet block next to a body of water);
- Costs associated with events or ceremonies, (Examples: alcohol, entertainment, dancers, poets, musicians, venue rental, or food and drink);
- Purchase of vehicles, office supplies, printers, copiers, computers, tablet computers, mobile phones, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, surveillance equipment, luxury goods, or gambling equipment; or
- Activities that benefit any employee or immediate family member of an employee of the U.S. government.
Eligibility Criteria
- The project must be initiated by the community and should benefit the community by increasing income or improving living or social conditions. If the project is designed to generate income, it must be truly community-based and not a for-profit enterprise or sole proprietorship, and the project must have a plan for equitable distribution of any income generated.
- Applicants must be a non-profit organization, NGO, or CBO registered with the Government of Ghana, or a community association formed at least one year before the date of application.
- The proposed project should be a single activity that helps to improve basic economic or social conditions at the community level. Projects should be administered at the community level.
- The project should be sustainable and not require continued support after the one-time contribution from the Special Self-Help Program.
- Substantial community participation is required during the project. Contributions may include labor, materials, equipment, land, buildings, or funding.
- Projects must be within the ability of the community to operate and maintain sustainably.
- All projects must be completed within one calendar year of the grant award date.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=331414