Deadline: 4-Aug-23
The U.S. Embassy Gaborone of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for registered organizations to submit proposals to implement community-initiated development projects through the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) Small Grants Program.
Purpose of Small Grants
- The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund program is a grass-roots assistance program that provides small-scale assistance to communities throughout Botswana as part of an ongoing commitment by the U.S. government to support development activities at the local level.
- The ASSHF program is intended to be flexible and allow the Ambassador to respond directly to requests from local communities for assistance with projects that have immediate impact, and further Mission priorities.
- Equally important, the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund program is structured to encourage communities to be self-reliant and undertake similar activities on their own in the future.
Objectives
- Acceptable project objectives include, but are not limited to the following:
- Economic diversification, including small business creation and income generation
- Generate sustainable income and employment opportunities in local communities;
- Advance economic diversification at the grassroots level and promote a culture of entrepreneurship;
- Encourage use of local natural resources for income generation;
- Purchase of income generating equipment;
- Improve basic economic or living conditions of a community.
- Social services to assist disadvantaged populations
- Assist populations which may be disadvantaged or at-risk, including people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, the elderly and female heads of household;
- Construct and/or furnish community-initiated health facilities or clinics;
- Construct water and sanitation related projects such as latrines, wells, pumps, and bore holes.
- Community-based natural resource management
- Youth and child development
- Assist youth to gain knowledge and tools to live positively, set life goals and enhance their own health, safety and security;
- Purchase of school equipment, furnishings, and books;
- Construct school rooms or community centers;
- Create opportunities for youth, including employment.
- Economic diversification, including small business creation and income generation
Funding Information
- Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $20,000
- Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in twelve months or less.
- Anticipated project start date: October 1, 2023
- Length of performance period: One year
- Number of awards anticipated: Five to ten awards (dependent on grant amounts)
Participants and Audiences
- All applicants must be registered Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs). U.S. Embassy Gaborone welcomes proposals and applications from Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that work directly with communities.
- Organizations with currently running projects may apply if they justify the need for more resources in new directions.
- Individuals, private business enterprises, or government departments or entities are NOT eligible for funding.
Eligibility Criteria
- The U.S. Embassy Gaborone Small Grants Office welcomes applications from all established Botswana-based organizations to include:
- Registered not-for-profit organizations (NPOs,) including civil society/nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
- Established, registered grassroots community-based organizations (CBOs) and Faith Based Organizations (FBOs).
- To be eligible for funding, your project must meet the following criteria:
- Be community-based;
- Be initiated locally;
- Be administered at the local level; and
- Include substantial community participation and contributions;
- Organizations that apply for SSH funds must be established and registered as Community Based Organizations (CBO) or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) at the local government level in the communities in which they work. Please provide registration certificate;
- Help improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level and have long-lived value;
- The projects should be high impact, benefiting the greatest number of people possible.
- Funding is limited to one project, which must be completed within twelve 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;
- All applicants must display sound management in the form of financial and administrative procedures that protect against waste, fraud, and abuse.
- For-profit, commercial entities, and individuals are not eligible to apply.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.