Deadline: 30 June 2020
The U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo of the U.S. Department of State Office announces an open competition for registered NGO and associations interested in submitting applications to carry out projects through the Ambassador’s Special Self Help (SSH) Small Grants Program.
The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program provides small grants to assist community development projects that improve basic economic or social conditions in local communities across Madagascar and the Comoros. The program aims to encourage self-reliance within local communities by assisting them with the resources they need to move from a good idea to taking action. The community organization often makes a significant contribution to the project in the form of labor, land, materials, or money.
The most successful project proposals will:
- demonstrate a clear impact that will benefit a large number of people within one year;
- be initiated and administered at a local level and include a significant contribution from the community in the form of labor, land, materials, or money;
- list multiple key members and a brief biographical sketch that includes their experience and responsibility to the organization and the project;
- be within the ability of the local community to manage and maintain on a sustainable basis;
- contribute, whenever possible, to income-generating or self-sustaining activities;
- respect human rights, including disability rights, gender equality, and environmental norms.
Activities
Activities SSH funds may not be used for, include, but are not limited to:
- operating or recurring costs (salaries, rent, administrative or maintenance costs, fuel);
- individual travel expenses (lodging, transportation, food and beverages, fuel);
- religious/police/law enforcement/prison-related/political or military activities;
- projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single party electoral campaigns;
- Value Added Taxes;
- the purchase, operation, or maintenance of vehicles;
- sports supplies or equipment;
- ongoing education or training programs;
- perishable goods such as food or medicine;
- activities with unmitigated and negative environmental consequences (such as dams or roads through forest lands);
- activities which benefit any employee of the USG.
Funding Information
- Total available funding: $40,000 for Madagascar and $40,000 for the Comoros (TBC)
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $3,000 to a maximum of $10,000
- Length of performance period: 12 months or less
- Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2020
Eligibility Criteria
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Registered associations and non-profit NGOs located in Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros.
- Associations/non-profit NGOs run by or working with people with disabilities are encouraged to participate to this program
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
For more information, visit https://mg.usembassy.gov/ambassadors-special-self-help-program-small-grants/