Deadline: 30 May 2020
The Embassy of the United States of America in Mozambique welcomes the submission of proposals for funding under the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund. The SSH Fund assists Mozambican community organizations and groups to develop lasting, self-sustaining projects that benefit entire communities.
Purpose of Small Grants: In Mozambique, the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) program started in 1988 and allows the Embassy to respond quickly to local requests for small community-based development projects. The SSH program across Africa received $2 million in 2019 through the Africa Regional Economic Support Fund.
Each project is expected to:
- Foster community self-reliance;
- Have community participation and contribution – volunteer time and labor, donated land, equipment and materials — and the U.S. contribution must be on a one-time basis only;
- Improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level;
- Be viable and sustainable in terms of finance, personnel support, necessary expertise and services;
- Respect environmental norms for small projects; the proposed activity will not adversely affect protected or other sensitive environmental areas nor jeopardize threatened and endangered species and their habitat; and
- Not exceed twelve months in duration.
Some examples of past SSH grants include:
- Water Projects – boreholes, irrigation, or water collection systems, storage tanks;
- Health & Hygiene – latrines at schools and clinics, community gardens;
- Environmental Projects – recycling, solar panel systems, organic fertilization production;
- Education Projects – classrooms, community libraries; and
- Income Generating Projects – oil press for nuts, maize milling facility, clothing production, carpentry tools, brick making machines.
Unallowable Activities
- Religious, military, or law enforcement activities;
- Activities with unmitigated and negative environmental consequences (such as dams or roads through forest lands);
- Procurement of vehicles;
- Activities that benefit any employee of the United States Government;
- Activities related to human rights;
- Procurement of pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides;
- Provision of capital to beneficiaries through either loans or grants;
- Revolving credit schemes;
- Lobbying for specific legislation or projects;
- Purchase of alcohol, medicine, school uniforms, school fees, bursaries, or personal expense;
- Purchase of food and food parcels;
- Fees or salaries, including those for training, seminars, travel costs, or per diem; and
- For used equipment – to avoid recurring maintenance and support cost. There is a general policy for financing only new equipment unless it is simple in design and spare parts are available locally.
Funding Information
- Anticipated award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000
- Total available funding: $50,000
- Length of performance period: 06 to 12 months
- Anticipated program start date: September 2020
Eligibility Criteria
The SSH Program will only accept proposals from:
- Registered not-for-profit organizations, including civil society/non-governmental, organizations headquartered in Mozambique.
- Established, registered grassroots community-based organizations (CBOs) and Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) headquartered in Mozambique.
- Applicants must display sound management in the form of financial and administrative procedures that protect against fraud, waste, and abuse.
- For-profit, commercial entities and individuals are not eligible to apply.
Criteria
Full applications will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria described below:
- Organizational experience, capacity, and record on previous grants: The organization has experience and expertise in its stated field and the Community Grants Office is confident of its ability to undertake the proposed project. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.
- Feasibility of Design: Clearly articulates how the activities will lead to overall objectives. Objectives must be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. The timeline for the project completion is one year or less.
- Goals and objectives: Goals and objectives are clearly stated, and project approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.
- Embassy priorities: Applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support the U.S. Embassy priorities stated in this document. The number of people to benefit will be considered when determining if a project can be funded.
- Reasonable and Realistic Budget: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.
- Monitoring and evaluation plan: Applicant demonstrates it can measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The project includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured.
- Sustainability & Financial Self Reliance: The project is focused on results building and strengthening the capacity of the community. Include a detailed plan for sustaining the activities beyond the life of the grant. Includes description of community contribution (cash, labor, materials) and their involvement with a plan to continue and build on project results.
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.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize the proposal template.
For more information, visit https://mz.usembassy.gov/2020-notice-of-funding-opportunity-u-s-ambassadors-special-self-help-fund-ssh/
