Deadline: 31 March 2020
U.S. Embassy Kampala, Small Grants Office announces an open competition for registered organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that are community-based, initiated locally, administered at the local level, and include significant community contributions in cash, labor, or materials. This program supports small sustainable community-based initiatives that have immediate and dramatic impact on local community.
The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program project supports small-scale community-based initiatives that promote self-reliance, foster development, and promise an immediate and dramatic effect on local communities.
The purpose of the program is to support different types of capacity-building projects: from development projects (schools, health clinics, wells), to projects that aid employment and help communities develop marketable skills (village craft centers, agricultural cooperatives), to projects that address concerns such as women’s empowerment and the environment.
For SSH 2020, The Embassy will prioritize projects focusing on projects that address gender equality and women’s empowerment, and environmental protection/impact. They will accept all applications, but priority will be given to those two focus areas.
Funding Information
- Embassy Kampala expects to have approximately $50,000 available to support five to eight organizations, subject to the availability of funding.
- Grants are typically between $5,000 and $10,000 per project.
- Project proposals should include a period of performance starting after September 2020 and concluding by September 2021.
Ineligible Expenses
Special Self-Help funds cannot be used for:
- Remodeling or renovating existing facilities that are in disrepair as a result of neglect or insufficient maintenance funds;
- Activities that could potentially create tension within the community, harm community members, or damage the environment;
- Construction;
- Religious or military activities;
- Sport equipment or uniforms for a national sports team;
- Musical instruments or uniforms for a national orchestra or dance company;
- Surveillance equipment;
- Abortion-related facilities and services;
- Alcohol;
- Used equipment, entertainment, luxury goods or gambling equipment;
- Payments to Government Officials;
- Ceremonies, parties, celebrations or ‘representation’ expenses; or
- Technical assistance programs
Eligibility Criteria
- The Small Grants Office welcomes applications from all established Uganda-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO), Community Based Organizations (CBO), and Grassroots organizations.
- All SSH proposals must:
- Be community-based;
- Be initiated locally;
- Be administered at the local level; and
- Include community participation and contributions in cash, labor, and/or materials.
- Organizations that apply for SSH funds must be established as Community Based Organizations (CBO) or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) with the Government of Uganda. Registration is not necessary; if organization is registered, please provide registration certificate.
- All applicants must display sound management in the form of financial and administrative procedures that protect against waste, fraud, and abuse.
How to Apply
All application materials must be submitted in English. Please make a copy of your entire application for your own records.
Please submit application package in Word and Excel format; do not PDF.
Applications must be submitted at the address given on the website.
For more information, visit https://ug.usembassy.gov/notice-of-funding-opportunity-nofo-ambassadors-special-self-help-program-2020-closing-31-march-2020/