Deadline: 28 February 2018
The U.S. Embassy in Zambia is seeking applications for its U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self Help & Community Investment Small Grants Programs to provide small-scale assistance directly to Zambian community-based organizations as part of an ongoing commitment by the U.S. government to support Zambian-driven development activities at the local level.
Funding Information
The requested amount for implementing activities must be reasonable; project budgets range from US$ 500 to US$15,000.
Criteria
In order to be considered, applicants must adhere to the following criteria:
- Must be a registered community-based organization (individuals and for profit businesses are not eligible).
- The project should be a single activity that helps improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level, and have long-lived value. A successful proposal should also demonstrate the likelihood that it will be sustained over a long period.
- Funding is limited to one project, which, once started, must be completed within ten (10) months or less. Grantees should recognize that funding is granted (not loaned) and on a one-time basis only. (Communities may only benefit once from the SSH/CI grant program).
- Projects should be high-impact, benefiting the greatest number of people possible. Projects which directly benefit only a limited number of people are discouraged.
- Project proposals should respect the environmental norms for small projects and not adversely affect protected or other sensitive environmental areas, threatened or endangered species and their habitat.
- The project must not replace or supplement activities normally supplied by the Zambian government, such as providing supplies for a district hospital, etc.
- Substantial community participation in activity is required. Contributions may include labor, materials (bricks, sand, gravel, seeds, etc.), land, buildings, or money to ensure the success of the project.
- Projects must be within the community’s ability to plan, execute, and maintain. The U.S. Embassy provides financial support only. Requests for large-scale agriculture or construction projects or for expensive equipment will not be priority projects.
- Managers of a project should have evidence that they are financially responsible and will be able to account for any funds disbursed to their organizations. Having a bank account or establishing credit with vendors are examples of such evidence.
- Successful applicants must have the ability to send one representative to Lusaka to attend the half-day grant signing ceremony and workshop.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via email at the address given on the website.
Eligible Country: Zambia
For more information, please visit U.S. Embassy in Zambia.