Deadline: 26-Apr-24
The U.S. Embassy Mbabane, Eswatini of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications for funding through the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program.
Program Objective
- The Ambassador’s Special-Self Help (SSH) Programme is a grass-roots grant assistance programme that allows the U.S Ambassadors to support local requests for small community-based development projects. The purpose of the Special Self-Help Programme is to support communities through modest grants that will positively impact local communities. The SSH philosophy is to help communities to help themselves.
Funding Information
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $3,000 to a maximum of $9,000.
- Length of performance period: 12 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 6 awards (dependent on amounts)
- Anticipated programs start date: September 16, 2024
Acceptable Projects
- Water Supply and Sanitation:
- Safe Water Access – Increase access to water (e.g., well drilling and spring capping); and expansion of water supply infrastructure, such as pumps and distribution systems.
- Basic Sanitation – Increase access to and use of sanitation services for safe human waste disposal to protect human health and environmental quality.
- Social Services:
- Assist vulnerable and at-risk populations. These groups include: the disabled; orphans, children, and youth; victims of gender-based violence; ethnic minorities or other socially excluded groups; the elderly; and female heads of household.
- Projects for vulnerable groups could include, but are not limited to:
- classrooms construction
- school and health centers equipment,
- income-generating activities
- local infrastructures
Participants and Audiences
- The U.S Embassy, Mbabane is seeking proposals from local community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and other civil society groups, faith-based organizations, advocacy groups, community development groups, and other community-based entities.
Priority Region: All 4 regions of Eswatini
Eligibility Criteria
- There is a strong preference to fund local community organizations that are serving grassroots need and a project that is community generated, implemented, and supported. The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including civil society/non-governmental organizations.
- Community based organizations, schools, clinics, community development groups, advocacy groups
- No applications are accepted from individuals or private business. Only projects that have strong community involvement, benefit the greatest number of people within the community and lead to ongoing self-sustaining activities are eligible to apply. There is a strong preference to fund local community organizations that are serving grassroots need and a project that is community generated, implemented, and supported.
Ineligible
- Requests to buy equipment like vehicles, office equipment, copiers, and stereos.
- Proposals that have a purely police, prison, military, or cultural emphasis.
- Religious projects unless they genuinely assist the whole community without regard to religious affiliation.
- Personal businesses.
- Scholarships, donations, or honorariums.
- HIV/AIDS projects.
- Projects that the community cannot continue after the SSH funding cycle has ended.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.