Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund

PLEASE REFER TO RELATED DOCUMENTS TAB TO ACCESS THE FULL Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and Mandatory Forms.



PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa and the U.S. Department of State are pleased to announce an open competition for organizations 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 the Democratic Republic of Congo. The program aims to address development challenges via targeted, small-scale goals that encourage self-reliance within local communities. Selected projects must have strong community involvement with a substantial community benefit that is self-sustaining and ongoing. Projects to support vulnerable populations, including women, people living with disabilities, victims of gender-based violence, orphans and homeless children, etc., are particularly desirable.

Eligibility is restricted to local NGOs, community associations, and cooperatives. Funding will be distributed pending congressional funding approval no later than September 30 th . The maximum grant award will be $16,000 and grants must be completed within one year.

Project Objectives: SH funds are meant for activities that are community driven and serve the community at large where they are being funded.

The most successful project proposals will target health, education, and development challenges and will:

· Demonstrate a clear, ongoing benefit to the local community;

· Include a significant contribution from the community in the form of labor, land, materials, or money;

· Be within the local community’s ability to manage and maintain on a sustainable basis;

· Have a net-positive impact on the local environment;

· Respect human rights, including disability rights and gender equality.

Below is a sample list of the types of projects the Department will consider funding:

· Small construction projects (less than 10,000 sq. ft.) – school rooms, community centers, health facilities, foot bridges, housing for a government or

community-paid nurse or teacher, workshops, community abattoir, grain storage, rural airstrip for a hospital, and school dormitory for distant students.

· Water-related projects – wells, latrines, pumps, bore holes, shower stalls and sinks and fishponds.

· School equipment and supplies – desks, chairs, laboratory equipment and library items.

· Communal construction equipment such as a brick-making machine.

· Income generating equipment – weaving looms, tools for furniture making, rice-milling machine. (Must be maintainable by local community).

Funds may not be used for:

• Operating or recurring costs (salaries, rent, administrative or maintenance costs, fuel);
• Individual travel expenses (lodging, transportation, food, fuel);
• Religious, police, law enforcement, prison, or military activities;
• Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship or support to an individual or party in electoral campaigns;
• The purchase, operation, or maintenance of vehicles;
• Activities with negative environmental consequences;
• Activities which benefit any US government employees.

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 12 months or less

Number of awards anticipated: 3 awards

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $16,000

Total available funding: $50,000

Type of Funding: FY22 Ambassador’s Special Self Help Fund

Funding instrument type: Fixed Amount Award

Anticipated program start date: October 31 st , 2023

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

To submit your application and if you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: POLGrantsKinshasa@state.gov

Local NGOs, Community associations, Cooperatives