The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Small Grants Program is a lifeline for grassroots organizations and community groups looking to improve the lives of their fellow citizens.
By providing small grants to support projects in health, education, agriculture, and other sectors, this program empowers communities to take charge of their development and create a brighter future.
From clean water initiatives to educational programs, the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Small Grants Program is a force for good in the Nigerian landscape.
Self-Help Small Grants Program Objectives
The US Embassy in Abuja has announced an open competition for organizations to submit proposals to carry out projects through the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (ASSH) Small Grants program.
ASSH is a grassroots grant assistance program that gives small funds for small-scale community development projects that improve living circumstances.
The program is designed to be adaptable, allowing the Ambassador to respond directly to requests from local communities for assistance with projects that have an immediate impact and further Mission aims.
ASSH is designed to assist communities to become self-sufficient and conduct comparable activities on their own in the future. The United States will provide a fixed amount one time only.
Requirements of the Self-Help Small Grants Program
For initiatives to be considered, they must meet the following criteria:
- Be feasible and consider the community’s socioeconomic context.
- Help enhance basic economic or social conditions in a small town, which has long-term value.
- Have a strong impact, serve a large number of community people, and have a high beneficiary-to-budget ratio.
- Be originated by the community, and show substantial community involvement and participation.
- Aim to accomplish within 6 – 12 months and become self-sustaining once completed. The project plan includes pre-established long-term goals as well as a cohesive framework for the project’s future operations.
- The project must be submitted by a well-organized and motivated group, with a skilled project manager who is a long-term resident of the community in charge.
- Do not request a US contribution of more than $7,000.
- Have a project budget that is clear, full, and clearly defined, and includes those elements that are permanent or require professional assistance to finish the project.
- Identify a genuine need, and demonstrate that the benefiting community can sustain and operate the project, as evidenced by previous successful projects.
- Show that the application organization is financially responsible, as evidenced by a bank account in its name.
- Demonstrate effective collaboration and communication between the applicant, local leaders, and local government representatives.
- Include a community contribution of at least 10% of the project’s total cost. This might be financially or in kind, such as volunteer time and labor, food, lodging expenses, donated land, transportation costs, equipment, and materials.
Eligibility Criteria for the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Grant
- The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program will only consider submissions from Nigerian non-governmental, not-for-profit groups that interact directly with communities at the federal or state levels.
- Established, local, grassroots groups rooted in the communities where the projects are being implemented will be given top priority.
- Groups that have already received funding from the Ambassador’s Special-Self Help program are not eligible.
- For-profit, commercial, and private businesses are ineligible.
- Individuals aren’t eligible.
Ineligible
The following are not eligible for financing:
- Private businesses.
- Duplication of other US government projects.
- Personal expenses of an individual.
- Politically motivated projects, such as fund-raising drives.
- Purchase and installation of surveillance equipment.
- Developing, maintaining, or enhancing technical assistance programs.
How to Apply for the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Grant
Your organization must produce an application package that meets the requirements outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, which may be viewed here. Please email your application package to abujapolecongrants@state.gov.
For further information, go to Grants.gov.
Application Deadline: May 31st, 2024
Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Small Grant Focus Areas
1. Youth and Child Development
Projects that provide possibilities for adolescents, such as employment, or that improve access to and quality of early childhood education.
2. Environmental and community-based natural resource management
Projects that promote effective community ownership and management of natural resources, encourage natural resource conservation, enhance resilience, and increase the capacity to adapt to environmental changes.
3. Economic diversification and opportunities
Projects that generate long-term revenue and create job opportunities in local communities benefit more than just the individuals involved. Projects should promote economic diversification at the grassroots level and foster an entrepreneurial culture, particularly women-led entrepreneurship, and local innovation. Projects should encourage using locally sourced natural resources to generate income through diverse farming practices.
4. Societal Inclusion and Services
Projects that attempt to enhance the lives of vulnerable groups, such as those with disabilities, ethnic minorities, the elderly, and female heads of households. This includes access to essential utilities like water and sanitation.
Conclusion
The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Small Grants Program is a testament to the power of grassroots action and community-led development.
By investing in local communities and supporting their efforts to improve health, education, and livelihoods, this program helps to empower the people of Nigeria to shape their destiny and create lasting change.
While the challenges facing the country may seem daunting, this program is a shining example of the potential for collaboration and innovation to overcome adversity and build a brighter future for all.
