The U.S. Embassy Gaborone of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for registered organizations to submit proposals to implement community-initiated development projects through the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) Small Grants Program.
Purpose of Small Grants
The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund program is a grass-roots assistance program that provides small-scale assistance to communities throughout Botswana as part of an ongoing commitment by the U.S. government to support development activities at the local level.
The ASSHF program is intended to be flexible and allow the Ambassador to respond directly to requests from local communities for assistance with projects that have immediate impact, and further Mission priorities. Equally important, the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund program is structured to encourage communities to be self-reliant and undertake similar activities on their own in the future. Since the program began, more than $2.2 million in awards have been disbursed to community development projects.
Objectives
Acceptable project objectives include, but are not limited to the following:
Economic diversification, including small business creation and income generation
Generate sustainable income and employment opportunities in local communities;
Advance economic diversification at the grassroots level and promote a culture of entrepreneurship;
Encourage use of local natural resources for income generation;
Purchase of income generating equipment;
Improve basic economic or living conditions of a community.
Social services to assist disadvantaged populations
Assist populations which may be disadvantaged or at-risk, including people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, the elderly and female heads of household;
Construct and/or furnish community-initiated health facilities or clinics;
Construct water and sanitation related projects such as latrines, wells, pumps, and bore holes.
Community-based natural resource management
Expand effective community ownership and management of natural resources;
Preserve and/or expand wildlife corridors;
Develop sustainable community-based tourism;
Promote conservation of natural resources.
Youth and child development
Assist youth to gain knowledge and tools to live positively, set life goals and enhance their own health, safety and security;
Purchase of school equipment, furnishings, and books;
Construct school rooms or community centers;
Create opportunities for youth, including employment.
Funding Information
Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $20,000
Length of performance period: One (1) year
Number of awards anticipated: Five (5) to ten (10) awards (dependent on grant amounts)
Anticipated project start date: October 1, 2024
Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in twelve (12) months or less.
Participants and Audiences
All applicants must be registered Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs). U.S. Embassy Gaborone welcomes proposals and applications from Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that work directly with communities. Organizations with currently running projects may apply if they justify the need for more resources in new directions. Individuals, private business enterprises, or government departments or entities are not eligible for funding.
Eligibility Criteria
The U.S. Embassy Gaborone Small Grants Office welcomes applications from all established Botswana-based organizations to include:
Registered not-for-profit organizations (NPOs,) including civil society/non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Established, registered grassroots community-based organizations (CBOs) and Faith Based Organizations (FBOs).
To be eligible for funding, your project must meet the following criteria:
Be community-based;
Be initiated locally;
Be administered at the local level; and
Include substantial community participation and contributions;
Organizations that apply for SSH funds must be established and registered as Community Based Organizations (CBO) or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) at the local government level in the communities in which they work. Please provide registration certificate;
Help improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level and have long-lived value;
The projects should be high impact, benefiting the greatest number of people possible.
Funding is limited to one project, which must be completed within twelve (12) months or less;
Projects must be self-sustaining upon completion. The U.S. Embassy’s support for the project must be a one-time-only/one grant contribution;
Projects must be within the community’s ability to maintain and operate. Requests for large-scale agriculture or construction projects, or for expensive equipment are not considered priority projects;
All applicants must display sound management in the form of financial and administrative procedures that protect against waste, fraud, and abuse.
Ineligible
The following is not eligible for funding:
Projects relating to partisan political activity;
Purchase and set up of surveillance equipment;
Duplication of other U.S. Government programs;
Projects that would benefit, either personally or politically, any employee (e.g. direct hire, contractor, part-time) of the U.S. Government, or the spouse or family member of a U.S. Government employee;
Production of agricultural commodities for export that can be expected to have a significant impact on competing U.S. exports;
Contributing to the violation of internationally recognized rights of workers;
