The U.S. Embassy Windhoek of the U.S. Department of State has announced an open competition for organizations to submit applications to support programs that are community-initiated and involving schools, clinics, co-operatives, associations, training or community improvement projects.

This program supports small sustainable community-based initiatives that have immediate and dramatic impact on local communities.  

Program Objectives

• The U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) program is a grass-roots assistance program that allows U.S. embassies to respond quickly to local requests for small community-based development projects.
• The SSH program provides small, one-time grants to community groups that are working to improve the basic economic and social conditions of their villages or communities.
• The program is designed to support small scale projects that benefit an entire community.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $50,000
• Length of performance period: 12 months

Participants and Audiences

SSH focus will be on projects that assist disadvantaged or marginalized groups. The U.S. Embassy makes every effort to fund qualified projects from across Namibia’s fourteen regions.  Some of past SSH projects have included training women, youth, and school dropouts to be computer literate, and purchasing solar powered water pumps to make fresh potable water available to villagers.  They have done multiple garden projects, where beneficiaries have been able to generate income to support themselves and improve their livelihoods. They have funded projects that assist people with disabilities, projects teaching technical skills such as understanding and installing small-scale solar technology.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • The Embassy welcomes applications from schools, cooperatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs), or Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) that support community-based initiatives.
  • Government institutions, individuals, close corporations, or other for-profit businesses are not eligible.
• All applicants must display sound management in the form of financial and administrative procedures that protect against waste, fraud, abuse.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.