The U.S. Embassy Harare of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a small, community-based development program.

Started in 1964 in Togo, the SSH Program spread across Africa as a grassroots program that allows U.S. embassies to respond quickly to local requests for small, community-based development projects that have an immediate impact. In 1980, the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program started in Zimbabwe. 

Objectives

• The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program awards grants to registered non-governmental, non-profit, community-based organizations to implement short-term (12-month), small-scale (between $5,000 and $10,000) development projects that include significant community involvement.
• Priority consideration is given to income generating projects that improve basic economic or social conditions at the village level.
• SSH supports projects in Zimbabwe with an average of $5,000 to $10,000 per project. Project activities and spending should be completed within 12 months with an anticipated start date between September 1 and September 30, 2021, depending on when funding is made available.
• The SSH Program receives hundreds of applications for funding each year. All submissions are reviewed in a competitive and transparent manner. However, given the limited funding available through the SSH Program, we can only fund a small number of projects each year.

Funding Information

• Length of performance period: 12 months
• Number of awards anticipated: 6 awards (dependent on amounts)
• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $10,000
• Total available funding: $60,000 (dependent on final figures from PEPFAR)

The SSH Program in Zimbabwe has several funding sources, each with a specific mandate. When applying for funding, clearly identify which fund you are applying to.

Specific Program Description

President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Small Grants Fund

The PEPFAR Small Grants Fund focuses on income generating activities that improve care, support, and economic conditions for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and those directly affected by HIV/AIDS such as grandparents caring for grandchildren orphaned due to HIV/AIDS.

• Examples of previous projects: Agricultural training, nutritional gardens, grinding mills, artisan activities, sewing project for PLWHA, distribution system for nutritional supplements, HIV/AIDS prevention information.

Eligible Applicants

• The applicant must be a Zimbabwe registered non-governmental, non-profit, or community-based organization.
  • Registered trusts, associations, schools, churches, etc. meet this eligibility requirement.
  • Individuals, businesses, and government entities do NOT qualify.
• All applications must include and identify a significant community contribution (cash, labor, and/or materials).
• The beneficiary members must be Zimbabwean citizens.
• Applicants must display sound management in the form of financial and administrative procedures that protect against fraud, waste, and abuse.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.