The U.S. Embassy Mbabane of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to invite eligible applicants to submit applications for funding through the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Programme.

Program Objectives

The Ambassador’s Special-Self Help (SSH) Programme is a grass-roots grant assistance programme that allows the U.S Ambassadors to support local requests for small community-based development projects. The purpose of the Special Self-Help Programme is to support communities through modest grants that will positively impact local communities. The SSH philosophy is to help communities to help themselves.

Funding Information

• Length of performance period: Up to 12 months
• Number of awards anticipated: 5 awards (dependent on amounts)
• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $3,000 to a maximum of $9,000
• Funding Instrument Type: Grant Awards
• Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less.

Acceptable Projects

• Water Supply and Sanitation
  • Safe Water Access - Increase access to water (e.g., well drilling and spring capping); and expansion of water supply infrastructure, such as pumps and distribution systems.
  • Basic Sanitation - Increase access to and use of sanitation services for safe human waste disposal to protect human health and environmental quality.
• Social Services
  • Assist vulnerable and at-risk populations: These groups include: the disabled; orphans, children and youth; victims of gender-based violence; ethnic minorities or other socially excluded groups; the elderly; and female heads of household.
  • Projects for vulnerable groups could include, but are not limited to:
    • classrooms construction
    • school and health centers equipment,
    • income-generating activities
    • local infrastructures
• Local Community Involvement: Local involvement of the organization or group must be at least 10% in cash or in kind of the total project costs. The local contributions can be in cash or in kind. In-kind contributions could be labor (wages of masons and workers), food, accommodation for qualified labor, carts of sand or gravel, bricks for construction, sand, fence, water supply, transportation costs, donations of materials etc.

Eligibility Criteria

• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
• Nonprofit or governmental educational institutions
• Governmental institutions
• To be eligible for funding, your project must meet the following criteria:
  • The project should help improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level and have long-lived value.
  • The project should be high impact, benefiting the greatest number of people possible.
  • Substantial community participation in the activity is required. Contributions may include labor, materials (bricks, sand, gravel, seeds, etc.), land, buildings, or money to ensure the success of the project.
  • 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.
  • Managers of a project should have evidence that they are financially responsible and will be able to account for funds sent to them. Having a bank account, or establishing credit with vendors, is examples of such evidence.
  • Average SSH grants are $3,000 to $9,000 per project.

Applicant Criteria

All citizens of Eswatini representing a civilian, religious, social, community development, special interest, disability, or advocacy group or organization may request funding for a community activity. Groups must be registered with the proper authorities. The project must be submitted by an organized group who are motivated, have a real need, and have already successfully implemented projects in the community. The project should be feasible and based on the socioeconomic context of the local community.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.