The Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe is seeking applications for its Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP), or “Kusanone” in Japanese, to provide funding for projects implemented by nonprofit and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as local authorities.

In Zimbabwe, the GGP programme started in 1989 and has since provided support to about 130 organisations. The goal is to meet basic human needs and ensure human security at the grassroots level.

Target Areas of Projects

To meet basic human needs and ensure human security at the grassroots level, the GGP programme focuses on projects that will benefit people in utmost need. In particular, given the Zimbabwean context, the following areas are prioritized:

• Basic Education, such as:
  • building new classrooms for primary school Grades 1 - 7 and secondary school Forms 1 – 4
  • providing furniture (desks and chairs for students/teachers)
  • construction of teachers’ accommodation.
  • (Note: Non-compulsory education, such as ECD, secondary school above Form 4, and university, is not part of the priority areas of the GGP scheme.)
• Healthcare, such as:
  • establishing or renovating a clinic
  • constructing maternity waiting homes, etc.
• Food and Nutrition Security, such as:
  • constructing irrigation facilities for common use of the community
  • establishing an agricultural training centre, etc.
• Water and Sanitation (WASH), such as:
  • providing boreholes for the common use of the community
  • providing ablution facilities at schools, etc.
• Child Protection and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence, such as:
  • constructing a counselling/education centre, shelter, orphanage, etc.
• Support for Disadvantaged People, such as:
  • constructing a counselling/education centre, etc.

On the other hand, the following areas CANNOT be funded under the GGP scheme:

• Projects that do not directly benefit people at the grassroots level, such as:
  • Academic research, sponsorships and scholarships
  • Capacity building of the applying organization (staff training, providing office equipment, etc.)
  • Private commercial businesses.
• Projects that are not directly related to socioeconomic development, such as:
  • Cultural, sports, and art activities, multipurpose halls, etc.
• Projects that could include any political, military or religious intention.

Funding Information

The maximum amount of the grant for each project is, in principle, 10,000,000 Japanese yen. The amount in US dollars depends on the exchange rate – in 2019 it was equivalent to US$ 90,909.

Project Period

The project must be completed within one year after the grant contract is signed.

What does the grant cover?

Items that can be covered by the GGP scheme:

• Materials and labour costs for the construction of buildings
• Purchase of equipment which is essential for the project implementation
• Transportation costs for the approved items
• Costs for sign plates which show the support from Japan
• Cost for external audit

Eligible Organizations

An organization must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for GGP funding:

• Be officially recognized as a non-profit organization (NGO, local authority, educational institution, medical institution, cooperative, etc.).
  • Individuals and for-profit organizations are NOT eligible.
• Be working for socio-economic development at the grassroots level
• Have been operating for more than two years in the field of the proposed project
• Have sound finances

For more information, visit Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe.