Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) Rwanda

The U.S Embassy Kigali of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out a program (or programs) to support their local communities. Please carefully follow all instructions.

The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise two-page statement of interest designed to clearly communicate program idea and objectives. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application. Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program idea(s) by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decision(s) are made. The embassy will not consider SOIs exceeding the two-page limit. The deadline for SOI submission is May 8, 2023, at midnight Central Africa Time.

This year U.S. Embassy Kigali is seeking applications for projects which will improve basic economic and social conditions at the grassroots level. Proposed projects to be implemented in Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Nyamasheke, and Gisagara districts are particularly encouraged. Projects must support high-impact activities that benefit many people and involve local contribution in cash, labor, and/or material. A successful project must have local support and be within the ability of the local community to operate and maintain. 

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Content and Form of Application Submission

Please follow all instructions in the attached Notice of Funding Opportunity and below carefully. SOIs that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Statement of Interest (no longer than two pages in length) and should include the following:

·        Name, address, and point of contact of local cooperative or organization responsible for implementation and management of the project funds.

·        Brief description of the local organization demonstrating ability to carry out the project and manage U.S. government funds.

·        Problem Statement: A clear, concise, and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed.

·        Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.

·        Project Activities: A description of the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.

·        Number and description of beneficiaries.

·        Target project location. Projects to be implemented in Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Nyamasheke, and Gisagara districts are particularly encouraged.

·        Project Budget (major expenditures only).

Documents must be fully in English.

The anticipated total budget amount must be in U.S. dollars.

Submission Dates and Times:

SOIs are due no later than May 8, 2023.

Funding Restrictions:

Award funds cannot be used for project administration or operating costs of self-help activities. 

Miscellaneous

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