Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program

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.

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 socio-economic context of the local community.

To be eligible, for funding, the proposed project must meet the following criteria:

·        Improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level and have long lived values.

·        Support high-impact, quick-implementation activities that benefit a large number of people, without requiring further SSH assistance.

·        Involve a significant local contribution in cash, labor, and/or materials, and be within the ability of the local community to operate and maintain on a sustainable basis. Contribution may include labor, material (bricks, sand, gravel, seeds etc.), land, buildings, or money to ensure success of the project

·        Not initiate, continue, or supplement technical assistance programs.

·        Contribute, whenever possible, to income-generating or self-sustaining activities.

• 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, are examples of such evidence.
• Funding is limited to one project, which must be completed within twelve (12) months or less.
• Average SSH grants are $3,000 to $9,000 per project.

Limitations/Exclusion from Eligibility

The Self-Help Program may only pay for items and technical assistance that are absolutely necessary for the completion of the project. The Self-Help Program cannot be used for administrative costs, salaries, costs associated with the project manager, travel to and from the Embassy, or items that are not permanent in nature. Costs incurred prior to the actual award of a grant will be reimbursed only by pre-approval of the grants officer at the sole discretion of the Embassy.

Additionally, the Special Self-Help Program does not fund:

1. Requests to buy equipment like vehicles, office equipment, copiers, and stereos.

2. Proposals that have a purely police, prison, military, or cultural emphasis.

3. Religious projects unless they genuinely assist the whole community without regard to religious affiliation.

4. Personal businesses.

5. Scholarships, donations, or honorariums.

6. HIV/AIDS projects.

7. Projects that the community cannot continue after the SSH funding cycle has ended.

8. Projects which will benefit any employee of the USG. 

9. Payment for pesticides, herbicides, labor, salaries, operating costs, printing material, fuel, or land.

10. To remodel or renovate an existing facility that is in disrepair as a result of neglect or lack of money.

11. Office supplies such as pencils, paper, forms and folders.

12. Projects that are partially funded by another donor or from the government of your country. Funds cannot be commingled with funds from other donors, international organization, or other U.S. government programs.

13. Projects that focus on refugees or displaced persons. There are specific U.S. bilateral or multilateral assistance programs designed to address their needs.

14. SSH funds may not be used to buy previously owned equipment, luxury goods, or gambling equipment.

15. Salaries or supervision costs for the supervising organization. Contingency estimates also do not qualify.

16. Activities that are the responsibility of the government, for example, building hospitals.

17. Activities with unmitigated and negative environmental consequences (such as dams or roads through forest lands).

Please note: We encourage you to contact us with questions as you develop your proposal, as applications that include ineligible items may be disqualified.

Participants and Audiences:

The U.S Embassy, Mbabane is seeking proposals from local community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and other civil society groups, faith-based organizations, advocacy groups, community development groups, and other community-based entities.

No applications are accepted from individuals or private businesses.

Elements of Successful Projects

•        The project is initiated by the community.

•        The project benefits the greatest number of people within the community.

•        The project plan contains pre-established long-term goals and a coherent plan to keep the project running in the future.

•        A capable project manager who is a long-term resident in the community is responsible for the project.

•        The project is assisted by a non-biased umbrella organization, such as a religious mission or a local NGO that provides guidance and arbitration on issues when necessary.

•        There is strong coordination and communication amongst the grant-recipient group, local leaders, and local government representatives.

•        The project makes use of materials and supplies that can be maintained by the community, and the use of materials that will not harm the environment.

Acceptable Projects:

1. Water Supply and Sanitation:

a. 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.

b. Basic Sanitation - Increase access to and use of sanitation services for safe human waste disposal to protect human health and environmental quality.

2. Social Services:

a. 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.

b. Projects for vulnerable groups could include, but are not limited to:

(i) classrooms construction

(ii) school and health centers equipment,

(iii) income-generating activities

(iv) local infrastructures

Local Community Involvement

Local involvement of the organization or group must be at least 10% in cash or in kind contributions of the total project costs. 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.

Additionally, community leaders must also sign the statement of interest. Community leaders include local municipal leaders, religious leaders, tribal or clan leaders, or any governing body that has oversight over where the project will be implemented. At least one community leader must sign the statement of interest, however, multiple signatures are strongly encouraged. Community leaders may also submit letters of support for the project, so long as they specifically mention the project by title.