U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund

Description

1) Objective

The U.S. Embassy Lilongwe at the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announces this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund. The SSH fund was established in Malawi in 1966 to help improve the basic economic and social conditions of Malawians at the local community and village level. The goal of U.S. assistance is to help create a peaceful, prosperous, and secure future for the people of Malawi. Economic growth is essential to that goal and Malawi can reach its potential through entrepreneurship and the creation of opportunities for investment and trade. This program seeks to fund small but important projects that will expand education opportunity for education and marketable job skills. It will also support the creation or expansion of community business endeavors.

Example Projects are:
1. Income Creation: Purchase of income generating and value addition equipment such as looms, tools, oil processing machines, milling machines, or similar for existing co-operatives and non-profit organizations; Expansion, improvement, diversification, and commercialization of agricultural and aquacultural production for existing co-operatives and non-profit organizations; Create ongoing vocation training opportunities
2. Health: Increase access to clean water such as construction of shallow wells or boreholes or expansion of water supply infrastructure such as pumps and distribution systems; Increase access to health services such as construction of under-five clinics.
3. Education: Increase access to basic education such as classroom blocks or library construction; Increase access to basic education for girls such as construction of a hostel or water and sanitation facilities.

2) Eligibility

All citizens of Malawi representing a civilian, religious, social, community development, special interest, disability, or advocacy group or organization may request funding for a community activity. To qualify, an applicant must be an organized, motivated group with a real need, and the proposed project must be feasible and based on the socio-economic context of the local community. In addition, an applicant must demonstrate that it has adequate internal controls and financial monitoring procedures in place, and strong ties to and support from the local community and local governmental bodies.

3) Location

Actions must take place in Malawi.

4) Budget

Grants for up to $10,000 U.S. Dollars (USD) are available.

5) Application

All applications must be submitted before 10 April 2023. All application details and templates can be downloaded from the given website. A full proposal / a concept note must be submitted via the online application portal.