Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Program

Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Program

For Community-Based Development

An Innovative Initiative
 
Launched in 1964, the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program has become one of the most successful grass-roots development assistance tools in Africa.  This innovative program gives U.S. Ambassadors and Mission staff the ability and resources to support small sustainable community-based initiatives that have an immediate and dramatic impact on local communities. 

Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program

The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program in Uganda supports small-scale activities that promote self-reliance and fosters development through innovative community-led projects.

Special Self-Help Grants Must:

1. Foster community self-reliance;

2. Have community participation and contributions -- volunteer time and labor, donated land, equipment and/or materials;

3. Have a significant impact, benefiting the greatest number of people possible;

4. Help improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level;

5. Be viable and sustainable in terms of finance, personnel support, and necessary expertise and services;

6. Fall within the ability of the local community to implement; and

7. Be completed in one year or less.

Successful grantees in Uganda have:

• Built or improved schools and/or classrooms;
 
• Drilled bore holes for clean drinking water;

• Established protected springs for clean drinking water;

• Expanded health clinics;

• Started sustainable community income-generation projects;

• Built vocational training centers; and

• Undertaken activities that improved living conditions in the community. 

Limitations on the use of Ambassador's Self-Help Funds:

The Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program provides money for material and supplies only.  Awards cannot be used for the following:

• Salaries, vehicles, computers, labor or seminars, travel, allowances, stationery, uniforms, religious instruction, or general operating expenses;

• Remodeling or renovating existing facilities that are in disrepair as a result of neglect or lack of money;

• Activities with unmitigated and negative environmental consequences;

• Religious or military activities; or

• Purchases of used equipment.

The Application & Selection Process
The Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund application must be completed fully following the guidelines noted above.  Applicants should explain how the project will meet the eight program criteria and outline what the applicants propose to accomplish.  Priority will be given to proposals that describe clearly how the project will improve the quality of life in the target community.  Organizations must be registered with the Government of Uganda.  There is no submission deadline for the Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund; applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.  Applications received after March 31 will be considered for the following calendar year funding. 

The Small Grants Coordinators will conduct a preliminary review of the applications received and select a shortlist of proposals that:

• Comply with the application submission guidelines;
• Meet the seven primary program criteria defined above;
• Are specific, detailed, and clear with realistic budgets;
• Have sound technical merits;
• Demonstrate an ability to measure the impact of the project by gender; and
• Demonstrate minimum environmental impact.

Preliminary reviews may include a site visit.  A shortlist is then presented to an internal review committee for final selection.  Grant awards are made in September.  The maximum grant award for any one project is $25,000 and represents a one-time U.S. Government contribution.  However, due to limited available funding, most grants awarded are between $1,000 and $10,000.  Grants are awarded for a one year period.
 
Expenditure Reporting
While the Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program is designed to minimize paperwork, there are explicit procurement, reporting, and record-keeping requirements for the grantee.

Grants are paid in increments directly to the suppliers. Grant amounts are in US dollars to vendors within Uganda. The organizations given Self-Help grants are responsible for locating reliable suppliers and obtaining pro-forma invoices. The Self-Help fund prefers that projects purchase their materials from vendors located in their home areas.

Contact Information
Communities or organizations with projects that falls within the Ambassador's Special Self-Help guidelines are encouraged to complete the application and send it to:

Small Grants Coordinator
American Embassy
P.O. Box 7007
Kampala

In case of any questions, please contact the Small Grants Office, U.S. Mission Uganda, telephone: 0414-259-791 ext. 6421/6444/6141, email: kampalaselfhelp@state.gov