NOFO: Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program (Uganda)

The US Embassy in Uganda is inviting registered organizations interested in submitting applications for the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program, which supports small-scale, community-based initiatives that promote self-reliance, foster development, widen civic space and engagement, protect and promote human rights, and promise an immediate and dramatic effect on local communities.

Projects tailored to gathering spaces and targeted for vulnerable populations, promotion of gender and equity, civic participation, and the prevention of the negative effects of climate change are of particular interest this year.  Entering its sixtieth year of continuous operation, the SSH program is a direct reflection of the U.S. government’s commitment to helping Ugandans help themselves. 

The project must be submitted by an organized group, motivated, who has a real need, and has already worked with communities. 

Funding Information

• The U.S. Embassy Kampala expects to have approximately $70,000 available to support organizations, subject to the availability of funding.  Grants are typically between $2,000 and $10,000 per project. 

• Project proposals should include a period of performance starting after September 2024 and concluding by September 2025. 

Ineligible Funding

• The Special Self-Help Program does not fund:

  • Requests to buy equipment like vehicles, motorcycles, office equipment, computers, phones, tablets, copiers, and stereos.

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

  • Labor, salaries, operating costs, printing material, fuel, or land.

  • Payment for pesticides and herbicides

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

  • Religious projects unless they genuinely assist the whole community without regard to religious affiliation. Personal businesses.

  • Scholarships, donations, start-up money, loans or honorariums.

  • HIV/AIDS projects.

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

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

  • Projects that have received prior SSH funds.

  • To remodel or renovate an existing facility that is in disrepair because of neglect or lack of money.

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

  • Projects that are partially funded by another donor or from the Government of Uganda. Funds cannot be commingled with funds from other donors, international organizations or other U.S. government programs.

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

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

  • Activities that could potentially create tension within the community, harm community members, or damage the environment.

  • Sports equipment or uniforms for a national sport team.

  • Musical instruments or uniforms for a national orchestra or dance company.

  • Surveillance equipment.

  • Abortion-related facilities and services.

  • Payments to government officials.

  • Ceremonies, parties, celebrations, or ‘representational’ expenses.

Project Eligibility Criteria

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

  • Be community-based.

  • Be initiated locally.

  • Be administered at the local level; and

  • Include substantial community participation and contributions in cash, labor, food, accommodation for qualified labor, transportation costs, or materials such as carts of sand or gravel, bricks for construction, fence materials, or water.

  • Organizations that apply for SSH funds must be established and registered as Community Based Organizations (CBO) or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) at the local government level in the communities in which they work. Please provide registration certificate.

  • Help improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level and have long-lived value. Particular attention will be given to projects that focus of enhancing civic engagement, fiscal independence, and reduce the effects of climate change.

  • The projects should be high impact, benefiting the greatest number of people possible.

  • Funding is limited to one project, which must be completed within twelve (12) months or less.

  • 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.

  • All applicants must display sound management in the form of financial and administrative procedures that protect against waste, fraud, and abuse.