Opportunity Information: Apply for 004 2022
The Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program (SSH Fund) is a small grants opportunity run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Harare to support community-led development projects across Zimbabwe. It is designed for registered, non-governmental, non-profit, community-based organizations that can deliver practical, village-level improvements through short, focused projects with strong community participation. The program operates as a competitive grant process, and while applications are reviewed in a transparent manner, only a limited number of projects can be funded each cycle because the program typically receives hundreds of submissions.
This specific opportunity covers all 10 provinces in Zimbabwe and focuses on small-scale projects that can be completed within a 12-month period. Awards are generally meant to be modest but meaningful, with a funding range of approximately USD 8,000 to USD 15,000 per project and an award ceiling of USD 15,000. The opportunity anticipates making about five awards. Projects are expected to be time-bound with all activities and spending finished within the 12-month implementation window, and the projected start period noted for this cycle is between September 1 and September 30, 2023, depending on when funds become available.
The main objective of the SSH Fund is to back community-initiated, income-generating projects that improve basic economic or social conditions at the village level. Priority consideration goes to proposals that can demonstrate clear local ownership, direct community involvement, and realistic, near-term benefits. The types of activities supported tend to be practical interventions that help communities strengthen livelihoods, improve local services, or better manage resources in ways that translate into economic and social gains.
Within Zimbabwe, the SSH Program has multiple funding sources with different mandates, and applicants are expected to clearly state which fund they are applying to. For this listing, the relevant stream is the Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund, which emphasizes income generation and community-driven solutions. Projects under this fund can include efforts tied to access to healthy food, natural resource management, wildlife conservation, water and sanitation improvements, and other locally determined development needs. Examples of projects previously supported under this model include grinding mills, carpentry and weaving initiatives, borehole development, drip irrigation, water storage systems, fish farming, chicken rearing, and market gardens, all of which reflect the program's preference for tangible investments that communities can operate and benefit from directly.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is a discretionary grant (Funding Opportunity Number 004 2022) offered by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe, under CFDA 19.220. The original posting date is November 30, 2022, and the original application closing date is January 16, 2023. Overall, the grant is positioned as a grassroots tool that allows U.S. embassies to respond to local priorities quickly and visibly, with the broader SSH program tracing back to 1964 and operating in Zimbabwe since 1980.Apply for 004 2022
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program - SSH Fund" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.220.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 30, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 16, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $15,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program (SSH Fund) - Zimbabwe
What is the Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program (SSH Fund)?
The Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program (SSH Fund) is a small grants program run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Harare. It supports community-led development projects across Zimbabwe that deliver practical, village-level improvements through short, focused activities with strong community participation.
Who runs this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe, and administered through the U.S. Embassy in Harare.
Where can projects be located?
This opportunity covers all 10 provinces in Zimbabwe.
Who is eligible to apply?
The program is designed for registered, non-governmental, non-profit, community-based organizations that can implement practical projects with strong local participation and ownership.
What kind of projects does the SSH Fund support?
The SSH Fund focuses on community-initiated, income-generating projects that improve basic economic or social conditions at the village level. Supported activities tend to be practical, tangible interventions that communities can operate and benefit from directly.
What types of project themes are considered a fit under this SSH Fund stream?
Projects under the Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund may include locally determined development needs tied to access to healthy food, natural resource management, wildlife conservation, and water and sanitation improvements, among other community-driven priorities.
Can you share examples of projects previously supported under this model?
Examples mentioned include grinding mills, carpentry and weaving initiatives, borehole development, drip irrigation, water storage systems, fish farming, chicken rearing, and market gardens.
How much funding is available per project?
Awards are generally in the range of approximately USD 8,000 to USD 15,000 per project, with an award ceiling of USD 15,000.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The opportunity anticipates making about five awards.
How long can a project run?
Projects are expected to be completed within a 12-month period. All activities and spending should be finished within that 12-month implementation window.
When is the expected start period for projects funded in this cycle?
The projected start period noted for this cycle is between September 1 and September 30, 2023, depending on when funds become available.
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. The SSH Fund operates as a competitive grant process. Applications are reviewed in a transparent manner, but only a limited number of projects can be funded each cycle.
Why might a strong proposal still not get funded?
The program typically receives hundreds of submissions, and only a limited number of projects can be supported each cycle, so not all proposals can be funded.
What does the program prioritize when reviewing proposals?
Priority consideration goes to proposals that demonstrate clear local ownership, direct community involvement, and realistic, near-term benefits, especially where the project is time-bound and results in practical village-level improvements.
Does the program require community participation?
Yes. The program is specifically designed to support projects with strong community participation, local ownership, and direct community involvement in implementation and benefit.
Do applicants need to specify which funding stream they are applying to?
Yes. Within Zimbabwe, the SSH Program has multiple funding sources with different mandates, and applicants are expected to clearly state which fund they are applying to. For this listing, the relevant stream is the Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund.
What is the emphasis of the Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund stream?
This stream emphasizes income generation and community-driven solutions, focusing on tangible investments that improve local economic and social conditions at the village level.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) listed is 004 2022.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.220.
When was this opportunity posted?
The original posting date is November 30, 2022.
What is the application deadline for this opportunity?
The original application closing date is January 16, 2023.
How long has the broader SSH program existed?
The broader SSH program traces back to 1964 and has operated in Zimbabwe since 1980.
What is the overall purpose of the SSH Fund as described in this listing?
It is positioned as a grassroots tool that allows U.S. embassies to respond to local priorities quickly and visibly by funding short, practical community projects with meaningful near-term benefits.
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