2023 US AMBASSADOR’S SPECIAL SELF-HELP PROGRAM NIGERIA – NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: STATEMENT OF INTEREST ( Grant Amount: $75,000)

Deadline: April 30, 2023 | 2023 US AMBASSADOR’S SPECIAL SELF-HELP PROGRAM NIGERIA

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy Abuja announces an open competition for organizations to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out projects through the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (ASSH) Small Grants Program.

Please carefully follow all instructions below.

• • The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process.  Applicants must first submit a concise (two-page) statement of interest designed to clearly communicate program idea and objectives.  This is not a full proposal.

• • The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application.
  • Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program idea by submitting a full proposal application.  Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decisions are made.

Program Objectives for 2023 US AMBASSADOR’S SPECIAL SELF-HELP PROGRAM

ASSH is a grassroots grant assistance program that provides modest grants for small scale community development activities that improve living conditions.  The program is intended to be flexible and allow the Ambassador to respond directly to requests from local communities for assistance with projects that have immediate impact, and further Mission priorities.  ASSH is structured to encourage communities to be self-reliant and undertake similar activities on their own in the future.  The U.S. contribution will be a set amount on a one-time basis only.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

Economic diversification and creation of opportunities

Projects that generate sustainable revenue and create employment opportunities in local communities benefiting these beyond individual group members.  Projects should advance economic diversification at the grassroots level and promote a culture of entrepreneurship, including women-led entrepreneurship and innovation that can be replicated locally.  Projects should encourage the use of locally sourced natural resources for income generation through diversified agricultural practices.

Social inclusion and services

Projects that aim to improve the lives of vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, the elderly and female heads of household.  This includes access to basic services such as water and sanitation.

Youth and child development

Projects that create opportunities for youth, including employment, or enable access to and enhance early childhood and primary education.

Environment and community-based natural resource management

Projects that expand effective community ownership and management of natural resources, promote the conservation of natural resources, build resilience and increase the capacity to adapt to environmental changes.

Projects must fulfill the requirements listed below in order to be eligible for consideration:

• • Long-term value; helps to better the fundamental economic or social conditions in a small community.
  • have a big impact, help a lot of people in the community, and have a big beneficiary to budget ratio.
  • be started by the community and show active involvement and participation from the community.

• • be practical and based on the socioeconomic environment of the neighborhood.
  • Include a community contribution that represents 10% or more of the project’s overall cost. This can take the form of money or in-kind contributions like free labor, meals, lodging expenses, given land, funding for transportation, tools, and materials.
  • Aim to be finished in 6 to 12 months and to be self-sufficient once it is. The project plan includes long-term goals that have already been decided upon as well as a clear strategy for continuing the project in the future.

• • Real needs must be identified, and it must be shown that the community that will benefit from the project can sustain and run it by putting previous successful programs into practice.
  • A bank account in the name of the applicant organization should be used to demonstrate its financial responsibility.
  • Showcase effective cooperation and communication between the applicant, local authorities, and leaders of the community.

• • be filed by a motivated, well-organized team, and the project must be overseen by an experienced project manager who has lived in the community for a significant amount of time.
  • not ask for contributions from the US in excess of $10,000.
  • Have a project budget that is precise, thorough, and well-defined, and that only contains the technical help or permanent objects required to execute the project.

 ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION (2023 US AMBASSADOR’S SPECIAL SELF-HELP PROGRAM)

1. 1. Eligible ApplicantsThe following organizations are eligible to apply:
      1. Non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations legally registered in Nigeria
      2. Established, local, grassroots groups legally registered in Nigeria

1. Cost Sharing or MatchingA community contribution of at least 10% or more of the total cost of the project is required.  Applicants must demonstrate a substantial commitment by contributing to the project in cash or in kind as described in the project requirements section.
2. Other Eligibility RequirementsIn order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov  as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov.  Please see Section E.4 for more information.

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization.  If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. 1. Content and Form of Application SubmissionPlease follow all instructions below carefully. SOIs that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Please ensure:

1. 1. All documents are in English
   2. All pages are numbered
   3. SOI does not exceed 2 pages

1. 1. Submission Dates and TimesSOIs are due no later than April 30, 2023.
   2. Funding RestrictionsAny costs incurred in preparation of your proposal or in advance of an award will not be reimbursed.
   3. Other Submission Requirements

1. The SOIs are to be submitted via email to:
2. [email protected]
3. Subject line of the email should state: 2023 ASSH SOI – Name of applicant organization (as appropriate)
4. SOIs should be attached as one PDF document, submissions in other formats will deem the application ineligible.
5. We are unable to access google docs or other links, documents sent through a link will deem the application ineligible.
6. Documents that are not readable due to low scan resolution will deem the application ineligible.