U.S. Embassy Gaborone Ambaassador's Special Self-Help Fund Program | DOS GABORONE GR ASSHF FY21

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS GABORONE GR ASSHF FY21

The U.S. Embassy Gaborone Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) Small Grants Program is a competitive, discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Botswana) that supports community-initiated, small-scale development projects in Botswana. The program is designed as a grass-roots assistance mechanism that can fund practical activities that are not already covered by other established U.S. assistance programs, while also increasing public awareness of U.S. foreign assistance. A central goal is to back projects with immediate local impact that align with Mission priorities and, just as importantly, help communities build self-reliance so they can sustain similar efforts after the grant ends.

Projects must be ready to implement, well planned, and able to continue operating once the funding period is over. Applicants are expected to show strong community connections and formal local backing. Before submitting a proposal to the Embassy, the organization must obtain approval from relevant local authorities such as a local development committee, tribal authority, and/or local town or district council. The Embassy also emphasizes shared ownership: recipient organizations must make a meaningful contribution to the project, either through cash or in-kind support such as volunteer labor, local materials (for example bricks, sand, gravel, seeds), land, buildings, or other supplies that directly support implementation.

The program targets community development outcomes across several broad objective areas. These include community-based natural resource management (for example expanding community ownership and stewardship of resources, protecting or expanding wildlife corridors, strengthening conservation practices, or developing sustainable community-based tourism). Another priority area is economic diversification, including small business creation and income generation, with an emphasis on sustainable employment, local entrepreneurship, and grassroots improvements in living conditions. The fund also supports social services that assist disadvantaged or at-risk groups, including people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, the elderly, and female heads of household. In addition, youth and child development projects are eligible, especially those that help young people build skills and tools for positive life choices and that create opportunities such as pathways to employment.

Eligibility is limited to registered non-profit organizations. The Embassy welcomes applications from community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that work directly with communities. Organizations that already have ongoing projects may still apply if they can clearly explain why additional resources are needed for new directions or expanded impact. Applicants should also be prepared for oversight requirements: they must have adequate internal controls and financial monitoring procedures, submit ongoing project reports, and accommodate periodic site visits by U.S. Embassy staff.

A substantial list of activities is explicitly not eligible for funding. In general, the program will not fund partisan political activity; surveillance equipment; projects that duplicate other U.S. Government efforts; projects that personally or politically benefit U.S. Government employees or their family members; and activities that violate worker rights or other restrictions under U.S. foreign assistance law. The fund also does not support charitable donation-style activities, fundraising campaigns, lobbying, scientific research, or projects primarily intended to build the applicant organization's capacity rather than deliver community-level outcomes. Additional exclusions include staff salaries or stipends, alcohol, medicines, school uniforms or fees, bursaries, personal expenses, food parcels, luxury items, gambling equipment, toxic or unsafe products (including hazardous chemicals), and support to private businesses or private creches. Public or government schools are generally not supported unless the project is pursued through a Parent-Teacher Association. The program also avoids used equipment purchases in most cases to reduce ongoing maintenance burdens, preferring new equipment unless it is simple and spare parts are readily available locally. Projects involving law enforcement-related activities (police, prisons, or similar) and projects supporting specific religious or military activities are also excluded, as are abortion-related facilities and services. Further, no funds may support any person or entity associated with illegal drug trafficking or terrorism-related restrictions under U.S. law and executive orders.

There is also a specific prohibition related to certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment and services. Grant recipients cannot use grant funds to procure, obtain, or contract for covered equipment or services associated with particular companies, including Huawei and ZTE telecommunications equipment, and certain surveillance/telecommunications products from Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua, along with services using such equipment or other covered entities linked to certain foreign governments as determined under U.S. national security rules.

Funding is provided under FY 20/21 Economic Support Funds authorized by the Foreign Assistance Act. The performance period is one year. The Embassy anticipated making about five to ten awards (with an expected total around eight awards, depending on individual grant sizes). Individual award amounts range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $25,000. The anticipated start date for projects under this cycle was October 1, 2021.

Applications for FY 2021 were accepted on a rolling basis up to the closing date of July 5, 2021, and late submissions were not considered. Proposals could be submitted by email to SSHBotswana@state.gov, mailed to the U.S. Embassy (ATTN: Small Grants Coordinator, Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund Program, P.O. Box 90, Gaborone), or hand delivered to the U.S. Embassy in the Government Enclave in Gaborone (also addressed to the Small Grants Coordinator). For questions, applicants could contact the Small Grants Office at SSHBotswana@state.gov or call (267) 373-2265.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Botswana in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Gaborone Ambaassador's Special Self-Help Fund Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.700.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 22, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 05, 2021. (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 $25,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for DOS GABORONE GR ASSHF FY21

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