U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program

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In Mozambique, the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) program started in 1988 and allows the Embassy to respond quickly to local requests for small community-based development projects. The SSH program received $2 million in 2021 to fund projects throughout Africa supported by Africa Regional Economic Support Funds. Program Objectives: ·      Foster community self-reliance; ·      Have community participation and contribution – volunteer time and labor, donated land, equipment and materials - and the U.S. contribution must be on a one-time basis only; ·      Improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level; ·      Be viable and sustainable in terms of finance, personnel support, necessary expertise and services; ·      Respect environmental norms for small projects; the proposed activity will not adversely affect protected or other sensitive environmental areas nor jeopardize threatened and endangered species and their habitat; and ·      Not exceed twelve months in duration. Performance Indicators: The project should monitor and report on performance indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable, and time bound. Establish, where possible, performance baseline data and expected performance targets for each expected result, and include details on what sources of data will be used to document performance, how the indicators will be measured, frequency of measurement, and units of measure. Where possible, indicators should also allow for gender disaggregation. Indicators should reflect key project outputs or outcomes that reflect on the primary goals or objectives of the project and that the implementer can collect with high quality data. All applicable indicators should be included in the proposal and subsequent to the award, routine, periodic reporting of all indicators will be required. The implementer will be responsible for quarterly reporting on each performance indicator included in the grant agreement as well as analysis of progress or impediments to reach indicator targets. Technically eligible submissions are those which: 1) Arrive electronically to Maputopoleconssh@state.gov by the designated deadline; 2) Have heeded all instructions contained in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), including registrations and length and completeness of submission; and 3) Do not violate any of the guidelines stated in the solicitation and this document.

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