The Embassy is proud to announce that the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Ambassador’s Special Self Help (SSH) Program 2023 is officially open, and ready to receive proposal submissions, until the deadline of 23:59 CAT July 30, 2023.

U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program at U.S. Embassy Maputo funds small grant projects, with have high reaching impacts that foster self-reliance, improve socioeconomic conditions, respect environmental norms, and welcome the participation and input of the receiving communities. The program began in 1988, and has awarded over $250,000 USD of funding in Mozambique over the last 4 years alone, reaching over 1 million individuals (directly and indirectly), through 30+ funded projects, spread over 9 provinces.

Some examples of past SSH grants include:

• Water Projects – boreholes, irrigation, or water collection systems, storage tanks;
• Health & Hygiene – latrines at schools and clinics, community gardens;
• Environmental Projects – recycling, solar panel systems, organic fertilizer production;
• Education Projects – classrooms, community libraries; and
• Income Generating Projects –peanut butter production, maize milling facility, clothing production, carpentry tools, and brick making machines.

Please carefully read the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) at the link below for detailed information on how to apply for funding.

Notice of Funding Opportunity – US Ambassador’s Special Self Help Fund (SSH)

NOTE: All proposal applications must be submitted in English and in digital form to MaputoPoleconSSH@state.gov, with budgetary information in US Dollars.

PROPOSALS THAT DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NOFO WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AS ELIGIBLE.

General information

Funding amount available: Ranging from $1000 – $10,000 per project – $60,000 total available

Total number of awards: 8 (depending on the amounts)

Eligibility:

• Not-for-profit organizations, including civil society/non-governmental organizations registered in Mozambique
• Established, registered grassroots community-based organizations (CBOs) and Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) registered in Mozambique.
• For-profit, commercial entities and individuals are not eligible to apply.

Mandatory Forms:

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Organizations)
• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs)
• SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) The SF-424B is required only for those applicants who have not registered in SAM.gov.

Proposal Format 

Proposal submissions should follow the following format:

• Summary
• Proposal (5 pages maximum)
  • Proposal Summary
  • Introduction to the organization
  • Problem Statement
  • Goals and Objectives
  • Program Activities
  • Methodology and Design
  • Timeline
  • Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
  • Future Funding or Sustainability
• Detailed Budget and Budget Narrative
• Workplan
• CVs
• Organizational Documents

Suggested Forms:

Please feel free to use the following suggested form to formulate your proposal, or use your own format if you wish.

• US Embassy Maputo Small Grants Program Application Form (DCX 51KB)

Key Dates and Deadlines:

1. June 30, 2023 at 23:59 CAT – Deadline for questions to be submitted
2. July 30, 2023 at 23:59 CAT – Deadline for submission of grant proposal applications
3. September 2023 – Expected time for project approval and award signing.

Contact Information

All questions and proposal application submissions should be made to MaputoPoleconSSH@state.gov before the above dates.

When sending an e-mail, please include “SSH” in the subject line.