U.S. Embassy Praia Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program

<p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">U.S.

Embassy Praia welcomes the submission of project applications for funding through the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program (SSH).

If interested, please carefully review the instructions below.</span></p> <p><br></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The SSH is a grass-roots grant assistance program that allows U.S.

Ambassadors to support local requests for small community-based development projects.&nbsp;The purpose of the Special Self-Help Program is to support communities through modest grants that will positively impact local communities.&nbsp;The SSH philosophy is to help communities help themselves. </span><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Projects submitted for SSH must align with one or more U.S.

Embassy priorities:&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><em style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Economic diversification, including small business creation and income generation&nbsp;</em></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Projects must aim to 1) generate sustainable income and employment opportunities in local communities, 2) advance economic diversification and encourage use of local natural resources or income generation, 3) promote a culture of entrepreneurship, and/or 4) improve economic or living conditions of a community.</span></p> <p><em style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Women start-ups and women entrepreneurs</em></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Eligible projects assist women who are launching a business or who are overseeing the early stages of business development (between one to two years).

Such projects must promote a culture of women-led entrepreneurship and innovation that can be replicated in the community.

Projects must also promote profitable businesses that generate revenue and benefit the community.</span></p> <p><em style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Social and economic inclusion and creation of opportunities</em></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Projects in this category must assist youth, children, women (particularly female heads of household), and other vulnerable groups to gain access to basic services (for example water, sanitation, and primary/pre-K education).

They can also assist the creation of opportunities for vulnerable groups, particularly employment for youth.</span></p> <p><em style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Environmental protection, sustainability, resilience to environmental vulnerabilities, and adaptation to environmental change</em></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Eligible projects will increase the capacity of communities to cope with vulnerability to drought and other environmental changes by building resilience, increasing capacity to adapt, and promoting income-generating activities.

For example, projects may involve activities to improve water management, diversify agricultural practices, or provide benefits to the environment.</span></p> <p><br></p> <p><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">&nbsp;Local Community Involvement:&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">&nbsp;Local involvement of the organization or group must be at least 10% in cash or in kind of the total project costs.&nbsp;The community contribution of funding may be crucial to make a choice between two viable requestors.&nbsp;In-kind contributions could be:&nbsp;labor (wages of masons and workers), food, accommodation for qualified labor, carts of sand or gravel, bricks for construction, sand, fence, water supply, transportation costs, donations of materials etc.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Additionally, community leaders can sign a statement of interest.&nbsp;Community leaders include local municipal leaders, religious leaders, civil society leaders, or any governing body that has oversight over where the project will be implemented.&nbsp;One community leader can sign the statement of interest; however, multiple signatures are strongly encouraged.&nbsp;Community leaders may also submit letters of support for the project.</span></p> <p><br></p> <p><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">&nbsp;</strong><strong>Elements of a Successful Project</strong></p> <ul> <li>The project is initiated by the community.</li> <li>The project plan contains pre-established long-term goals and a coherent plan to keep the project running in the future.</li> <li>A capable project manager who is a long-term resident in the community is responsible for the project.</li> <li>There is strong coordination and communication among the grant recipient, local leaders, and local government representatives.</li> <li>The project makes use of materials and supplies that can be maintained by the community, and the materials that will not harm the environment.</li> <li>The project has a high beneficiary to budget ratio, benefiting a significant number of community members</li> <li>The project budget is clear, complete, and well defined.</li> <li>The project responds to a community need and is based on a well-developed proposal that is responsive to the priorities and criteria explained in this NOFO.</li> <li>Project activities and results show long-term sustainability.</li> </ul> <p><strong style="color: rgb(68, 114, 196);">Application Documents and Procedures</strong></p> <p>1.

Applications for Special Self-Help Funds should include the following:</p> <p><span style="color: black;">a.

Completed </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">SSH form, which can be downloaded&nbsp;</span><a href="https://cv.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/265/SSH_Informacoes-e-Formulario-copy.pdf" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 56, 117);">here</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">.</span></p> <p>b.&nbsp;Detailed building plan with dimensions (if necessary/ if small-scale construction envisioned in the project proposal).</p> <p>c.&nbsp;Project location (include map if available).</p> <p>d.&nbsp;Any additional information/literature you have about your organization and/or project.</p> <p>&nbsp;<span style="color: black;">2.

The following documents are </span><strong style="color: black;"><u>required</u></strong><span style="color: black;">:&nbsp;</span></p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong><span style="color: black;">Mandatory application forms</span></p> <p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color: black;">SF-424&nbsp;(Application for Federal Assistance&nbsp;– organizations)&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: black;">SF-424A&nbsp;(Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)</span></p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong>The forms can be downloaded from <a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html" target="_blank">grants.gov</a>.&nbsp;Instructions are available on the Embassy website at the <a href="https://cv.usembassy.gov/embassy/praia/grants-program/" target="_blank">&nbsp;grant support resources toolkit</a></p> <p><span style="color: black;">3.

Make sure that the below is addressed in your SSH form, </span><strong style="color: black;"><u>or</u></strong><span style="color: black;"> submit the following: </span><strong style="color: black;">Summary Page:&nbsp;</strong><span style="color: black;">Cover sheet stating the applicant’s name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.</span>&nbsp;<strong style="color: black;">Proposal </strong><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">(</strong><strong style="color: black;">3 pages maximum):&nbsp;</strong><span style="color: black;">The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do.

You may use your own proposal format, but it must include.&nbsp;</span><em style="color: black;">Proposal Summary</em><strong style="color: black;">: </strong><span style="color: black;">Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact. </span><em style="color: black;">Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying</em><span style="color: black;">: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S.

Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies. </span><strong style="color: black;">Problem Statement: </strong><span style="color: black;">Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed. </span><strong style="color: black;">Program Goals and Objectives:&nbsp;</strong><span style="color: black;">The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve.&nbsp;The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals.

These should be achievable and measurable. </span><strong style="color: black;">Program Activities</strong><span style="color: black;">: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. </span><strong style="color: black;">Program Methods and Design</strong><span style="color: black;">: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal.&nbsp;Include a logic model as appropriate. </span><strong style="color: black;">Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline:&nbsp;</strong><span style="color: black;">The proposed timeline for the program activities.&nbsp;Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events. </span><strong style="color: black;">Key Personnel:&nbsp;</strong><span style="color: black;">Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program.&nbsp;What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program?&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: black;">Program Partners:</strong><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees. </span><strong style="color: black;">Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:</strong><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;This is an important part of successful grants.

Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant? </span><strong style="color: black;">Future Funding or Sustainability</strong><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;<strong style="color: black;">4.

Budget Justification Narrative</strong><span style="color: black;">:&nbsp;After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;Proposals can be submitted in English or Portuguese languages.&nbsp;</p> <p>Submit the complete application package to the U.S.

Self-Help Coordinator/ Praia Grants.&nbsp;Applications will be accepted in electronic format, on a rolling basis.&nbsp;Email all required information to <strong>[email protected]</strong></p> <p><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">&nbsp;Application Deadline: </strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Applications received after&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">June</strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">&nbsp;will be considered with the next application period or will not be considered.&nbsp;Project selections will be announced&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">by October.</strong></p> <p><strong style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Applications will be evaluated on the following factors: </strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">&nbsp;</span><strong>Completeness:&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>Did the applicant submit all of the materials requested, including but not limited to requirements in the SSH forms found on U.S.

Embassy Praia’s website. <strong>Embassy priorities:&nbsp;</strong>Does the application describe how the project’s goals are related to the Embassy priorities stated in this document? <strong>Sustainability:</strong>&nbsp;Is the project sustainable in the long term?&nbsp;Will the project be able to continue without additional investment?&nbsp;Are the suggested measurements of success adequate? <strong>Need:</strong>&nbsp;Does the project adequately fulfill a stated need within a community? <strong>Budget:</strong>&nbsp;Is the budget complete, and well defined?

Is the budget reasonable? <strong>Completion within one year:</strong>&nbsp;Can the project be completed in a single year? <strong>Community support:</strong>&nbsp;Does the project show strong community support? <strong>Impact:</strong>&nbsp;Does the project benefit the broadest numbers of beneficiaries possible?&nbsp;Is there a substantial impact on the affected community? <strong>Contribution and Group Capabilities:</strong>&nbsp;Does the group provide adequate resources and show commitment to the project?&nbsp;Is the group capable of administering the project as designed?</p> <p>&nbsp;<strong style="color: rgb(68, 114, 196);">Review and Selection Process: </strong>A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong style="color: rgb(68, 114, 196);">Other Required Documentation/ Reporting: </strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Groups selected for funding will subsequently need to submit several required forms, including U.S.

Standard Form 424, a grants award document, and any other terms and conditions required by U.S. Embassy Praia.

Performance and financial reports will be required throughout the duration of the award.</span></p> <p><strong style="color: rgb(68, 114, 196);">Publicity Campaign: </strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">It is expected that publicity will be given to the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help program and its projects, including press and radio releases, photographs, and project site plaques that acknowledge the shared efforts of Cabo Verde and the United States.&nbsp;Publicity costs should be considered in the proposed budget.</span></p> <p><strong style="color: rgb(68, 114, 196);">Funding: </strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">U.S.

Embassy Praia is not required to fund any applications.&nbsp;Submitting an application does not guarantee selection.</span></p>