U.S. AMBASSADOR’S SPECIAL SELF-HELP FUND (SSH)

SELECTION CRITERIA Projects should: 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. 2/2 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. Not exceed twelve months UNALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES Religious, military, or law enforcement activities; Activities with unmitigated and negative environmental consequences (such as dams or roads through forest lands); Procurement of vehicles; Activities that benefit any employee of the USG; Activities related to human rights; Procurement of pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides. Provision of capital to beneficiaries through either loans or grants APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Applications may be submitted in English or Portuguese; A copy of the organizations registration should be included with the proposal; The proposal must not exceed 5 pages (Times New Roman, font 12 and single line spacing), and must include the following information: Summary page; Name of the organization or group, address and target group; Proposal summary; Problem Statement; Project objectives and activities; Project location; Work plan for implementation of activities; Monitoring and reporting plan; Detailed budget; Program Partners; Future Funding or Sustainability; Brief description of key personnel