U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund, U.S. Embassy Lilongwe | MWI ASSHF FY18

Opportunity Information: Apply for MWI ASSHF FY18

The U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund, administered by the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe, is a small-grants program designed to tackle urgent, practical development needs at the village and community level across Malawi. Established in 1966, the fund focuses on improving basic economic and social conditions through projects that communities identify themselves. Over roughly five decades, it has financed more than 1,463 projects in all 28 districts, distributing over USD 6 million in total. Typical past projects include building or improving classroom blocks, under-five clinics, shelters for pregnant mothers waiting to deliver, school libraries and girls' hostels, as well as environmentally focused and public health activities such as biogas digesters, eco-stove production, and clean water access through boreholes and shallow wells.

A central feature of the SSH Fund is that it supports small, community-based development activities that are visible and immediately useful, while sitting outside the structure of larger, longer-term USAID programs. The program is intentionally flexible so the U.S. Ambassador can respond quickly to locally submitted requests that align with U.S. Mission priorities and objectives. Another core aim is to strengthen community self-reliance: projects are meant to be initiated locally, managed at the local level, and built in a way that encourages communities to sustain the results and pursue similar efforts independently in the future.

Eligibility is geared toward community-driven applicants rather than individuals, and the program places strong emphasis on local ownership and meaningful community contributions. Proposals are expected to include significant in-kind or direct support from the community, such as labor, materials, or cash contributions, reflecting the program's philosophy of helping communities that are ready to help themselves. The Embassy also aims for geographic diversity when selecting projects each year, and it specifically encourages proposals where women and girls are the primary beneficiaries. At the same time, the Embassy notes that it will not consider projects that benefit only a small number of individuals, reinforcing the expectation that funded activities should produce broader community-level impact.

From an award and administrative standpoint, this opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: MWI ASSHF FY18) is offered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malawi, as a grant instrument under a community development activity category (CFDA 19.700). Individual awards range from USD 3,000 to USD 15,000, with an award ceiling of USD 15,000 and an anticipated number of awards around 10 for the cycle referenced in the source information. The opportunity listing shows a creation date of June 3, 2019, and an original closing date of July 5, 2019.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malawi in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund, U.S. Embassy Lilongwe" 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 Jun 03, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 05, 2019. (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 $15,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for MWI ASSHF FY18

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