The Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund

The Ambassador’s Special Self-help Fund invests in people who take the initiative to launch small-scale community development projects that improve incomes, environment, nutrition or education at the grassroots level.  We support high-impact initiatives that will quickly benefit a large number of people and be sustainable over time.  We help people help themselves.  Every project must include a strong element of community involvement.  We prefer proposals that cost less that $10,000 and we fund about six projects a year.  The fund does not support requests from individuals or private enterprises.  All proposals must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Improve the community's economic conditions and quality of life; protect, enhance, or develop natural resources; and assist the greatest number or beneficiaries possible;
• Have community contributions (cash, materials, labor) amounting to no less than 25% of the total project value;
• Be completed within one year;
• Be within the means of the local community or self-help group to operate and maintain over the intended life of the project;

The following types of projects, activities, and costs are not eligible for Self-help funds:

• Personal service, administrative, start-up costs, and credit or loan programs;
• Cultural, religious, police, and military activities;
• Weather modification equipment;
• Pharmaceuticals and medical equipment;
• Pesticides and hazardous chemicals;
• The purchase of used equipment;
• Ongoing training, school or dormitory furnishings, laboratory equipment, or the payment of school fees;
• The purchase of vehicles;
• Land rental or purchase.

HOW TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL SELF-HELP FUNDS

Groups interested in applying for these funds should send project proposals to the Special Self-help Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy. Proposals and supporting documents will not be returned. Groups should include the following information in their proposals:

GROUP OR COMMUNITY HISTORY

• Name of group or community;
• Copy of group's registration with the Government as a NGO, if applicable;
• If self-help group or NGO, please provide the origin, goals, age of association, size, membership composition of your group; 
• Experience and special qualifications of group/community members.

PROJECT INFORMATION

• Project goals, project location (include map), and time needed to complete the project;
• Number of beneficiaries, as well as type and amount of community contribution;
• Amount of funding requested, including the following details:

   A full budget with line item cost breakdown (see below)

•    The amount/value of the community contribution;
•    Three proforma invoices for every item to be purchased, or service to be provided;
•     Description of attempts have been made to address the problems the group/community is facing;
•    Information on any special technical assistance required; 
•    Copies of CVs, if trainers, consultants, or experts are to be hired;
•    Schematic drawing of proposed project, if construction is involved;
•    Name of project supervisor/coordinator;
•    Any helpful supplementary information on your organization or project.

2006 SELF-HELP PROJECTS

In 2006, Post received $ 50, 000 to fund nine projects located in all of Djibouti's six administrative districts. Self-Help projects include:

• Underground cistern construction and well digging in rural areas
• Computer and vocational training workshops for youth in urban areas. 
• Water pumps, wells, and agricultural equipment for farmers.
• Income generating projects for women that included the donation of sewing machines, kiosks and carts for entrepeneurs.

For more information, please contact the Special Self-help Assistant at the U.S. Embassy Djibouti, telephone [253] 35.39.95, fax [253] 35.39.40