The U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self Help Program (SSH)
The U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self Help Program (SSH)
The US Ambassador’s Special Self Help (SSH) Program provides small grants for community development activities to support the welfare and development of Niger. The program enables the Ambassador to respond quickly and directly to communities and associations which have expressed a legitimate need and demonstrated the appropriate level of community organization required to ensure the successful execution of a project (usually 25% of total project in cash or kind). Typically, the program funds about 15 projects a year with grants between $1,000 and $ 10,000 USD (about 500,000 to 5,000,000 Fcfa).
Projects
The main goal of SSH is to help small community or village group projects get started continue on their own in a sustainable fashion after Embassy assistance. SSH can provide funding for projects designed by community groups or associations and include activities, such as, but are not limited to:
Water and sanitation (latrines, wells, foot pumps, boreholes, foot bridges);
Education (class room construction, school walls, desks, chairs, books);
Health (health center or hut and maternity construction, medical equipment);
Income generation (sewing machines, milling machines, cereal banks, chicken raising, market gardening);
How can you apply for SSH funds?
Nigerien communities and organizations are encouraged to apply independently or with the assistance of an NGO, especially if new to the grants process. These NGOs must keep in mind that their assistance must be in such a way that overlapping in financing and shared project expenses can be avoided. Please follow the link for Special Self Help Fund requirements (here) and an application form (here).
Applications are accepted at the West Gate entrance to the US Embassy in Niger or by mail, or by email to NiameySSH@state.gov. Please send all correspondence to the attention of:
Madame Mireille Gbetholancy-Kun
Special Self Help Coordinator
U.S. Embassy, Rue des Ambassades