FY 2020 Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program | NGA POLECON GR FY20 001 121919

Opportunity Information: Apply for NGA POLECON GR FY20 001 121919

The FY 2020 Ambassador's Special Self-Help (ASSH) Program is a small grants opportunity run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Nigeria (U.S. Embassy Abuja). It is designed to fund practical, community-driven development projects that can show visible, near-term results while also highlighting U.S. foreign assistance at the grassroots level. A key feature of the program is flexibility: it is meant to let the Ambassador respond directly to credible requests coming from local communities, especially for needs that are not already being addressed through larger, more structured U.S. Government assistance programs. At the same time, the program emphasizes self-reliance, meaning projects should be set up so the community can sustain the benefits after the grant ends and ideally replicate similar efforts in the future.

Funding is provided as a grant, with an award ceiling of $25,000 per project and an expectation of around five awards for this funding round. The opportunity was posted January 21, 2020, with an original closing date of April 1, 2020. The funding opportunity number is NGA POLECON GR FY20 001 121919, and it is listed under CFDA 19.700. Because the program is competitive and the Small Grants Office receives more applications than it can support, applicants are encouraged to submit well-prepared proposals that clearly show readiness, feasibility, and community ownership.

Eligibility is focused on registered non-profit organizations (NPOs), including Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that work directly with communities. Beyond formal registration, applicants are expected to demonstrate strong local ties and real community support, including coordination with local government bodies. Organizations also need to show they have adequate internal controls and financial monitoring systems, since the program expects grantees to handle funds responsibly and document spending and results. Another important requirement is local buy-in before submission: applicants must obtain approval from relevant local authorities such as a local development committee, tribal authority, local town council, and/or district council, depending on the local governance structure.

The ASSH program strongly requires cost-sharing from the community. Recipient organizations must contribute at least 10 percent of the total project cost, either in cash or as in-kind support. In-kind contributions can include labor, locally sourced materials (such as bricks, sand, gravel, or seeds), land, use of buildings, or other tangible inputs that reduce the grant amount needed and demonstrate commitment. This requirement is not treated as a formality; it is central to the program's goal of ensuring that communities have ownership of the project and are invested in maintaining it once the grant-funded phase is complete. Proposals are also expected to be implementation-ready, meaning planning should be complete enough that work can begin without major delays, and the project should be designed to remain functional without ongoing outside funding.

The program supports a range of community development objectives. One major category is economic diversification, including small business creation and income generation. Projects in this area are expected to expand sustainable income and employment opportunities at the community level, encourage entrepreneurship, and support practical ways for communities to use local natural resources to improve livelihoods. Examples provided include the purchase of income-generating equipment such as weaving looms, threshing machines, oil presses, and beehives, as well as other interventions that improve basic living or economic conditions.

A second category is social services, particularly projects that support disadvantaged or at-risk populations. This can include assistance for people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, older adults, and female-headed households. Eligible activities in this area may include construction of health clinics or workshops and water and sanitation projects, reflecting the program's interest in concrete improvements that benefit the wider community and can be maintained locally.

A third category focuses on youth and child development. This includes projects that help young people gain practical knowledge and tools to make healthier and safer life choices, set goals, and improve their long-term prospects. The program also supports youth opportunity initiatives, including those connected to employment. In terms of infrastructure and materials, examples include constructing school rooms or community centers and purchasing school equipment, furnishings, and books, so long as the project remains community-oriented and fits the program's rules.

A fourth eligible area is community-based natural resource management. This covers projects aimed at strengthening community ownership and stewardship of local resources, supporting sustainable community-based tourism, and promoting conservation. The common thread is that activities should be locally managed, environmentally responsible, and structured so benefits continue beyond the grant period.

The opportunity also lists an extensive set of activities that are not eligible for funding, which effectively defines the boundaries of the program. The ASSH program will not fund partisan political activity, surveillance equipment, or projects that duplicate other U.S. Government programs. It also excludes proposals that function mainly as technical assistance programs, scientific research, or general capacity-building meant primarily to grow the applicant organization rather than deliver a direct community benefit. Fundraising campaigns and lobbying are not allowed, and the program will not support projects that would personally or politically benefit U.S. Government employees (or their immediate family members).

Many common cost items are explicitly prohibited, including staff salaries or stipends, alcohol, medicines, school uniforms, school fees, bursaries, and other personal expenses. The program also bars charitable or donation-style activities (for example, giving away goods without a sustainable model), and it restricts support for religious, military, or law enforcement-related activities, including police, prisons, or similar sectors. It does not support abortion-related facilities or services, luxury goods, gambling equipment, or toxic/unsafe products such as hazardous chemicals and pesticides. Food purchases and food parcel distributions are also excluded, signaling that the program prioritizes development investments over short-term relief distributions.

Equipment purchasing is allowed in some cases, but the program generally discourages buying used equipment because of maintenance and reliability concerns. New equipment is preferred unless the used item is simple, spare parts are readily available locally, and the choice clearly reduces long-term operating risk. The program also includes legal and compliance-related exclusions tied to U.S. foreign assistance rules, including prohibitions related to illegal drug trafficking and any entities connected to terrorism under Executive Order 13224 or other applicable authorities, as well as any activity barred under the Foreign Assistance Act or appropriations laws.

Finally, the opportunity places limits on support to private businesses and certain education providers. It does not support private businesses directly, and it does not support private creches or public/government schools unless there is Parent-Teacher Association involvement, reflecting the program's preference for community-led structures rather than direct institutional subsidies. Overall, the ASSH program is best suited for well-defined, community-endorsed projects that can be implemented quickly, show measurable local benefit, include meaningful community contributions, and remain sustainable after the grant ends.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Nigeria in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2020 Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program" 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 Jan 21, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 01, 2020. (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 $25,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NGA POLECON GR FY20 001 121919

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