Djibouti- Ambassador’s Special Self Help Fund- 2022 | AF DJ POL 22 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for AF DJ POL 22 01

The Djibouti Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (SSH) 2022 is a small-grants program run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Djibouti. It is designed to support practical, community-driven projects that improve basic living conditions at the village or neighborhood level. The guiding idea is simple: the Embassy provides a modest, one-time boost to communities that are already organized, motivated, and ready to contribute their own time and resources to a project they genuinely need. The program is intentionally grassroots, focusing on tangible improvements that can be maintained locally after the grant ends.

For the 2022 cycle, applications were accepted from 18 April 2022 through 01 August 2022, with an approximate award decision date of 15 September 2022. Funding is provided as a grant, with an award ceiling of USD 10,000 per project and typical budgets falling between USD 5,000 and USD 10,000. The Embassy expected to make about four awards, but it also clearly stated it could choose not to fund any proposal, and that submitting an application does not guarantee selection. Projects must be completed within 12 months or less, and the Embassy support must be one-time only, meaning the community should not plan on follow-on Embassy funding to keep the project operating.

Eligibility centers on organized Djiboutian groups rather than individuals. Applicants must be citizens of Djibouti representing a civilian, religious, social, community development, special interest, disability, or advocacy group or organization, and the group must be registered with the proper authorities. A key expectation is that the applicant is not starting from scratch: the group should be organized, show a real local need, and ideally have a track record of successfully implementing community projects. The project itself must be feasible in the local socio-economic context and designed so the community can maintain and operate it after completion. Project managers are expected to demonstrate financial responsibility and the ability to account for funds, with practical indicators like having a bank account or established credit with vendors.

The program prioritizes high-impact projects with long-lived value that benefit as many people as possible. Strong community participation is not optional; it is required. Communities are expected to contribute meaningfully through cash or in-kind support such as labor, building materials (bricks, sand, gravel), land, buildings, seeds, transportation of materials, or other concrete inputs that directly help complete the project. The required local contribution is at least 10 percent of total project costs (cash or in-kind), and this community investment can be an important factor when comparing otherwise strong proposals. In addition, community leaders must sign a statement of interest, and the program encourages multiple signatures and letters of support that specifically reference the project by title. Leaders can include municipal officials, religious leaders, tribal or clan leaders, or other governing bodies with oversight in the project area.

The SSH program is strict about what it will and will not pay for. Funds may cover only items and technical assistance that are absolutely necessary to complete the project, and it does not cover administrative overhead. Commonly requested costs that are not allowed include administrative costs, salaries, supervision costs, project manager expenses, and travel costs to and from the Embassy. It also avoids non-permanent items and generally will not support expensive equipment or large-scale construction or agriculture. Costs incurred before an award are generally not reimbursed unless the grants officer pre-approves them in advance, and even then it is at the Embassy's sole discretion.

A long list of exclusions is meant to keep projects focused on community benefit and prevent the grant from turning into general operating support or asset purchases. The program does not fund vehicles or typical office equipment (including copiers and stereos), proposals with purely police, military, or cultural emphasis, and religious projects unless they genuinely serve the whole community regardless of affiliation. It will not support personal businesses, scholarships, donations, or honorariums, and it will not pay for pesticides or herbicides, labor and wages, operating costs, printing materials, fuel, or land purchases. It also will not fund renovation of facilities that are in disrepair due to neglect or lack of funds, office consumables like paper and folders, or contingency estimates. Importantly, SSH funding cannot be combined with money from other donors, international organizations, other U.S. government programs, or the applicant government; projects partially funded elsewhere are not eligible, and commingling of funds is prohibited. Projects focused on refugees or displaced persons are also excluded, since other U.S. programs are intended to address those needs. Finally, SSH funds cannot be used to purchase used equipment, luxury goods, or gambling equipment.

The opportunity highlights what successful proposals tend to have in common. Strong projects are initiated by the community itself and are guided by clear long-term goals, with a realistic plan for how the community will keep the project running after the grant ends. They are managed by a capable project manager who is a long-term resident of the community, and they often benefit from support by a neutral umbrella organization (like a local NGO or mission) that can provide guidance and help resolve disputes if needed. The Embassy also looks for strong coordination among the recipient group, community leaders, and local government representatives, and it favors approaches that use materials and supplies the community can maintain while avoiding environmental harm.

Examples of the kinds of projects the program is meant to support include basic water supply and sanitation efforts, such as improving safe water access through well drilling or spring capping, and expanding water infrastructure like pumps and distribution systems. It also includes basic sanitation projects that improve safe waste disposal to protect health and the environment. In the social services space, it supports initiatives that assist vulnerable and at-risk groups, including people with disabilities, orphans, children and youth affected by gender-based violence, ethnic minorities or other excluded groups, the elderly, and female-headed households. Potential activities for these groups could include classroom construction, school equipment, health centers, storehouses, income-generating activities, small local infrastructure, and educational support, as long as they remain within the program's cost limits and eligibility rules.

To apply, organizations had to submit a complete package by the 01 August 2022 deadline to the U.S. Self-Help Coordinator, either by post to the U.S. Embassy Djibouti (Lot 350-B Haramous, B.P. 185, Djibouti) or electronically by email to djiboutiselfhelp@state.gov. Required materials include a completed statement of interest, a comprehensive and detailed budget, a building plan with dimensions when relevant, copies of bank statements and/or invoices if available, a map of the project location, and any additional documentation about the organization or project. Late applications could be rolled into the next cycle or not considered at all.

Applications were evaluated on practical, results-oriented factors: whether the submission is complete and properly documented (including signatures, bank details, invoices, licenses, and proof of ownership when relevant), whether the project is sustainable without further outside investment, and whether it addresses a clear community need. Reviewers also examine the quality and reasonableness of the budget, the ability to finish within one year, the level of community support and participation, and the likely impact on the largest possible number of beneficiaries. Finally, the Embassy weighs the applicant group's contribution and capability, looking for evidence the group is committed and able to manage the grant responsibly.

If selected, recipients would be required to complete additional U.S. government grant forms and comply with award terms, including Standard Form 424 and other Embassy-required conditions. The program also expects public recognition of the partnership, such as press or radio mentions, photos, and plaques at project sites acknowledging the joint efforts of the Djiboutian and American people.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Djibouti in the regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Djibouti- Ambassador’s Special Self Help Fund- 2022" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.220.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 08, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 01, 2022. (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 $10,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for AF DJ POL 22 01

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