Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Programs

(Versao em Portugues)

The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program is authorized by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, with funds appropriated to USAID but administered by the Ambassador.

Purpose of Special Self-Help Programs

The overall purpose of the Special Self-Help Program is to promote U.S. Foreign Policy objectives and interests.

Special Self-Help funding allows the Ambassador to respond to the requests for assistance with small community projects that promise to have immediate impact and add to the advancement of U.S. objectives.

Project Selection Criteria

The projects selected for SSH funding should be those which:

Improve basic economic or social conditions in the host country directly with the people at the local community or village level;

Support high-impact, quick-implementation activities which benefit a large number of people within one year without requiring further SSH assistance;

Involve a significant local contribution in cash, labor, or materials, and are within the ability of the local community to operate and maintain;

Are in direct response to the initiative and aspirations of the local community (the local sponsors of the project, who will also be its prime beneficiaries); and

Do not initiate, continue, or supplement technical assistance programs.

Under SSH guidelines, posts are allowed a great deal of flexibility in terms of the focus SSH takes in their country.

U.S. Embassy Praia has committed a substantial amount of their SSH allocation schools, wells, health clinics, daycare centers, etc.

U.S. Embassy Praia has also identified and funded projects that produce employment and marketable skills (craft centers, husbandry)

SSH FUNDS CANNOT BE USED FOR

COSTS OF ADMINISTERING SELF-HELP ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING TRAVEL, WHETHER THEY BE INCURRED BY THE U.S. EMBASSY, COOPERATING GOVERNMENT, OR OTHER IMPLEMENTING AGENCY;

OPERATING COSTS OF SELF-HELP OR OTHER ACTIVITIES;

RELIGIOUS OR MILITARY ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS THOSE RELATING TO POLICE, PRISONS, OR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT;

SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT;

CREATING, CONTINUING, OR SUPPLEMENTING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS;

DUPLICATING OTHER USG PROGRAMS;

PERSONAL OR POLITICAL BENEFIT OF ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE USG, OR THE SPOUSE OR FAMILY MEMBER OF A USG EMPLOYEE;

PRODUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES FOR EXPORT THAT ARE LIKELY TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON COMPETING U.S. EXPORTS;

ACTIVITIES CONTRIBUTING TO THE VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED RIGHTS OF WORKERS;

ANY SINGLE SSH ACTIVITY IN EXCESS OF $25,000 WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL

SUPPORT OF EDUCATIONAL OR OTHER FACILITIES USED TO A SIGNIFICANT DEGREE BY U.S. EMPLOYEES OR THEIR DEPENDENTS;

ABORTION-RELATED FACILITIES AND SERVICES;

LUXURY GOODS AND GAMBLING EQUIPMENT;

TOXIC OR OTHERWISE UNSAFE PRODUCTS SUCH AS PESTICIDES OR HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS;

USED EQUIPMENT

ASSISTANCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING;

THE SUPPORT, BENEFIT, OR OTHER TYPES OF SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE PERSONS OR ENTITIES LISTED UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 13224, OR DETERMINED TO BE SUBJECT TO THIS ORDER OR OTHER SUBSEQUENT LAWS OR ORDERS, WHO COMMIT THREATEN TO COMMIT, OR SUPPORT TERRORISM.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE SSH MANDATE:

REFUGEES

HUMAN RIGHTS-RELATED ACTIVITIES

MULTIPLE GRANTS

PESTICIDES, FUNGICIDES, AND HERBICIDES

REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS/SEED MONEY

REMODELING OR RENOVATING AN EXISTING FACILITY

ACTIVITIES WITH NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

SPORTS EQUIPMENT OR UNIFORMS

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OR UNIFORMS

SALARIES

ONGOING NEEDS FOR EDUCATION/TRAINING

COMPUTERS

OFFICE SUPPLIES SUCH AS PENCILS, PAPER ETC.

EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE PROJECTS

SMALL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (LESS THAN 10,000 SQ. FT.) -- SCHOOL ROOMS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, HEALTH FACILITIES, FOOT BRIDGES, HOUSING FOR A GOVERNMENT OR COMMUNITY-PAID NURSE OR TEACHER, WORK SHOPS, COMMUNITY ABATTOIR, GRAIN STORAGE, RURAL AIRSTRIP FOR A HOSPITAL, AND SCHOOL DORMITORY FOR DISTANT STUDENTS.

WATER-RELATED PROJECTS -- WELLS, PUMPS, BORE HOLES, SHOWER STALLS AND WASH BASINS, FISH PONDS.

SCHOOL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES -- DESKS, CHAIRS, LABORATORY EQUIPMENT, AND LIBRARY ITEMS.

COMMUNAL CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT SUCH AS A BRICK-MAKING MACHINE.

MISCELLANEOUS DURABLE GOODS -- STOVE OR REFRIGERATOR FOR A SCHOOL OR HOSPITAL; WASHING MACHINE FOR A CLINIC.