U.S. Embassy Gaborone’s Ambassador’s Special Self Help Program

The U.S. Embassy Gaborone announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out projects through the Ambassador’s Special Self Help (ASSH) Small Grants Program.  Please carefully follow all instructions below.

  Purpose of Small Grants: 

ASSH program is a grass-roots grant assistance program that funds grants for small development activities that generate public awareness of U.S. foreign assistance efforts but that fall outside the structure of other established U.S. assistance projects.  The program is intended to be flexible and allow the Ambassador to respond directly to requests from local communities for assistance with small community projects that have immediate impact, and further mission policies and objectives.  Equally important, the Special Self-Help program is structured to encourage communities to be self-reliant and undertake similar activities on their own in the future.   

Projects must align with one or more U.S. Embassy priority:

• Community-based natural resource management

Expand effective community ownership and management of natural resources.  Preserve and/or expand wildlife corridors.  Develop sustainable community-based tourism.  Promote the conservation of natural resources.

• Economic diversification, including small business creation and income generation

Generate sustainable income and employment opportunities in local communities.  Advance economic diversification at the grassroots level.  Encourage use of local natural resources for income generation.  Promote a culture of entrepreneurship.  Improve basic economic or living conditions of a community.

• Social services to assist disadvantaged populations

Assist populations which may be disadvantaged or at-risk on a temporary or chronic basis, including people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, the elderly and female heads of household.

• Youth and child development

Assist youth to gain knowledge and tools to live positively, set life goals and enhance their own health, safety and security.  Create opportunities for youth, including employment.