Application for U.S Government Grants in Cameroon

The U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund

 

Introduction

The Special Self-Help Fund (SSH) provides small-scale assistance to Cameroonian communities as part of the U.S. Government’s commitment to support development activities in Cameroon.  Since 1983, the U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon has funded small community projects under this program in all ten regions of Cameroon.  The maximum support available for most projects is USD 10,000 (or about 4.5 million francs CFA). 

Basic Project Requirements

•  Initiated by the community and benefits the community by increasing income, improving rural infrastructure, or improving living conditions;
• Benefits a large number of people;
• Involves a significant local contribution such as labor, materials, land, equipment, or money;
• Within the ability of the community to operate and maintain;
• Completed within one year without requiring further Self-Help Fund assistance; and
• Respects environmental norms.

Project Categories and Acceptable Activities and Items

• Water Supply and Sanitation: Ensures broadly accessible, reliable and economically sustainable water and sanitation services to bolster healthy, secure, and prosperous communities.
• Social Services: Improves the life and living conditions of special populations which may be vulnerable or at-risk on a temporary or chronic basis.  These could include groups such as the disabled; orphans, children and at-risk youth; victims of gender-based violence; ethnic minorities, internally displaced or other socially excluded groups; the elderly; and female heads of household.
• Social Assistance: Provides financial or technical support for road construction and maintenance, irrigation works, reforestation, and soil conservation in post-conflict or post-disaster settings. Provides assistance to those suffering from temporary shocks resulting from economic reform.

Unacceptable Activities and Items

• Repair of existing facilities that are in poor shape as the result of neglect or lack of funds.
• Payment of recurring operating costs such as rent, salaries, administrative or operating costs, ongoing training/education needs, medications, fuel, animal feed, or seeds.
• Religious, political, or military activities, as well as those relating to police, prisons, or law enforcement.
• Revolving credit schemes.
• Office equipment and supplies such as computers, film projectors, stereos, pencils, paper, forms, folders, etc.
• Equipment or uniforms for national sport teams or national musical or dance groups.
• Land or buildings.
• Vehicles, luxury goods, gambling, or surveillance equipment.
• Abortion-related equipment and services.
• Pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides.

Funded Projects in 2010

In the year 2010, the U.S. Embassy was pleased to sponsor eleven SSH projects in seven regions for a total of USD 90,000.  The projects received funding to accomplish the following activities:

• Construction of
  7 wells
  3 classrooms
  2 health centers
  2 blocks of latrines
  1 food storehouse and 1 cassava-drying area 
• Purchase and installation of a grinding machine

Table 1 – Projects Funded in 2010 by Region and Project Type

Project Number	Region	Project Type
1	Adamaoua	Well construction
2	Center	Construction of 2 classrooms and a block of latrines
3	East	Purchase and installation of grinding mills
4	East	Construction of food storehouse
5	East	Construction of cassava drying area
6	Far North	Construction of health center ward
7	Far North	Construction of 5 wells
8	Littoral	Classroom construction
9	North	Construction of well for primary school
10	North	Construction of health center
11	South	Construction of a block of latrines

Selection and Award Process
The program is highly competitive; historically, less than ten percent of the applications received each year are selected.  If a project is selected for consideration, someone from the U.S. Embassy will contact the applicant, verify the information, and visit the site. 
Selection Timeline
Application deadline:  Open season.  Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
Selection period:         January - August 2012
Award period:             September - December 2012
How to Apply for the Fund 
Complete and send the application form to the U.S. Embassy.  Click here (PDF - 183KB) to download the application.  You can also request the application by mail or in person through the SSH Office. The Self-Help Application Form is FREE of charge and the Embassy DOES NOT request any payment to receive and evaluate a project.
Contact Information
Address:           Self-Help Fund
Embassy of the United States of America
B.P. 817 Yaoundé
Email:               grantsyaounde@state.gov
Telephone:       2220-1500 Ext. 4171
Fax:                  2220-1503
Office Hours:     Monday through Thursday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm and Friday 7:30 am - 12:30 pm