U.S. Embassy Conakry, Ambassador Special Self-Help Program | DOS CONAK FY22 00 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS CONAK FY22 00 01

The U.S. Embassy in Conakry (Guinea), under the U.S. Department of State, is offering small grants through the Ambassador Special Self-Help Program (also described as a community small grants program). The overall purpose is very practical: fund community-driven, quick-to-implement projects that measurably improve local living conditions. The program is aimed at tangible improvements in basic economic and social conditions, with an emphasis on projects that can be completed quickly and that benefit a large number of people. A central expectation is that the community is not just a passive recipient; participating communities must make a meaningful contribution of their own, including cash and/or in-kind support such as labor and materials. Because demand for these small grants is higher than the available funding, proposals are prioritized based on how strongly they match the program goals and selection criteria.

A key restriction shapes what can and cannot be funded. Due to Section 7008 restrictions, the U.S. government states it cannot provide assistance to the Government of Guinea until a democratically elected government is in place. In practice, that means proposed projects cannot involve government officials or employees acting in their official roles, and activities cannot take place in government-owned facilities. The notice also notes that this restriction includes local institutions such as schools and local government representatives, meaning applicants must design projects in a way that avoids prohibited government participation and venues.

Funding is limited but useful for concrete community investments. Total funding available is listed as $55,000, with an anticipated five awards depending on requested amounts. Individual grants are expected to range from $5,000 to $10,000. The funding source is Economic Support Funds authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act, and the funding instrument is a grant. Projects are expected to run between 3 and 12 months, with an anticipated program start date of October 31, 2022, while noting that awards depend on funds being available.

The opportunity targets local, registered organizations rather than individuals. Eligible applicants include registered self-help groups, community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, and certain educational institutions. The listing also reflects eligibility for nonprofits that do not have U.S. 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), which is consistent with many overseas embassy small-grant programs that work with local entities. Cost sharing is required, and it can be provided either in cash or through in-kind contributions; the program explicitly frames this as part of the self-help model, where communities invest alongside the grant.

The types of projects encouraged are hands-on community development activities, especially those involving durable improvements or essential equipment. Examples provided include small construction such as school rooms, community centers, health facilities, foot bridges, housing for community-paid nurses or teachers, workshops, slaughterhouses, grain storage, rural airstrips for hospitals, and dormitories for students traveling from distant areas. Water and sanitation examples include wells, latrines, pumps, boreholes, shower stalls and sinks, and even fishponds. Education-focused support may include desks, chairs, laboratory equipment, and library items. The program also mentions communal or income-generating equipment like brick-making machines, weaving looms, furniture-making tools, and rice-milling machines, as well as other durable goods intended for community-owned institutions such as stoves, refrigerators, or washing machines for a community-owned clinic.

At the same time, there are clear spending limits. Grant funds may not be used for personnel salaries, travel, fringe benefits, or alcoholic beverages. The budget has a strict format expectation: it may not exceed one page. Applicants are also asked to include pro-forma invoices (price quotes) for proposed expenses such as equipment, materials, and construction supplies, which signals the embassy wants realistic, verifiable cost estimates rather than rough figures.

Applications must follow fairly specific formatting and documentation rules, and non-compliant submissions can be deemed ineligible. All documents must be in English, budgets must be in U.S. dollars, pages must be numbered, and documents should be formatted for 8.5 x 11 paper. Microsoft Word documents must be single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, with at least 1-inch margins. Required forms include SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B (provided through the embassy contact email and also available via the embassy website and Grants.gov). In addition, applicants must submit a summary cover sheet with basic identifying information and a brief project purpose.

The main narrative proposal is capped at 10 pages and must clearly explain what will be done and how. Required content includes a short proposal summary, an organizational background demonstrating capacity (including any past U.S. Embassy or U.S. government funding), a well-supported problem statement, measurable goals and objectives, a description of activities, and an explanation of methods and design (with a logic model if appropriate). Applicants must also provide a schedule and timeline, identify key personnel and their roles (including how much of their time will support the project), list partners and any sub-awardees, and describe monitoring and evaluation approaches. Finally, the proposal should address sustainability, explaining how results will be maintained after the grant ends or what future resources may support continuation.

On the administrative side, organizations must meet federal registration requirements to be eligible for an award. The notice states applicants need a Unique Entity Identifier (noted in the document as a DUNS number) and an active SAM.gov registration. The grant will be formally awarded and administered by a Grants Officer, and recipients may only begin spending after the official start date on the signed award document. The U.S. government also emphasizes standard federal language: publishing the notice does not guarantee an award, there is no commitment to future or renewal funding, and proposals may be rejected.

Payment is structured to support implementation while maintaining controls. Funds will be disbursed in at least two installments, either as advances or reimbursements depending on project needs, and payments are requested using SF-270 (Request for Advance or Reimbursement). The award will carry standard Department of State and federal assistance requirements, including multiple 2 CFR provisions (SAM/unique identifier rules, subaward reporting, anti-trafficking terms, drug-free workplace requirements, and other standard conditions), as well as restrictions such as limits related to certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment purchases under federal law.

For this particular cycle, the deadline for proposals intended for consideration for 2023 funding was October 14, 2022, under funding opportunity number DOS-CONAK-FY22-00-01 and Assistance Listing 19.220. Application materials and guidance are available through the embassy (conakryssh@state.gov), the embassy webpage for the Special Self-Help Fund, and Grants.gov.

• The U.S. Mission to Guinea in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Conakry, Ambassador 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): 19.220.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-01-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-10-14. (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.
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for DOS CONAK FY22 00 01

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