Opportunity Information: Apply for 0012021
The Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Program - Africa Regional Democracy Fund (ARDF) opportunity is a limited, competitive grant announced by the U.S. Embassy Harare under the U.S. Department of State. Through ARDF, the Bureau of African Affairs is making targeted funding available to strengthen democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms, and good governance in sub-Saharan Africa, with this specific competition focused on Zimbabwe as the priority region. The core idea is to provide modest but meaningful foreign assistance to local actors who can help reinforce democratic institutions, improve government accountability, and protect civil and political rights, especially for groups that are most at risk of exclusion or abuse.
Projects funded under this opportunity are expected to align with one or more of three major program objectives. The first objective centers on promoting accountable, transparent, and responsive governance. In practical terms, this includes supporting civil society organizations such as think tanks, academic researchers, watchdog groups, media associations, and journalists to push for stronger legislative transparency, public accountability, and oversight across national and local government. It also includes the possibility of specialized technical assistance that improves democratic governance, particularly work connected to legislative functions (for example, strengthening how legislatures draft, review, and oversee policy and budgets).
The second objective focuses on promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms. This area supports efforts to prevent, mitigate, document, and respond to human rights violations and abuses, with an emphasis on protecting vulnerable populations by strengthening human rights frameworks, institutions, and oversight mechanisms. The fund also supports local organizations, and in some cases key international human rights institutions, that work to improve human rights systems and protections, especially those serving women and youth. Another eligible direction under this objective is building the capacity of community-based groups, including faith-based organizations and local associations (resident groups, vendor associations, and similar structures), through civic education and citizen participation activities that help communities advocate for human rights and democratic norms and become more engaged in civic life.
The third objective supports democratic processes and the promotion of strong democratic norms. This includes assistance that enables local civil society to hold government accountable for free, fair, and credible electoral and political processes, with programming encouraged across the entire electoral cycle rather than only on election day. Examples mentioned in the opportunity include work that increases the representation of women in elected and appointed roles at national, regional, and local levels; support for legislation that safeguards fair processes; support for independent journalism on electoral issues; and issue-based political party development that incorporates civil society input. The opportunity also allows support for broader political processes like peace processes or negotiations, as long as they aim at long-term democratization, respect for human rights, and accountability, with attention to empowering women, youth, and marginalized or vulnerable populations.
From an award and timing standpoint, the program anticipates making one award, with a maximum award amount of up to USD 400,000, and total funding available listed as USD 400,000. The funding source is FY2020 Economic Support Funds (ESF), and the funding instrument is a grant. The expected performance period is up to 18 months, and proposals are expected to be completed within 18 months or less. The anticipated start date stated in the notice is September 2021, and the award is explicitly subject to the availability of funds.
Eligibility is tightly defined and is designed to favor local capacity. Preference is given to local NGOs, and applicants must be Zimbabwe-registered non-governmental, non-profit, or community-based organizations. The notice clarifies that registered trusts, associations, schools, and churches can qualify under this requirement, while individuals, businesses, and government entities are not eligible. A notable requirement is that every application must include and clearly identify a significant community contribution, which can be cash, labor, and/or materials, reinforcing the expectation that the project has local buy-in and shared investment. Applicants are also expected to demonstrate sound financial and administrative management systems that guard against fraud, waste, and abuse. In addition, organizations funded in 2020 (or projects seeking continued funding) are not eligible, since the fund is not intended to support recurring programs.
There are also standard U.S. government registration requirements. To receive an award, organizations must have a unique entity identifier (the notice references a DUNS number) and must have an active registration on SAM.gov. These registrations are treated as prerequisites for award eligibility.
Application submission is document-heavy and format-specific. Application forms are available through the U.S. Embassy Harare website (linked in the notice) and/or Grants.gov. All submissions must be in English, budgets must be in U.S. dollars, pages must be numbered, and documents must be formatted to 8.5 x 11-inch paper. The narrative documents prepared in Microsoft Word are required to be single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, with at least one-inch margins. The required package includes the standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B, with SF-424B only required for individuals and organizations not registered in SAM.gov), plus a summary cover sheet that identifies the applicant and basic project details (title, dates, purpose).
The proposal narrative itself is capped at 10 pages and must be written so that a reader unfamiliar with the project can clearly understand what will be done and how. It must include a program summary with objectives and expected impact, an introduction to the applicant organization including relevant experience and prior grant history (including any U.S. government or Embassy support), a clearly supported problem statement, measurable goals and objectives, a description of activities, and an explanation of the program design and methods (including a logic model where appropriate). Applicants must also provide a detailed schedule and timeline with dates and locations, identify key personnel and how much time they will devote, list partners and any sub-awardees, and provide a monitoring and evaluation plan explaining how implementation will be tracked and how results will be assessed. A sustainability or future funding plan is also required to show what happens after the grant ends or what resources may keep the work going.
On the budgeting side, applicants must complete the SF-424A and also submit a separate budget justification narrative that explains each cost line in detail. The attachments list is extensive and is meant to strengthen due diligence and feasibility. It includes one-page CVs or resumes for key staff, letters of support from partners that spell out roles, the applicant's NICRA documentation if indirect costs are being charged, and official permission letters or MOUs with relevant local authorities (such as district administrators or councils) where activities will occur. If land is involved, proof of land ownership is required. The notice also requires use of provided templates (Annex A for the narrative and Annex B for the budget template), a copy of the organization registration certificate, and original pro-forma invoices or quotations for budgeted items, with three quotes required per item.
Finally, the opportunity metadata indicates this is a discretionary grant opportunity issued by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe, under funding opportunity number 0012021 and CFDA 19.345, with an original closing date of March 14, 2021. Overall, the competition is structured to fund one substantial Zimbabwe-based project that can demonstrate clear relevance to democracy and governance priorities, credible implementation capacity, strong local participation and contributions, and measurable outcomes within an 18-month timeframe.Apply for 0012021
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program – Africa Regional Democracy Fund (ARDF)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.345.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 08, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 14, 2021. (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 $400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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