Notice of Funding Opportunity for Projects Benefiting Senegalese Youth | SSG200 16 GR 001 AF 110415

Opportunity Information: Apply for SSG200 16 GR 001 AF 110415

The U.S. Embassy in Dakar (Public Affairs Section) announced a FY 2016 small grants competition designed to support projects that benefit Senegalese youth and strengthen mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Senegal. The opportunity is framed around the idea that helping young Senegalese build practical, real-world skills is a strong way to support an open, prosperous, and stable Senegal, while also encouraging cooperation and shared values through people-to-people programs. The Embassy is looking for activities that equip youth to participate more actively in civic life and to develop as community leaders who can contribute to social and economic progress.

The competition focuses on cultural, educational, athletic, environmental, and related initiatives that build skills for youth ages 15 to 35. Priority skill areas are leadership, civic engagement and volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and science and technology. Proposals are expected to be concrete and action-oriented, with clear goals and a realistic plan for implementation rather than broad concepts or purely theoretical programming. The Embassy also signals that it is interested in programs that can create durable benefits, either by reaching a significant number of participants directly or by creating a multiplier effect where trained participants go on to teach, mentor, or influence others.

A key feature of the announcement is its emphasis on inclusion and geographic reach. Projects should primarily serve one or more priority audiences: young women and girls, youth from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, youth in underserved regions outside Dakar, and youth with disabilities. During review, preference is given to proposals that help create geographic balance across Senegal, meaning strong applications are likely to show activities outside the capital or include participants from regions that typically receive fewer resources.

Funding amounts are relatively small, with requests allowed from $500 up to $10,000, and the Embassy encourages cost-sharing (financial or in-kind contributions). The announcement anticipates up to about 10 awards, depending on available funds. Project periods must be no longer than 12 months, with proposed start dates falling between January 15 and May 31, 2016. The award instrument is a discretionary grant, and the sponsoring agency is the U.S. Department of State (Bureau of African Affairs).

Eligibility is limited to Senegalese local associations or NGOs that can demonstrate basic organizational and financial capacity. Applicants must have a bank account, a physical address, and an accounting system. Selected organizations will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which is a standard identifier used in U.S. federal assistance processes. Individuals are not the intended applicants for this competition; the focus is on organizations capable of managing and reporting on grant-funded activities.

The application package must be complete and structured around five core elements. Applicants need to submit a program title and clear narrative description that explains what the project will do and what outcomes it will achieve. An itemized budget and budget narrative are required, and the notice specifically mentions that allowable costs may include honoraria, costs linked to preparing financial reports, and staff costs. Organizations must also provide proof of management capacity, describing their management structure, key project and accounting staff, and relevant experience managing grants or projects. A timeline listing major dates and activities is required, along with a monitoring and evaluation plan. The notice stresses that objectives and indicators should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and reliable, signaling that the review panel will be looking closely at how performance and results will be tracked.

Proposals are reviewed competitively by the Public Affairs Section through a panel of at least three reviewers. Evaluation is based on the completeness and quality of the five required application elements, alignment with Public Affairs priorities, feasibility, and the likely sustainability and lasting impact of the project. Cost-sharing and geographic balance are explicit advantages in the selection process, and strong applications will typically show both a credible implementation plan and a practical approach to measuring results.

The timeline for the opportunity is clearly defined: the funding announcement was issued on November 4, 2015, and proposals were due by Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. Applicants are told not to begin activities until the Embassy grants officer signs the official notice of award; any costs incurred before that signature are not authorized and will not be reimbursed. Applicants are notified of results before awards are issued, and unsuccessful applicants are informed after the selection process concludes.

Reporting and compliance expectations are also spelled out. Successful grantees must submit program and financial reports, with exact schedules depending on the type of award, but reports will be no more frequent than quarterly and no less frequent than annually. A final financial report covering the full agreement period is due within 90 days after the award end date. While proposals are encouraged in English, initial submissions can be in French; however, if selected, the final application and all grant-related reports must be in English. Questions and proposals are submitted via email to pasmallgrant@state.gov.

In short, this opportunity offered small, targeted grants to Senegalese NGOs and associations for practical youth skill-building projects aligned with leadership, civic participation, entrepreneurship, and science/technology, with a strong preference for inclusive programs that reach underserved groups and regions and that can demonstrate measurable, sustainable impact within a 12-month project period.

• The Bureau of African Affairs in the business and commerce, community development, environment, natural resources, other, regional development, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Funding Opportunity for Projects Benefiting Senegalese Youth" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2015-11-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2015-12-15. (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.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Individuals, Others.

Apply for SSG200 16 GR 001 AF 110415

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