The U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund aims to support Mozambican community organizations and groups in developing lasting, self-sustaining projects that benefit entire communities. Through these efforts, the fund seeks to foster community self-reliance, participation, and contribution, improve economic or social conditions at the local level, ensure project viability and sustainability, respect environmental norms, and support projects that are completed within a year.
The SSH program in Mozambique, established in 1988, is designed to respond quickly to local requests for small community-based development projects. With a total of $2 million allocated in 2021 for projects across Africa, supported by Africa Regional Economic Support Funds, the program's objectives include fostering community self-reliance, requiring community participation and contribution, improving basic economic or social conditions at the local level, ensuring viability and sustainability of the projects, respecting environmental norms, and limiting project duration to twelve months. Past grants have supported various projects, such as water and health initiatives, environmental efforts, educational improvements, and income-generating activities, including water systems, school and clinic hygiene facilities, recycling and solar panels, classrooms and libraries, and tools for different trades.