Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects

  The Government of Japan introduced the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) in 1989 in order to respond to the diverse development needs in developing countries. Consequently, in 1990, the note verbal to adopt the GGP was exchanged between the Governments of the Kingdom of Tonga and Japan, and as of now over 300 projects had been implemented.
　Through the Embassy of Japan, the GGP supports small projects, not exceeding 20 million yen, proposed by various bodies such as local government authorities, educational/medical institutions, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
　The GGP provides flexible and timely support to small-scale development projects, which aim to improve the social well-being of the people at the grass-roots level.

  Of the more than 300 projects implemented in Tonga to date, approximately 50% involves the upgrading of the facilities of educational institutions, including kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and vocational schools, while approximately 40% involves the public welfare sector, including projects such as the provision of water supply systems.
　More than half of the above mentioned projects were implemented in Tongatapu, and the remained projects were implemented in Vava'u (16%), Ha'apai (15%), Niuas (8%), 'Eua (6%) island groups. These projects assist the People of Tonga.

 The GGP mainly targets areas that aim to improve Basic Human Needs such as projects that are highly beneficial at the grass-roots level and those that require timely support on humanitarian grounds.
 The following budget items cannot be financed in terms of encouraging voluntary efforts :

1. Projects that have uncertain benefits for grass-roots activities such as assistance for research by advanced academic institutions and capacity building of the recipient organization.
2. Projects limited to commercial activities and creation of employment of particular individuals and organizations, and that have uncertain direct benefits for grass-roots activities.
3. Culture, art and sport projects that are less related to economic and social development.
4. Projects with a political or missionary purpose or the intention of military use.

 The following budget items cannot be financed in terms of encouraging voluntary efforts :

1. Operating expenses such as office expenses and staff salary
2. Maintenance expenses for equipment and facilities given by projects and contingency funds
3. Social preparation or mobilization expenses
4. Assistance towards particular individual such as scholarship, rent, purchase of clothes, stationeries and food
5. Purchase of land
6. Fund research whose benefit effectiveness is unclear for the grass-roots level
7. Payment for customs, VAT, and duties, registration/license/certification fees etc.  Water/sanitation pipe and electric wire connecting to each household in projects of water and electrification.

For more details, please contact the coordinator for GGP
The Embassy of Japan in Tonga
Level 5th, National Reserve Bank of Tonga Building,
Nuku'alofa, Kingdom of Tonga
P.O. Box No 330

Tel: (676)28043, 22221