RFAs: Direct Aid Program Community Grants (Papua New Guinea)

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) Community Grants supports locally led projects in Papua New Guinea that address community-identified development priorities and deliver practical, sustainable benefits. Funding can support initiatives in areas such as education, health, livelihoods, agriculture, gender equality, disability inclusion, climate resilience, environmental protection, WASH, and community capacity building.

About the Direct Aid Program Community Grants

The Direct Aid Program Community Grants are funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The program focuses on community-led development and supports activities designed around locally identified needs. Rather than funding large-scale development programs, the grants are intended to help communities implement practical projects that can produce measurable and sustainable outcomes.

Supported activities may include:

• Community training and skills development.
• Basic service delivery.
• Community development initiatives.
• Small-scale infrastructure improvements.
• Livelihood and economic development activities.
• Environmental and climate resilience projects.
• Water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives.

Why the Direct Aid Program Matters

The program aims to strengthen community wellbeing while helping local organizations and groups develop their own capacity to address development challenges.

Projects should demonstrate clear benefits for the people they serve and contribute to sustainable and inclusive development.

Key objectives include:

• Improving community wellbeing.
• Strengthening local capacity.
• Supporting inclusive economic development.
• Increasing community resilience to climate and disaster risks.
• Promoting gender equality and social inclusion.
• Improving access to essential services.
• Supporting locally led and sustainable solutions.

Priority Areas

Applicants are encouraged to propose projects addressing important community development needs.

Priority areas may include:

Education

Projects can improve educational opportunities, skills development, training, and access to learning resources.

Health

Initiatives may address community health needs and improve access to health-related services and information.

Economic Development and Livelihoods

Projects can support income generation, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, vocational skills, and sustainable livelihoods.

Agriculture and Rural Development

Support may be directed toward initiatives that strengthen agricultural livelihoods and improve rural community development.

Gender Equality

Projects should help address barriers faced by women and girls and promote equal participation and opportunities.

Disability Equity and Social Inclusion

Activities can promote the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities and other underserved groups.

Climate Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction

Projects may help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related and natural hazards.

Environmental Protection

Initiatives can address environmental conservation, sustainable resource use, and community-based environmental management.

Community Empowerment and Capacity Building

Projects may strengthen local organizations, leadership, community participation, and practical skills.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

WASH initiatives can help communities improve access to safe water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants can include:

• Locally registered non-government organizations in Papua New Guinea.
• Community-based organizations.
• Academic and educational institutions.
• Sporting organizations.
• Religious organizations.
• Individuals acting on behalf of a community or group for a development-related purpose.

Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection to the community they intend to serve and show how the proposed activity responds to an identified local need.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The program does not provide funding to:

• United Nations agencies.
• Government agencies.
• Australian NGOs.
• Private businesses.
• Communities located in Australia.

Organizations should carefully verify their legal and organizational status before preparing an application.

What Projects Can Be Supported?

The Direct Aid Program is intended for practical, locally relevant development activities.

Potential projects may involve:

• Community training.
• Livelihood development.
• Agricultural initiatives.
• Health and education activities.
• Disability inclusion programs.
• Gender equality initiatives.
• Small-scale community infrastructure.
• Environmental conservation.
• Climate adaptation.
• Disaster preparedness.
• WASH improvements.
• Community capacity building.

Projects should demonstrate how activities will produce tangible benefits for the intended beneficiaries.

What the Grants Cannot Fund

Applicants should ensure that their proposed budget does not rely on activities or expenses that fall outside the program’s purpose.

Funding cannot be used for:

• Commercial ventures.
• Ongoing operational costs.
• Major asset purchases.
• International travel.
• Activities primarily supporting government.
• Activities promoting Australian commercial interests.
• Activities promoting Australian political interests.

The program is intended to support development outcomes, rather than routine organizational expenses or commercial activities.

How to Develop a Strong Project Proposal

Step 1: Identify a Community Need

Start by clearly defining the problem that the project will address.

The need should be identified by the community rather than simply imposed by the applicant organization.

Step 2: Define the Beneficiaries

Explain who will benefit from the project.

Where relevant, identify groups such as:

• Women and girls.
• Young people.
• People with disabilities.
• Rural communities.
• Low-income households.
• Farmers.
• Other underserved populations.

Step 3: Develop Practical Activities

Describe exactly what the project will do.

Activities should be realistic, locally appropriate, and achievable within the available resources and implementation period.

Step 4: Explain the Expected Results

Clearly connect activities to measurable outcomes.

For example:

Training → improved skills → increased livelihood opportunities

or

WASH facilities → improved sanitation access → improved community health outcomes

Step 5: Demonstrate Sustainability

Explain what will happen after grant funding ends.

Sustainable projects may include:

• Local skills transfer.
• Community ownership.
• Local maintenance systems.
• Training of community volunteers.
• Income-generating components where appropriate.
• Partnerships with local organizations.

Step 6: Prepare a Realistic Budget

The budget should directly correspond to project activities.

Avoid including prohibited costs or expenses that are primarily organizational overheads.

What Makes a Strong Application?

A competitive proposal should demonstrate:

• A clearly identified community need.
• Strong local ownership.
• Practical and achievable activities.
• Clearly defined beneficiaries.
• Measurable development outcomes.
• Inclusive participation.
• Environmental or social sustainability where relevant.
• Strong community capacity-building elements.
• A realistic and transparent budget.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing projects without evidence of community need.
• Designing activities primarily for organizational benefit.
• Including commercial activities.
• Requesting funding for routine operational expenses.
• Including major asset purchases.
• Including international travel.
• Failing to explain how beneficiaries will benefit.
• Providing vague or difficult-to-measure outcomes.
• Ignoring gender, disability, or social inclusion considerations where relevant.
• Failing to explain how project benefits will continue after funding ends.

Key Details at a Glance

• Program: Direct Aid Program Community Grants
• Country: Papua New Guinea
• Funder: Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Approach: Locally led community development
• Eligible applicants: Local NGOs, community organizations, academic and educational institutions, sporting and religious organizations, and eligible individuals acting on behalf of communities or groups
• Priority areas: Education, health, livelihoods, agriculture, gender equality, disability inclusion, climate resilience, environment, capacity building, and WASH
• Commercial projects: Not eligible
• Ongoing operational costs: Not eligible
• International travel: Not eligible
• Major asset purchases: Not eligible

FAQ

What is the Direct Aid Program Community Grants program?

The Direct Aid Program Community Grants program supports locally led development projects in Papua New Guinea that respond to community-identified needs and produce practical, sustainable benefits.

Who can apply for the Direct Aid Program Community Grants?

Eligible applicants include locally registered NGOs, community-based organizations, academic and educational institutions, sporting and religious organizations, and eligible individuals representing a community or group for a development purpose.

What types of projects are prioritized?

Priority areas include education, health, livelihoods, agriculture and rural development, gender equality, disability inclusion, climate resilience, environmental protection, community empowerment, and water, sanitation and hygiene.

Can private businesses apply?

No. Private businesses are not eligible for funding under the program, and grants cannot be used for commercial ventures.

Can the grant fund organizational operating costs?

No. Funding cannot be used for ongoing operational costs. Proposed expenditure should be directly connected to the eligible development activities.

Can funding be used for international travel?

No. International travel is among the expenses that cannot be funded through the program.

What should applicants emphasize in their proposals?

Applicants should emphasize community ownership, clearly identified local needs, practical activities, measurable development outcomes, inclusion, sustainability, and long-term community benefits.

Conclusion

The Direct Aid Program Community Grants provides an opportunity for locally based organizations and community representatives in Papua New Guinea to address important development challenges through practical, community-led initiatives. Strong proposals should demonstrate a clear local need, measurable benefits, inclusive participation, realistic implementation, and a credible plan for sustaining results beyond the grant period.