Deadline: 14-Aug-2025
The Australian Embassy in Beirut offers the Direct Aid Program (DAP), a flexible small grants initiative aimed at alleviating humanitarian hardship and advancing development objectives in Lebanon and Syria.
This program is funded through Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget and managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT). It supports community-level projects led by not-for-profit organizations, including local NGOs and civil society groups.
DAP projects are expected to focus on areas such as education, health, water and sanitation, environmental protection, women’s empowerment, gender equality, support for people with disabilities, human rights, economic livelihoods, and food security. The Embassy seeks initiatives that are participatory, involving beneficiaries in the identification, design, and management of the project. Additionally, projects should be self-contained and achievable within one year, with sustainable outcomes and inclusive benefits for both Lebanese and refugee populations.
While there is no minimum funding amount, the maximum grant per project is AUD 60,000, with most projects falling between USD 10,000 and 25,000. The Embassy encourages applications that demonstrate community contributions in labor, materials, transport, or cash, and those that provide enduring benefits through educational or skills training. However, certain projects are generally not supported, including cash grants, micro-credit schemes, commercial ventures, major asset purchases with recurrent costs, international travel, and routine administrative expenses.
The selection process is competitive, and successful applicants must adhere to reporting obligations, including providing documentation to prove that DAP funds were spent according to the project proposal. Embassy officers may visit the project sites, and recipients are expected to acknowledge Australia’s support in public relations materials and mark any infrastructure projects as a gift from Australia.
For more information, visit Australian Embassy Lebanon.
