Deadline: 14-Jul-24
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is providing funding to community and grass-roots development projects which provide direct, immediate, tangible and high impact outcomes for beneficiary communities.
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program funded from Australia’s aid budget. It has the flexibility to work with local communities in developing countries on projects that reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development consistent with Australia’s national interest.
Thematic Areas
- Priority thematic areas for the 2024-25 DAP include:
- gender equality, empowerment of women and social inclusion;
- climate change and environmental protection;
- disability equity and rights;
- water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), including drought resilience;
- poverty alleviation and rural development;
- healthcare;
- education; and
- human rights and governance.
- Applicants may apply for funding for development projects in other thematic areas.
Funding Information
- There is no minimum amount a single DAP project can receive but the maximum is AUD60,000 (or the USD equivalent).
Competitive applications will:
- address multiple thematic areas in a single project;
- support vulnerable and marginalised communities;
- clearly articulate the positive change and impact that would occur following project implementation; and
- provide strong public diplomacy opportunities for the Embassy.
Projects should be self-contained with finite timelines. Activities to which the beneficiary community makes a significant contribution in terms of labour, materials or funds, act as a catalyst for additional development of the community or a model for similar developments elsewhere and/or have direct links with Australia will also be welcomed.
Proposals must be clearly defined with specific outputs. Proposals will be considered based on the:
- cost and the development benefits of the proposal;
- soundness of the project’s objectives and design;
- sustainability of outcomes;
- practicality of the proposed implementation arrangements;
- applicant’s consideration and approach to risk management including child protection, financial management, fraud, terrorism and environmental protection; and
- compatibility of the proposal with the objectives of the Direct Aid Program.
Eligibility Criteria
- Funding is available on a not-for-profit basis to community groups, non-governmental organisations and other organisations engaging in development activities in the Embassy’s countries of accreditation eligible for Official Development Assistance: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.
Ineligible
- They cannot fund the following expenses and costs through the DAP:
- operating, overhead and administrative costs (staff salaries, allowances, office rent, utilities, etc.);
- workshops and associated expenses (e.g., venue hire, food/drinks, audio/video, etc.);
- cash grants or micro-credit schemes or projects that involve the return of money;
- commercial ventures or private for-profit business activities;
- purchase of major assets, e.g. vehicles or land;
- Australian or overseas study tours;
- international travel;
- sponsorship of major sporting tournaments or cultural displays that do not have a clear development benefit;
- consulting fees;
- construction projects that use asbestos or other materials that are hazardous to human health;
- direct support for governments;
- Applications that request funding for these expenses will be removed from consideration.
For more information, visit Australian Embassy in Zimbabwe.