Apply for Direct Aid Program – Lebanon

Deadline: 06-Sep-2024

The Australian Embassy Lebanon is currently accepting applications for the Direct Aid Program (DAP) for the fiscal year of 2024-25.

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) of the Australian Embassy is a flexible, small grants program which focuses on relieving humanitarian hardship and advancing developmental objectives in Lebanon through projects that are consistent with Australia’s international relations and public diplomacy objectives. Each year, the Embassy’s DAP committee assesses proposals for small development projects from individuals, community groups and non-governmental organisations engaged in development activities on a not-for-profit basis.

The Australian Embassy in Beirut aims to support a geographic spread of projects and to balance support among different communities in Lebanon.

Funding Information

• There is no minimum amount that a single DAP project can receive but the maximum is USD40,000 over the life of the project. To ensure they support as many projects as possible each year, they generally fund projects that are usually for one year and between USD 15,000 – 25,000 in value.

Eligible Projects

• They will look for projects that:
  • are participatory in nature, and have involved the beneficiaries in the identification, design and management of the project.
  • achieve outcomes in the areas of education, health, water and sanitation, environmental protection, women’s empowerment and gender equality, supporting people with disabilities, human rights (including LGBTQI+), economic livelihoods, and food security;
  • are self-contained and achievable within one year (two-year projects are only approved in very rare circumstances);
  • have sustainable outcomes, including having sustainable funding sources for the project (e.g. a proven method of paying salaries and paying recurrent costs for workers, equipment maintenance etc at a rehabilitated medical clinic);
  • can demonstrate the project will benefit all members of the community in an inclusive way (e.g. supporting both Lebanese and refugee populations in a specific region);
  • might act as a catalyst for additional development of the community or a model for similar developments elsewhere;
  • demonstrate a commitment to disability inclusion in the design of the project;
  • where applicants and their communities make a contribution in labour, materials, transport or cash;
  • provide educational or occupational/skills training that will provide an enduring benefit for participants.

Ineligible Projects

• They will generally not support projects such as:
  • cash grants or micro-credit schemes or projects that involve the return of money
  • the establishment of commercial, for-profit ventures
  • the purchase of major assets that have recurrent costs, e.g. vehicles and generators that rely on a steady supply of fuel
  • international travel, including for study tours
  • sponsorship of sporting tournaments or cultural displays that do not have a clear, ongoing developmental benefit
  • staff salaries of the entity that is applying (except the use of contractors or consultants to achieve a specific outcome within the project)
  • routine, recurring running costs and administrative expenses including office rental and utility costs, spare parts, routine maintenance
  • catering and food and beverage expenses for events or conferences.

Eligibility Criteria

• DAP is available on a not-for-profit basis to local organisations at the community level (community groups, NGOs and other entities engaged in development activities) in countries that are eligible for official development assistance (ODA). Lebanon is eligible for ODA.

For more information, visit Australian Embassy Lebanon.