Deadline: 12-Oct-20
The Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai is seeking applications for its Direct Aid Program (DAP) to provide small grants for activities that support development and strengthen communities in India. Over the past decade, DAP has built linkages and fostered relationships between Australia and these communities.
Direct Aid Program welcomes high quality applications that will support development and strengthen communities in Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra across all sectors.
Priority Areas
- Economic and social empowerment of women and girls
- Water management, sanitation and hygiene
- COVID relief and other areas impacted by the pandemic (such as livelihood, health etc)
- Education
Regardless of the type of project, all applicants should consider the impact of the project on women, children or other disadvantaged groups, such as people with disabilities. Projects should be self-sustainable beyond the term of the grant.
Funding Information
- Grants are typically provided up to AUD 20,000/ INR 10 lakhs. The majority of grant funding must be used to cover the direct project expenses. Funding cannot be used to directly fund:
- micro credit schemes
- salaries
- recurring costs (including office rental and utility costs)
- routine maintenance
- repairs (including equipment such as computers, stoves, fridges etc.)
- travel
- purchase of major assets such as property or vehicles and commercial ventures
- Ten percent of the proposed budget should be dedicated towards activities that generate public awareness about the project. A maximum of ten per cent of the grant can be allocated to administrative expenses required to deliver the project.
- Grant funding can only be utilised for purposes agreed upon by the recipient and the Australian Consulate-General. If the project changes as it is implemented, approval for the reallocation of funding must be sought from the Australian Consulate-General prior to the expenditure. Any unspent funds at completion of the project must be returned to the Australian Consulate-General.
- Funding recipients must meet some of the project costs from their own funds or in-kind support.
Eligibility Criteria
- DAP funding is available to NGOs and academic institutions engaged in development activities on a not-for-profit basis.
- To receive a DAP grant in India, all organisations must have current Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) approval.
Expectations for accountability, transparency and reporting
DAP require a high degree of transparency and accountability in all projects. Project proposals must demonstrate that the risk of wastage, administration costs and other costs not delivering direct benefit to the target community will be minimised.
For the project to be successful, one is required to:
- sign an agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the grant
- keep full financial records of all expenditure, including receipts
- submit a progress report within six months of receiving your funding
- submit a final report at the project’s completion
- allow and facilitate a visit by Australian Consulate-General representatives to the project site.
- acknowledge the receipt of the Australian Funds
- acknowledge the support of the Australian Government
The Australian Consulate-General supported 5 projects in Gujarat and Maharashtra in 2019-2020. Below are examples of past projects funded by the Consulate-General in Mumbai.
Swades Foundation (Raigad, Maharashtra)
- Swades Foundation will execute a hygiene and sanitation program with marginalised students residing in the Raigad district. The project will enable students to access sanitation infrastructure and clean drinking water. It will also create social consciousness about the importance of hand-washing and menstrual hygiene through awareness drives.
Under The Mango Tree (Valsad, Gujarat)
- Under The Mango Tree will focus on supporting the livelihoods for tribal farmers in the Valsad district of Gujarat through sustainable indigenous beekeeping. This project will aim to improve the farm incomes of the farmers and promote eco-conscious agricultural practices while developing their skills.
For more information, visit https://mumbai.consulate.gov.au/mbai/Direct_Aid_Program.html