Deadline: 17-Nov-23
The Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata is inviting applications for its Direct Aid Program to support projects that have a strong development focus, contribute to poverty reduction, and strengthen communities in India.
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program funded by the Australian Government and managed through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata manages the DAP in east and north east India. Over the past decade, DAP has built linkages and fostered relationships between Australia and these communities.
Funding Information and Timeframes
- DAP grants typically range up to 10 lakh INR, with some flexibility in case of justified project expenses. The majority of grant funding must be used to cover the direct project expenses (excluding staff salaries). Any administrative costs given by the application should comply with current FCRA rules. Funding recipients must meet some of the project costs from their own funds or in-kind support.
- Projects should be self-contained, with finite timelines. They must run for no longer than 12 months and should be self-sustainable beyond the term of the grant.
Eligible Activities
- DAP activities should aim to achieve practical and tangible outcomes of high development impact. In 2023-24 they aim to work with partners on high quality projects on four thematic areas:
- Education, innovation and entrepreneurship: both Australia and India are committed to supporting education and research collaboration, through knowledge exchange and innovation. Kolkata’s DAP will prioritise education access particularly to the under-served communities. DAP will prioritise projects which provide pathways between skill training and marketing and entrepreneurship.
- Climate Action and environmental conservation: DAP will focus on projects that promote sustainable conservation practices and minimise the depletion of natural resources and barriers. In particular, they will focus on greening initiatives that are self-sustaining. Projects which demonstrate awareness about the positive environmental impact of their activity will be considered favourably in DAP assessments.
- Indigenous Economic Security: In line with the Australian government’s commitment to support the rights of indigenous peoples around the world, DAP will support programs that maximise economic opportunities for indigenous people, and promote sustainable development for all indigenous peoples.
- Gender diversity and women’s empowerment: The Australian Government’s commitment to gender equality is at the heart of Australia’s International Development Policy. Gender Equality is integral to advancing Australia’s national interests and reflects Australian values of fairness and substantive equality. Consistent with Australia’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment strategy, the DAP program seeks to address the following:
- promote women’s health and nutrition requirements
- promote women’s economic empowerment
- promote women’s status in their communities, and
- help end violence against women and girls.
- DAP will encourage innovative and sustainable ideas that promote diversity in all its forms – indigenous inclusion, LGBTQIA+ and disability rights.
Eligibility Criteria
- DAP funding is available to community groups, NGOs and academic institutions engaged in development activities on a not-for-profit basis. For projects in India, applicants must have current Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration and the applications should be in line with its latest Amendment Rules.
- The Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata supports small-scale, sustainable development projects in east and north east India.
- States covered by the Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal.
Ineligible
- They will generally not fund the following:
- cash grants or micro-credit schemes or projects that involve the return of money
- commercial ventures
- purchase of major assets, e.g. vehicles
- Australian or overseas study tours
- international travel
- sponsorship of major sporting tournaments or cultural displays that do not have a clear developmental benefit
- staff salaries
- routine, recurring running costs and administrative expenses including office rental and utility costs, spare parts, routine maintenance.
For more information, visit Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata.