Deadline: 16-Sep-22
The Australian High Commission is now accepting applications for the Direct Aid Program, a competitive small grants program funded by the Australian Aid program which aims to support community projects that align with Australia’s aid program priorities.
DAP projects cover a range of sectors such as education, health, water and sanitation, environmental protection, women’s empowerment and gender equality, supporting people with disabilities, economic livelihoods, food security and human rights.
DAP projects engage a wide range of partners including community groups, non-government organisations, educational institutions and local governments. Through helping people in need they can show Australia is a supportive and trusted partner in addressing aid challenges in partner countries.
Priority Areas
Projects that demonstrate a strong benefit to local communities and align with the priority areas:
- People with disabilities
- Women and girls
- Income generation and livelihoods
- Human rights
- Environment and climate change
- Community health
- Arts and culture
- Youth and social inclusion
Principles
The program is founded on a set of principles which:
- Advance developmental outcomes in countries eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA) through projects primarily focused on practical and tangible results,
- Support Australia’s wider foreign and trade policy interests and public diplomacy objectives, including promoting a distinctive and positive image of Australia, and
- Allow for a wide geographic reach reflecting that Australia has global interests and that DAP provides an effective way to build relationships and maintain Australia’s profile.
Funding Information
The DAP invites proposals up to 15,000 pa’anga that demonstrate a strong benefit to local communities and align with the priority areas of the Australian Aid program in Tonga.
Eligible Activities
DAP activities should primarily be aimed at achieving practical and tangible outcomes of high development impact. DAP is able to fund activities that have a direct, practical and immediate impact, including capacity building programs in the areas of governance and human rights engagement. They will favourably consider projects:
- In the areas of community and/or rural development, education, gender equality, disabilities, youth, human rights, the environment, small-scale infrastructure, economic empowerment and ad hoc humanitarian relief.
- Where applicants and their communities make a contribution in labour, materials, transport or cash;
- Sporting activities
- That enhances educational and cultural exchanges and people-to-people links
- That is achievable and have sustainable outcomes
- Projects that provide educational or occupational/skills training
Ineligible
- Issuing cash grants, cash prizes, grants programs, micro-credit schemes, commercial ventures, and payment for food caterings/meals
- Buying livestock, vehicles, lawnmowers, weed eaters, water tanks or fences for individual households
- Improvements to an individual’s house or land
- Overseas travel
- Routine and/or recurring running costs and administrative expenses including rent and utility costs, spare parts, routine maintenance and reports, or staff salaries.
Eligibility Criteria
DAP is available on a not-for-profit basis to individuals, community groups, NGOs and other entities engaged in development activities in countries that are eligible for official development assistance (ODA).
For more information, visit https://tonga.embassy.gov.au/nkfa/DirectAidProgram.html