Deadline: 4-Nov-22
The Australian High Commission in Fiji is pleased to announce the Direct Aid Program, a flexible small grants program funded by the Australian Government and managed through the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) overseas posts.
The program aims to support projects with a strong development focus that complement Australia’s broader aid program which contributes to sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. DAP supports projects that provide direct benefits to those most in need in the local community, including vulnerable or disadvantaged groups, women, children and youth and people with disabilities. From time to time, DAP also supports one-off initiatives to community groups with discrete inputs such as books for libraries or school furniture.
Funding Information
- Applicants can apply for a maximum of AUD $30,000 (around FJD $44,823) over the life of the project. Projects must be delivered within six months of funding.
- Projects requiring funding up to AUD 60,000 (approximately FJD 89,646) may be considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the DAP Committee.
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. We 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;
- That involve sporting activities targeting a disadvantaged group;
- That enhance educational and cultural exchanges and people-to-people links;
- That are achievable and have sustainable outcomes;
- That provide educational or occupational/skills training and have a clear plan for measuring the success of the training.
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, boats;
- 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;
- Freight of goods, except where the applicant demonstrates that it is not possible to source the same items locally.
Expectations for accountability, transparency and reporting
- They require a high degree of transparency and accountability in all projects. Applications must demonstrate that the risk of wastage, administration costs and other costs not delivering direct benefit to the target community will be minimised.
- Should your project be successful, you will be required to:
- Sign a contract 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 High Commission representatives to the project site.
Eligibility Criteria
- DAP is available on a not-for-profit basis to community groups, NGOs and other entities engaged in development activities in countries that are eligible for official development assistance.
For more information, visit https://fiji.highcommission.gov.au/suva/678910.html?