Australian Government Announces $1 Billion Direct Aid Program for Africa. Australia’s Direct Aid Program for Africa: A Game-changer for Development? A New Initiative to Support Development, What You Need to Know, How Will it Help?
The Australian Embassy’s Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program which funds projects that advance development and/or human rights objectives. The DAP supports international and local NGOs, civil society organizations and other community-based organizations operating in these countries.
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Benefits of Direct Aid Program (DAP)
- There is no minimum amount that a single DAP project can receive but the maximum is AUD60,000 (approximately USD 40,000 – amount changes according to the exchange rate) over the life of the project.
- Activities may run up to a maximum of two years.
- All applications must be accompanied by a fully costed project budget. A detailed budget is required and must be supported by two quotations for any budget line between USD700 and USD7,000 and three quotations for amounts above USD7000.
- Two referees (other than from the applying organisation or from an organisation/person that stands to gain from the proposed project) are required.
- Additional documents may be attached if necessary, however applicants are encouraged to be concise.
- Pictures are often helpful.
- The Embassy will seek further information if required.
Qualification Requirements
The DAP is available on a not-for-profit basis to international and local NGOs, civil society organisations and other community-based organisations engaging in development and human rights activities in the Embassy’s countries of accreditation: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, the Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR DAP SUPPORT?
DAP activities should achieve direct, practical, tangible, and immediate high-impact development outcomes for beneficiary communities. Priority thematic areas for the 2023-24 DAP year include:
- Gender equality, empowerment of women and social inclusion,
- Poverty alleviation and rural development,
- Environmental protection and climate change,
- Human rights and governance,
- Healthcare,
- Education, and
- Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
This list is not exhaustive, and applicants may apply for funding for development projects in other thematic areas.
Applications that address multiple thematic areas in a single project, will support vulnerable and marginalised
communities, clearly articulate the change that would occur during project implementation to achieve stated
development outcomes, provide robust public diplomacy opportunities (including links with Australia) shall be favourably considered.
Projects should be self-contained with finite timelines. Activities in which the recipient community themselves makes a significant contribution in terms of labour, materials or cash are particularly well received. Projects that might act as a catalyst for additional development of the community or a model for similar developments else where will also be welcomed.
Interview Date, Process and Venue
Proposals must be clearly defined with specific outputs. Proposals will be approved or rejected based on:
- The costs and the development benefits of the proposal
- Achievable and sustainable outcomes Soundness of the project’s objectives and design
- The practicability of the proposed implementation arrangements, and
- Whether the project conforms with the objectives of the Direct Aid Program
- Applicant’s consideration and approach to risk management e.g., Child Protection, Financial Management, Fraud Risks, Terrorism Risks and Environmental Protection Risks Funding under the DAP is limited and only a small proportion of applications received each year is funded.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to Australian Government on login.smartygrants.com.au to apply
You will find a Review and Submit button at the bottom of the Navigation Panel. You need to review your application before you can submit it.
Once you have reviewed your application you can submit it by clicking on ‘Submit’ at the top or bottom of the screen or on the navigation panel. You will not be able to submit your application until all the compulsory questions are completed and there are no validation errors.
Once you have submitted your application, no further editing or uploading of support materials is possible.
When you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your submitted application attached. This will be sent to the email you used to register.
If you do not receive a confirmation of submission email then you should presume that your submission has NOT been submitted.
For more details, visit Australian Government website on https://dap.smartygrants.com.au/Harare2023-2024_English
