The Australian Government's
overseas aid program advances Australia's national interest by assisting
developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development.
With its focus on the countries
of the Asia-Pacific region, the aid program is an integral part of Australia's
engagement in the region and a practical demonstration of our commitment to
helping build regional stability and prosperity.
The aid program is also an
expression of the conviction of the Australian people that it is right for
Australia to help the millions of people, especially among our neighbours,
whose lives are afflicted by extreme poverty.
The Government's overseas aid
program is managed by AusAID, the Australian Agency of International
Development, an administratively autonomous agency within the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade headquartered in Australia’s capital Canberra. The
overseas aid program provides country specific financial allocations as well as
global and multilateral funding mechanisms.
The key priority sectors for
Australia's aid program in India are health, infrastructure, and water and
sanitation; within these sectors the program gives particular attention to
governance, environmental and gender issues.
Direct Aid Program (DAP)
Applications are currently open and will close on 24 May 2013.
DAP Application Form 2013-2014: http://www.india.embassy.gov.au/files/ndli/Direct%20Aid%20Program%20Application%20-%202013%20-14.docx
What is the Direct Aid Program?
Through the Direct
Aid Program (DAP), the Australian High Commission in New Delhi and Australian
Consulates in Chennai and Mumbai support small-scale, sustainable grassroots
development projects in India and Bhutan with grants of up to 10 lakh INR or
BTN equivalent.
DAP provides
support for activities that alleviate poverty and achieve development outcomes.
There is a particular focus on addressing the needs of women, children, and
other disadvantaged groups.
Since 2001, DAP has
funded over 130 projects in India and Bhutan, distributing total funding of
more than 1.2 million Australian dollars (approximately 6.6 crore rupees).
Examples of
projects funded by DAP in the past included building and restoring school
facilities, building toilet and sanitation facilities, installing solar
lighting, purchasing Braille machines and providing health care services.
CRITERIA FOR ASSISTANCE
Who is eligible to apply?
DAP funding is available to individuals, community groups, international or Australian NGOs, academic institutions, research bodies, libraries, museums or other organisations engaged in development activities on a not-for-profit basis.
All Indian-based organisations must have current Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) approval. Information about obtaining FCRA approval can be found here: http://fcraonline.nic.in/
Who is eligible to apply?
DAP funding is available to individuals, community groups, international or Australian NGOs, academic institutions, research bodies, libraries, museums or other organisations engaged in development activities on a not-for-profit basis.
All Indian-based organisations must have current Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) approval. Information about obtaining FCRA approval can be found here: http://fcraonline.nic.in/
What funds are available?
We prefer to fund projects up to 10 lakh Indian Rupees. The upper limit of DAP funding for any one proposal is AUD$30,000 (approximately 16 lakh INR) which will only be awarded in very rare circumstances.
We prefer to fund projects up to 10 lakh Indian Rupees. The upper limit of DAP funding for any one proposal is AUD$30,000 (approximately 16 lakh INR) which will only be awarded in very rare circumstances.
Partner
organisations must meet some of the project costs with their own funds or
in-kind support.
No additional funds
will be provided for the same project.
Organisations
should not expect to receive recurring funding, but may apply for funding for
different projects in subsequent years.
How long can the project run for?
DAP is a one-time grant for a project which takes less than 12 months to implement.
DAP is a one-time grant for a project which takes less than 12 months to implement.
What can DAP funds be used for?
We prefer to provide funding for capital goods rather than awareness raising or training programs, although we will also consider well targeted and well designed vocational and literacy programs.
We prefer to provide funding for capital goods rather than awareness raising or training programs, although we will also consider well targeted and well designed vocational and literacy programs.
Funds can be used
for:
- community health (such as purchase of equipment or provision of services)
- education programs (such purchase of books or school equipment, including Braille machines)
- small-scale infrastructure (such as building wells, irrigation facilities, latrines or water purification facilities)
- environmental programs with a development aim (for example solar lighting, water harvesting)
- preservation of culture with a developmental link
- sporting programs with a developmental link
- in exceptional circumstances, skills transfer through conferences or training workshops
- community health (such as purchase of equipment or provision of services)
- education programs (such purchase of books or school equipment, including Braille machines)
- small-scale infrastructure (such as building wells, irrigation facilities, latrines or water purification facilities)
- environmental programs with a development aim (for example solar lighting, water harvesting)
- preservation of culture with a developmental link
- sporting programs with a developmental link
- in exceptional circumstances, skills transfer through conferences or training workshops
Our target
beneficiaries are:
- women
- children and youth
- people living with disabilities
- the rural and urban poor
- children and youth
- people living with disabilities
- the rural and urban poor
What DAP funds cannot be used for?
DAP funds cannot be
used to fund micro credit schemes or any project that involves the return of
money by beneficiaries.
We do not encourage organisations to apply for funding to cover salary or administrative costs for the program. We cannot cover general organisation administrative costs such as electricity bills or office rental.
We do not encourage organisations to apply for funding to cover salary or administrative costs for the program. We cannot cover general organisation administrative costs such as electricity bills or office rental.
The funds can only
be utilised for purposes for which they are provided and agreed. Any major
changes must be submitted to the DAP Committee for re-approval. Unused funds
must be returned at the end of the project.
How can we apply?
You must submit your application in writing to the Australian High Commission or relevant Consulate, answering all the questions on the application form.
You must submit your application in writing to the Australian High Commission or relevant Consulate, answering all the questions on the application form.
Should you be
successful, you will be required to keep full financial records of all
expenditure (including receipts), submit a progress report not more than six
months after receiving your funding and submit a full financial report on
completion of the project.
If the proposal is
approved by the Australian High Commission or Consulate, a contract will be
signed specifying the terms and conditions.
How long will it take to get an answer?
Please allow four months for your application to be processed. The relevant DAP Committee will inform all applicants of their final decision.
Please allow four months for your application to be processed. The relevant DAP Committee will inform all applicants of their final decision.
Other important information:
Your application will be highly regarded if:
• It uses the correct application form (available here [hyper link to word document])
• Clearly explains the objectives of the project
• Provides a clear, itemised budget of realistic costs
• Clearly sets out who will benefit from the project
• Is accompanied by contact details (including e-mail addresses) of referees and previous donors who can speak positively and knowledgably about your organisation.
Your application will be highly regarded if:
• It uses the correct application form (available here [hyper link to word document])
• Clearly explains the objectives of the project
• Provides a clear, itemised budget of realistic costs
• Clearly sets out who will benefit from the project
• Is accompanied by contact details (including e-mail addresses) of referees and previous donors who can speak positively and knowledgably about your organisation.
The project should
be identifiable as being sponsored by the Australian Government – you must let
us know how you intend to meet this requirement. A small amount of funding may
be requested to help badge your program as Australian funded i.e. by erecting a
plaque, using stickers, or stamping books as donated by the Australian
Government.
Building or
construction related projects should meet or exceed Australian standards.
Asbestos must not be used as a building or construction material.
Where should I send my application?
Hardcopy
applications for projects in Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu should be directed to the
Australian Consulate in Chennai:
Chairperson, Direct Aid Program
Australian Consulate
9th Floor, Express Chambers
Express Avenue Estate
Whites Road
Royapettah
Chennai 600014
Chairperson, Direct Aid Program
Australian Consulate
9th Floor, Express Chambers
Express Avenue Estate
Whites Road
Royapettah
Chennai 600014
Hardcopy
applications for projects in Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra should be directed to
the Australian Consulate in Mumbai:
Chairperson, Direct Aid Program
Australian Consulate
Level 10, A Wing
Crescenzo Building
Opp MCA Cricket Club
G Block, Plot C 38-39
Bandra Kurla Complex
Mumbai 400 051
Chairperson, Direct Aid Program
Australian Consulate
Level 10, A Wing
Crescenzo Building
Opp MCA Cricket Club
G Block, Plot C 38-39
Bandra Kurla Complex
Mumbai 400 051
All other hardcopy
applications and inquiries should be directed to the Australian High Commission
in New Delhi:
Chairperson, Direct Aid Program
Australian High Commission
1/50 - G, Shantipath
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 21
P.O. Box 5210
New Delhi 110021
Chairperson, Direct Aid Program
Australian High Commission
1/50 - G, Shantipath
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 21
P.O. Box 5210
New Delhi 110021
