Australian High Commission
Tuvalu

The Direct Aid Program (DAP)

THE DIRECT AID PROGRAM (DAP)  IS NOW OPEN AND ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS.

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program funded by the Australian Government and managed by the Australian High Commission in Funafuti. DAP aims to support small-scale projects with a strong development focus that complement Australia’s broader aid program. This funding is only available to community groups, NGOs and other organisations engaged in development activities on a not-for-profit basis.

Applicants applying online for the 2021-22 DAP round can access the online system here

Please read the following Guidelines carefull before applying. 

Direct Aid Program Guidelines

What is the Direct Aid Program?

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a flexible, small grants program funded by the Australian Government, available to non-government organisations (NGOs) and community groups engaged in development projects.

Objective

To support projects with a strong development focus that complement Australia’s broader aid program, which contributes to sustainable economic growth and improved living conditions.

Who can apply?

DAP is available on a not-for-profit basis to community groups, NGOs and other entities engaged in small scale development projects, such as religious groups and schools.

What projects are eligible for DAP support?

DAP is able to fund projects that have a direct, practical and immediate impact.

Favourable consideration will be provided to projects:

  • in the areas of gender equality, disabilities, community and/or rural development, education, health, sport (particularly if supporting a disadvantaged group), youth, human rights, the environment, small scale infrastructure such as water tanks, and economic empowerment;
  • where applicants and/or communities make a contribution in labour, materials, transport or cash;
  • sporting activities;
  • that pursue innovative approaches, projects and partners;
  • that enhance educational and cultural exchanges and people-to-people links;
  • that are achievable and have sustainable outcomes; and/or
  • that provide educational or occupational/skills training and have a clear plan for measuring the success of training.

Projects that would generally not be funded include:

  • micro credit schemes or projects that involve the return of money;
  • commercial ventures;
  • purchase or rental of property or land;
  • routine, recurring running costs and administrative expenses including office rental and utility costs, spare parts, routine maintenance purchase of major assets eg. vehicles, boats, computers, air conditioning units etc;
  • staff salaries;
  • Australian or overseas study tours;
  • international travel;
  • sponsorship of major sporting tournaments or cultural displays that do not have a clear developmental benefit; and
  • freight of goods, except where the applicant demonstrates that it is not possible to source the same items locally.

Projects should be small-scale, self-contained and with finite time lines. Projects in which the applicant or community themselves makes a significant contribution in terms of labour, materials or cash are particularly well received.

Eligible projects would normally be implemented over a relatively short period, generally up to one (1) year.

Funding limit of grants is AUD15,000, however not all applications are expected to be at the upper limit and applications for smaller scale projects will be accepted.  Higher levels of funding may be considered in exceptional circumstances.  In these instances, the scope and objectives of the project, as well as the requesting organisation’s demonstrated history to manage projects and acquit funds, will be considered in making this assessment.  

DAP projects should be designed to benefit the whole community and must always respect human rights and gender equity as well as being environmentally sound.

Assessment

Proposals will be assessed by the DAP Committee on the basis of:

  • conformity with the objectives and guidelines of the DAP;
  • the costs and developmental benefits of the application;
  • the appropriateness of the expenditure proposed;
  • ability to manage risks;
  • achievable and sustainable outcomes; and
  • soundness of the project’s objectives and design.

Project Implementation

All projects should be completed within a year of receiving funds.  Funded projects must proceed expeditiously.  Where the commencement of a project is delayed by more than three months, the Australian High Commission may, at its discretion, require the return of the entire amount of the DAP grant.

Interim progress report:  For projects lasting longer than six months, an interim progress report is due to the Australian High Commission, six months after the funding contract is signed.  The purpose of the report is to provide the Australian High Commission an update of the implementation and progress of the project.  

Project Completion: Within 30 days of the completion of the project, a Financial/Final Acquittal should be submitted to the Australian High Commission in Funafuti. For projects completed within six months after the funding contract is signed, a Final Acquittal Report alone will suffice.

Acquittal Procedure

Acquittal Reports must:

  • acquit all DAP funds provided;
  • demonstrate the project’s progress and benefits;
  • conform with the format provided;
  • comply with deadlines in the DAP contract;
  • return any unspent funds to the Australian High Commission; and

provide copies of all receipts.

In exceptional circumstances, the Australian High Commission may approve prior written requests to reallocate unspent funds to a related project if said project is within the timeframe of the signed contract.

Media

Publicity for approved projects must be cleared with the Australian High Commission, Funafuti. Where possible, any media release is to be cleared with the Australian High Commission before releasing to local media.

Suitable recognition must be given to the Government of Australia for any publicity activity. All projects must reference the Australian Aid identifier (logo) which can be found here:   https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/corporate/Pages/logos-and-style-guides

Application Process

Applications for the Australian High Commission’s Tuvalu DAP program for 2021-22 round will be open from Tuesday, 13 July, to Tuesday, 27 July 2021. We will not be able to accept applications outside these timeframes.

 

  1. Read these DAP Guidelines to ensure that your application meets funding eligibility.
  2. Complete the application form online, through Smarty Grants; https://dap.smartygrants.com.au/TuvaluDAP21-22. 

    NOTE: Paper based applications are not available. If you are having problems accessing the internet, please let us know and we’ll try to find a solution.

  3. Include an itemized budget and pro forma invoices for goods and services. 
  4. For proposals of a technical nature, attach an appraisal from a technically qualified authority.  

All questions must be answered or the proposal will not be considered for funding.

Any questions, please contact the Australian High Commission in Funafuti by phone on 20043 or by email, [email protected].

Instructions - On line application

All applications must be accompanied by a fully costed project budget.

Notes:

  1. DAP building and construction related projects should meet or exceed Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) standards wherever reasonably practicable to do so. Departure from Australian WHS standards on the basis that meeting such standards is not “reasonably practicable” will only be accepted where it is defensible to do so, supported by a clear, persuasive and documented explanation. In such cases, the project should meet the highest standard that is reasonably practicable, with hazard mitigation measures supported by a hazard identification and risk assessment report identifying the residual risks of injury and illness to any workers or third parties, and proposed mitigation strategy.
  2. If the project involves working with children, the organisation must have a current child protection policy or code of conduct to be eligible. See the AHC staff at the office for an example Child Protection Code of Conduct.
  3. Recipients of DAP funding must ensure that no support or resources are provided to any entity subject to sanctions by the United Nations Security Council or the Australian Government.
  4. Recipients of DAP funding must ensure that the work conducted in relation to this project is undertaken in a safe manner and complies with all applicable local laws, standards and policies that relate to health and safety.

 

If you would like more information about DAP, or are having difficulty accessing the forms, please contact [email protected]

Please note that due to the competitive nature of the DAP and the high number of quality applications received, not all applicants will receive funding.