Australian High Commission Suva - Direct Aid Program

 

The Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants
program funded by the Australian Government. The program aims to support
small-scale projects with a strong development focus that complement Australia’s
broader aid program. The Australian High Commission targets self-sustaining projects (i.e. those that do not require on-going funding) that will produce a long-lasting benefit to those most at need. Special attention is given to projects targeting the poor, the physically or mentally disabled, those living in rural areas, women, young people and the environment.

DAP funding is only available to community groups, NGOs and other organisations engaged in development activities on a not-for-profit basis. Although there is no set minimum or maximum amount a single project can receive, funding for most projects falls between FJD 2,000 – 15,000.

We will generally not fund the following:

- Community halls and associated equipment;
- Building of churches, schools;
- Computers, digital cameras and other kinds of electronic equipment;
- Commercial ventures such as tourism or hospitality projects
- Requests from individuals and individual families;
- Cars, boats, trucks, engines and related machinery;
- Brush-cutters, farming tools, chemicals;
- Miscellaneous costs incurred e.g. food, labour, travel costs or accommodation
- Spare parts, supplies, ongoing maintenance/repairs for buildings, machines etc;
- We do not provide cash grants

Application questions

We recommend that you use the DAP Application Form to request DAP funds. If you choose not to, however, the following information must be provided as a minimum requirement for a project to be considered by the DAP Committee:

1. Name of the project
2. Name and title of the person seeking financial assistance and their organisation
3. Location of the project and postal address
4. Contact telephone number
5. Brief description of the project, including its duration
6. Description of the problem or issue the project addresses
7. Statement of the specific objectives of the project
8. Statement of who and how many people will benefit from the project
9. Description of the impact the project is anticipated to have, particularly on women, disadvantaged groups and/or the environment
10. Details of funds applied for or secured from any other source
11. Cost of the project, including your contribution and the amount sought from DAP
12. Budget and timeline outlining the way in which the funds will be spent
13. A genuine, detailed quotation(s) from a recognised supplier
14. If available, references or referee details

Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be informed in writing as soon as possible after a decision has been made.

Acquittal of funds and project reporting

If your project application is approved, the DAP Committee will provide you (by mail or in person) with a cheque made out to either your organisation or the supplier of goods and services for your project (at our discretion). The funds must be acquitted as soon as possible after they have been spent and the project has been completed by sending a completed acquittal report form, all receipts and any photographs available to the Australian High Commission. This must be done by 1 June 2012. Unless the DAP committee judges that exceptional circumstances have arisen, failure to properly acquit funds and report on the project by this date may result in the withdrawal of funds and/or refusal to consider applications from your organisation in the future.

Contact

Ms Luisa Senibulu
DAP Committee
Australian High Commission
PO Box 214
SUVA
Ph: (+679) 3388 304
Fax: (+679) 3382 065
Email: Luisa.Senibuludfat.gov.au