Australia High Commission Tuvalu is seeking applications for its Direct Aid Program (DAP) 2020-21 to support small-scale projects with a strong development focus that complement Australia’s broader aid program.

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

Funding Information

• Applicants can apply for a maximum of AUD10,000 over the life of the project.

Eligible Activities

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;
• that pursue innovative approaches, projects and partners;
• 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

Ineligible Projects

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.

Eligibility Criteria

• 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.

For more information, visit Direct Aid Program.