Sep 14, Australian Embassy in Lisbon Direct Aid Program

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program funded by the Australian Government and managed through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

DAP supports local community efforts to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. DAP projects engage a wide range of partners including community groups, non-government organisations, educational institutions, health facilities and local governments.

DAP projects cover a range of sectors such as education, health, water and sanitation, environmental protection and blue economy, women’s empowerment and gender equality, supporting people with disabilities, economic livelihoods, digital initiatives, food security and human rights. Through helping people in need, Australia demonstrates that it is a supportive and trusted partner in addressing global aid challenges in partner countries.

Who can apply?

The Australian Embassy in Lisbon supports DAP projects in Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe.

DAP funding is available on a not-for-profit basis to community groups, NGOs and other entities engaged in development activities.

What activities are eligible for DAP Support?

DAP activities should aim to achieve practical and tangible outcomes of high development impact.

Projects should be self-contained, with finite timelines. Except in exceptional circumstances and only with prior approval, the DAP projects may run for up to one year and should be self-sustainable beyond the term of the grant. Organisations with existing DAP grants are not eligible to apply.

We will generally NOT fund the following:

Cash grants or micro-credit schemes or projects that involve the return of money

Commercial ventures

Purchase of major assets, e.g. vehicles

Australian or overseas study tours

International travel (allowed in exceptional cases only if integral to project outputs)

Sponsorship of major sporting tournaments or cultural displays that do not have a clear developmental benefit

Staff salaries with an exception to stipends/training or consultation fee paid specifically for a project activity

construction activities

Routine, recurring or running costs and administrative expenses including office rental and utility costs, spare parts, routine maintenance.

Applicants are encouraged to co-contribute to the project for better advocacy and accountability and only 5 per cent of the total DAP budget can be used for administrative expenses.

Funding and timeframes

Grants are typically provided up to EUR 15,000.00. The majority of grant funding must be used to cover the direct project expenses (excluding staff salaries). Funding recipients must meet some of the project costs from their own funds or in-kind support.

Expectations for accountability, transparency and reporting

We require a high degree of transparency and accountability in all projects. Applications must demonstrate that the risk of wastage, administration costs and other costs not delivering direct benefit to the target community will be minimised.

Should your project be successful, you will be required to:

Sign a contract specifying the terms and Konditions of the grant

Follow all due diligence requirements of the Embassy including providing reference details

Keep full financial records of all expenditure, including receipts

Submit a progress report within six months of receiving your funding

Submit a final report at the project’s completion

Allow and facilitate a visit by Australian Embassy representatives to the project site, where safe to do so.

Assessment of Applications

Projects must be clearly defined with specific outputs. Applications will be approved or rejected on the basis of:

The costs and the development benefits of the project

Achievable and sustainable outcomes

Soundness of the project’s objectives and design

The practicability of the proposed implementation arrangements

Whether the project conforms with the objectives of the Direct Aid Program, and

Compliance with domestic rules and policies regarding foreign funding.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; Australian Embassy in Lisbon Direct Aid Program

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