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Direct Aid Program (DAP)

DIRECT AID PROGRAM GUIDELINES

We are now accepting applications for the 2010-11 Direct Aid Program for India and Bhutan.

Applications will be accepted from 1 - 31 August 2010 and should be submitted in hard copy to the Australian High Commission. An application form and further details are available below.

The Oz Haat Charity Mela was held on 5 December 2009. The next Oz Haat will be held later in 2010.
 

Australian Prime Minister the Hon Julia Gillard MP interacts with women and children supported by ASHA, New Delhi. Ms Gillard visited India in August 2009. 

Oz Haat 2008: A DAP funded exhibition and sale in support of Indian NGOs, held annually at the Australian High Commission

DIRECT AID PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Under the Direct Aid Program (DAP) the Australian High Commission supports small-scale sustainable development projects in India and Bhutan.

The focus of DAP is on activities that alleviate poverty and contribute to developmental outcomes. There is a particular focus on addressing the needs of women, children, and other disadvantaged groups.

Since 2001, DAP has funded more than 145 projects in India and five in Bhutan, distributing total funding of more than 1.25 million Australian dollars (approximately five crore rupees).

Examples of projects funded by DAP in the past include the purchase of Braille machines, installation of sanitation and water management facilities, education classes and health care services.
 

For more information on DAP, please see: http://www.dfat.gov.au/direct_aid_program/dap_guidelines.html

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.

Indian organisations seeking assistance must be registered and have the approval of the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) to receive funds from a foreign source.

Bhutanese organisations must be registered with the Civil Society Organizations Authority in order to apply. Where a Bhutanese government agency wishes to apply they should do so through the Gross National Happiness Commission.
 

How much is available?

For organisations working with us for the first time we provide grants of up to 4,50,000 rupees or ngultrum. Organisations which have previously received DAP funding may request up to 10,00,000 rupees or ngultrum.

We encourage partner organisations to meet some of the project costs with their own funds or in-kind support.
 

How long can the project run?

DAP is a one time grant for a project taking one year or less to implement. The project should be self-contained with no ongoing costs that cannot be met by the organisation.

Organisations can apply for funding again in subsequent years.
 

What can DAP pay for?

DAP is designed to support small-scale development activities in India and Bhutan. There must be a demonstrable benefit to a disadvantaged group for your project to be suitable.

We prefer to provide funding for capital goods although we will also consider well targeted and well designed vocational and literacy programs.

Funds can be used for:

- community health (for example the purchase of equipment)
- education programs (for example the purchase of books or school equipment, including braille machines)
- small-scale infrastructure (such as building wells or irrigation facilities)
- environmental programs with a development aim (for example solar lighting, water harvesting)
- preservation of culture with a developmental link (ie. preservation of documents, artefacts, historical sites)
- sporting programs with a developmental link
- in exceptional circumstances, skills transfer through conferences or training workshops

Our target beneficiaries are:

- women
- children and youth
- other disadvantaged groups
Projects must have a clearly defined purpose, provide a step-by-step program, and a detailed budget for each activity. Assistance cannot be given to activities without a clear design and description of costs and proposed expenditure.
 

What can’t DAP pay for?

DAP funds cannot be used to fund micro credit schemes or any project that involves the return of money by beneficiaries.

We cannot pay for the purchase of major assets such as land or vehicles.
We cannot cover general organisation administrative costs such as electricity bills or office rental. Salary, honorarium, and administrative costs for the project should be kept to a minimum.

We do not generally fund awareness raising or human rights focused projects.
Funds can only be utilised for purposes 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 to apply?

You must submit your application in hard-copy to the Australian High Commission at the mailing address below answering all the questions on the application check list below.

Applications which are faxed or emailed will not be accepted.

The mailing address is:
DAP Coordinator
Australian High Commisson
1/50G Shantipath
Chanakyapuri New Delhi 110 021

Please note you must include the names of three referees in your application. If you are selected for funding we will verify your credentials with your referees so we ask that they be people who have funded you in the past.

How long will it take to get an answer?

Please allow 10 – 12 weeks to process a proposal, after which the Australian High Commission will inform you of their decision.
 

If you are successful:

Should you be successful in your application for DAP funding you will be required to:

- sign a contract setting out your obligations
- keep full financial records of all expenditure, including receipts
- submit one or two progress reports. The first report must be submitted within six months of receiving the funding. If the project is not completed within six months a second report must be submitted on completion and within twelve months of receiving the funding.
If you do not submit your records you will not be eligible for further DAP funding in the future.
 

Other important information:

The project should be identifiable as being sponsored by the Australian Government – you must let us know how you intended to meet this requirement. A small amount of funding may be requested to help badge your program as Australian funded ie 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.
 

REQUIRED DETAILS FOR A DAP APPLICATION
(your application should not exceed 5 – 10 pages)

 PART ONE : ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

1. Name of the organisation

2. Who should we contact in your organisation? Please provide address / telephone / fax / email contact details

3. Registration number.
Attach an authorised copy of the registration of your organisation.

4. FCRA registration number (for Indian Applications)
Attach an authorised copy of the FCRA registration of your organisation.

5. Background information about the organisation (not more than 100 words - attach brochure or web address if available)
You should let us know:
- when you were founded
- what your main purpose is
- who you help

6. List the number of staff ( full time / part time / volunteers)

7. Please use the table below to list all the projects you implemented in the last 3 years and which are ongoing. You should highlight any previous funding from the Australian Government.

Please be sure to provide full contact information for the funding organisations as we may use this information to check your references before approving any funding. Without two or three positive references a proposal will not be funded.

PART TWO : DAP PROJECT PROPOSAL

1. Name of the project

2. Location of project including village and state details.

3. Summary of the project activity
- what will the project achieve (project aim)
- how will you carry out the project (methodology for implementation). Please provide detail.

4. Project duration (should not be more than 12 months).
If the project is in multiple parts, please include a timeline of your activities.

5. Details of the target group.
- how many people will benefit?
- who are they and how will they be selected?
- what will be the long term benefit of the project for them?
- if necessary, how will they travel to the project site (ie. training centre).
- if necessary, what accommodation will be provided for the beneficiaries during training?

6. Sustainability
- what will be the long-term benefit of the program?
- will the program continue after the funding period is over?
- can you see any future costs ? if so, how will these be met?

7. Monitoring procedures.
- how will you monitor the success of this project?
- what will there be to show as an outcome of the project when the funding is spent?

8. Other Partners
Has the proposal been sent to any other funding organisations? If so, please provide their contact details.

9. How will this project be identified as sponsored by the Australian Government?
 

PART THREE : BUDGET DETAILS

1. Please provide a detailed budget using the table below as a guide:

PART FOUR : DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

1. Copy of registration
2. Copy of FCRA (for Indian Applications)
3. Financial Audited statement for the last 2 financial years

The application will not be processed if the required documentation is not included

Applications should be submitted only during the application period. It must be provided in hard copy to:

DAP Coordinator
Australian High Commission
1/50G Shantipath
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110 021

All subsequent correspondence relating to DAP matters, including as to the status of projects, should be through this email address: newdelhidap@dfat.gov.au

Note – do not send project applications by email or by fax. They will not be considered.