Australian Consulate-General
Mumbai, India

Direct Aid Program (DAP)

Rejected

Direct Aid Program (DAP)

Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) provides small grants for activities that support development and strengthen communities in India. It also builds linkages between Australia and communities in India.

The Consulate General in Mumbai, supports small-scale, sustainable development projects in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa with grants typically up to 10 lakh INR.

Below are some examples of past projects funded by the Australian Consulate General in Mumbai:

Sanjeevani Institute for Empowerment and Development (SIED)
To secure protective irrigation water for orchards and agriculture in rain-fed areas of Tribal dominant Sakri block of Dhule district in Maharashtra, the Consulate General provided SIED with a DAP grant in 2013-14. This centre will directly impact approximately 230 farmers and their families who will access protective irrigation. The project will also help to recharge the ground water, provide higher incomes from improved agricultural production, decrease migration to urban areas, reduce workloads and provide a better quality of life for local farmers.

Apnalaya
The Australian Consulate General Mumbai provided funding to add to the infrastructure and equipment requirements of Apnalaya, an NGO that works in one of the large slums in Mumbai. The project aims to help the community overcome social, political and economic barriers to access these basic amenities.

Shikshan Ane Samaj Kalyan Kendra
The Australian Consulate General funded a micro irrigation system to decrease salinity in Amreli, Gujarat. The project benefited 90 farmers and their families directly and increased productivity and yield, providing better living conditions to poor farmers.

What sort of projects do we fund?

We welcome high quality applications that will support development and strengthen communities in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, across all sectors. Regardless of the type of project, all applicants should consider the impact of the project on women, children or other disadvantaged groups, such as people with disabilities.

The proposal should contain measurable performance indicators. Projects should be self-sustainable. Applications should demonstrate a commitment on the part of local authorities and/or beneficiaries to implement and sustain the project beyond the term of the grant. You must demonstrate the ability to meet ongoing costs of the project or program after the term of the grant.

Recipients of DAP funds are expected to make a reasonable contribution of their own to the activity in either cash and/or kind. The type and level of contribution must be indicated in the project proposal.

Who is eligible to apply?

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

For project proposals in India: To receive a DAP grant, all organisations must have current Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) approval.

What funds are available and how can they be used?

Grants are typically provided up to a maximum of Rs 10 Lakh and at least 90 percent of the value of the grant must directly benefit the target community. Grant funds cannot be used to pay NGO staff salaries, and only a small margin (less than 10 percent) can be allocated to NGO running expenses. Partner organisations must meet some of the project costs with their own funds or in-kind support. Organisations are allowed to submit more than one project proposal in one funding round.

How long can the project run for?

A DAP grant must be fully expended within one year of receipt.

Expectations for accountability, transparency and reporting

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

Should you be successful, you will be required to:

  • Sign a contract with us specifying the terms and conditions of the grant
  • Provide an electronic copy of your application
  • Keep full financial records of all expenditure (including receipts)
  • Submit a progress report within six months of receiving your funding and
  • Submit a full financial report on completion of the project
  • Where possible, allow and facilitate a visit by Australian representatives to the project site

The completion and timeliness of this reporting is essential.

What DAP funds cannot be used for

DAP funds cannot be used to directly fund micro credit schemes. Grant funds cannot be used to fund salaries of NGO staff. Less than 10 percent of the grant can be used to cover administrative costs for the program, including for example, electricity bills or office rental. The funds can only be utilised for purposes agreed upon by the DAP grant recipient and us. If your project changes as it is implemented any reallocation of grant funds must be submitted to the respective DAP Committee for re-approval. Unused funds must be returned at the end of the project. No additional funds will be provided for the same project year on year. Building or construction related projects should meet Australian standards. Asbestos must not be used as a building or construction material.

How can we apply?

You must submit your application in writing to the Consulate, answering all the questions on the application form.

Should you be successful, you will be required to keep full financial records of all expenditure (including receipts), submit a progress report not more than six months after receiving your funding and submit a full financial report on completion of the project.

If the proposal is approved by the Australian Consulate, a contract will be signed specifying the terms and conditions.

In your application, please take time to:

  • Clearly explain the objectives of the project and who will benefit
  • Provide a clear description of how the project will be implemented
  • Detail what practical experience your organisation has in successfully implementing similar projects
  • Provide a clear, itemised budget of realistic and reasonable costs
  • Include contact details (including e-mail addresses) of referees and previous donors who can speak positively and knowledgably about your organisation
  • Explain how you will acknowledge the source of funding (you may allocate a small amount of funding to help badge your program as Australian Government funded, e.g. stamping donated books or media outreach

Hardcopy applications should be directed to the Australian Consulate General Mumbai:

Chairperson, Direct Aid Program
Level 10, A Wing
Crescenzo Building
Opp MCA Cricket Club
G Block, Plot C 38-39
Bandra Kurla Complex
Mumbai 400 051

Inquiries: [email protected]

Our target beneficiaries are:
- women
- children and youth
- people living with disabilities
- the rural and urban poor

How long will it take to get an answer?

Please allow four months for your application to be processed. The relevant DAP Committee will inform all applicants of their final decision.

Other important information:

Your application will be highly regarded if:

  • It uses the correct application form (available here)
  • Clearly explains the objectives of the project
  • Provides a clear, itemised budget of realistic costs
  • Clearly sets out who will benefit from the project
  • Is accompanied by contact details (including e-mail addresses) of referees and previous donors who can speak positively and knowledgably about your organisation.

The project should be identifiable as being sponsored by the Australian Government – you must let us know how you intend to meet this requirement. A small amount of funding may be requested to help badge your program as Australian funded i.e. by erecting a plaque, using stickers, or stamping books as donated by the Australian Government.

Direct Aid Program - Application Form 2015-16

 

The deadline for submitting projects is 10 July 2015