Australian Embassy
The Philippines

Direct Aid Program

2022 Direct Aid Program (DAP) Call for Proposals

The Direct Aid Program is a flexible small grants scheme funded by the Australian Government and administered by the Australian Embassy in the Philippines. The Embassy is pleased to announce a call for proposals for DAP for the 2022-23 financial year. 

Amount and Timeline
Under the program, grants are provided to projects that can demonstrate direct benefits to local communities. Grants of up to PhP1 million per approved project will be provided with a 6–12-month implementation period. Approved projects are expected to commence implementation immediately.

Eligibility for Funding
The DAP grant is open to NGOs and community organisations engaged in development work in the Philippines that are primarily managed by Filipinos and registered with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), the Cooperative Development Authority, or the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Priority Sectors
The proposed project/activities should prioritise the participation and respond to the needs of the following sectors:

  • disadvantaged children and women
  • people with disabilities
  • indigenous peoples
  • the elderly
  • displaced peoples due to conflict and natural calamities
  • members of the LGBTQI community
  • the poorest, and
  • the environment

Priority Activities
The DAP will continue to support activities that align with Australia and Philippine governments objectives to promote prosperity, stability, and resilience. It will prioritise the following activities for funding:

  • income generation and sustainable livelihoods to help people participate in economic activities
  • promoting access of marginalized groups to nutritious, safe, and sustainable food supply
  • promoting access of vulnerable groups to social services
  • provision of community water and sanitation facilities to promote hygiene and prevent disease outbreaks
  • promoting climate change resilience including innovative and equitable use of renewable resources (wind, water, and sun) for community-based irrigation and power generation
  • supporting the adoption of new normal ways of doing business (e.g., digitalization) to increase competitiveness of small and micro enterprises operated and managed by vulnerable groups
  • preservation of cultural heritage

The DAP will strongly support projects that address cross-sectoral needs and those that meet multi-sectoral objectives.

Assessment Criteria
Successful proposals must meet the following criteria:

  • have a development focus and benefit the local community. Priority is given to innovative and creative projects that might act as catalyst for further development in the community
  • directly meet specific needs of vulnerable groups
  • have tangible results by the end of the implementation period
  • there is a commitment on the part of the local community to implement the activities and sustain them
  • provide substantial counterpart contribution, such as the resources of the proponent and the community either in the form of labour, technical support, administrative cost, materials, existing assets, or cash. There should be evidence of capacity to sustain recurrent costs associated with the project
  • appropriate institutional arrangements are in place through the proponent organization, local government and/or the local community
  • the proponent can demonstrate that it can provide accurate project reports in a timely manner, and
  • integrate gender, child protection, social inclusion, and environmentally sound practices in project implementation.

Items not Eligible for Funding
Generally, the following items are not funded:

  • salaries of permanent staff of the implementing organization
  • fees for consultants and advisors, where they constitute a major cost component
  • grant programs run by other government organisations
  • micro-credit schemes or any other project that involves return of money or loans for cash
  • administrative costs not directly related to project implementation
  • international travel as part of the project
  • purchase or rental or property or land
  • purchase of vehicles
  • routine, recurring, and/or running costs including office rent, electricity, water, phone/internet subscription
  • routine maintenance and repairs (including equipment such as photocopiers, computers, stoves, fridges, etc.)
  • commercial ventures (for profit).

Child Protection
If the project involves working with children, the organization must submit a current Child Protection Policy to be eligible for funding.

Submission Details
Please submit proposals following the prescribed format via email no later than 30 September 2022 to:

The Secretariat
Direct Aid Program (DAP) Manila
Australian Embassy in the Philippines   
Level 23 Tower 2 RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Email: [email protected]

Please click here to download a copy (in word file) of the DAP project proposal format.

Please make sure application and attachments are not more than 10MB to ensure DAP receives your application.

 

*Notes

The DAP will only contact shortlisted organisations for further information, if necessary.

The DAP will notify applicants of the outcome of the application round but will not provide feedback on individual application.

 

References (links to Related to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Policies and Strategies)