Direct Aid Program

2025 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 program aims to support projects with a strong development focus that complement Australia's broader aid program which contributes to sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. In the Philippines, DAP will support activities that align with the objectives of the Australia – Philippines Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029 to promote prosperity, stability, and resilience.

The Embassy is pleased to announce a call for proposals for DAP for the 2024-25 financial year.

The online application round is accessible at https://dap.smartygrants.com.au/Manila2024. Interested applicants need to log in to the system and register to complete and submit an application. The round will close on Friday 17 January 2025.

Who can apply?

The DAP is available on a not-for-profit basis to NGOs and community organisations engaged in development activities in the Philippines that are eligible for official development assistance (ODA) and primarily managed by Filipinos and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), 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 natural calamities
members of the LGBTQIA+ community
the poorest /most vulnerable groups, and,
the environment (particularly in the area of climate change adaptation and mitigation)

Amount and timeline

DAP provides grants of up to PhP1 million per approved project with a 6–10-month implementation period. Approved projects are expected to commence implementation immediately.

What activities are eligible for DAP support?

DAP activities should primarily be aimed at achieving immediate practical and tangible outcomes of high development impact, including capacity building programs in the areas of governance and human rights engagement.

The DAP will prioritise funding activities that:

promote climate change adaptation/mitigation and disaster resilience

promote inclusive access to and equitable use of renewable resources (wind, water, and sun) for community-based agricultural, water, and energy systems

create sustainable livelihoods and generate income to help marginalised groups, especially disadvantaged women, to participate in economic activities
provide accessible and inclusive community facilities for learning and occupational/skills training
promote access of marginalised groups to nutritious, safe, and sustainable food supply
provide sustainable small water and sanitation facilities to promote hygiene and prevent disease outbreaks
promote youth development through sporting activities, particularly empowering girls and women
promote environmental / biodiversity conservation
address gender equality, disability, and social inclusion a well as those that promote locally led solutions/innovations to development challenges

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

How are projects selected for funding?

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 catalyse further development in the community.
directly meet specific needs of vulnerable groups.
have achievable, practical, and tangible results by the end of the implementation period that are sustainable.
there is a commitment on the part of the local community to support the project and sustain them
proponent and partner communities provide substantial counterpart contribution/resources, 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 during implementation and beyond.
appropriate institutional arrangements are in place through the proponent organisation, partner community/people’s organisation, and partnership with the local government and the private sector.
proponent can demonstrate that it can provide reliable project reports in a timely manner, and
integrate gender, child protection, social inclusion, and environmentally sound practices in project implementation.

What items are not eligible for funding?

Generally, the following items are not funded:

salaries of permanent staff of the implementing organisation
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
Australian or overseas study tours
purchase or rental of property or land
purchase of vehicles
routine, recurring, and/or running costs including office rent, electricity, water, phone/internet subscriptions
routine maintenance and repairs (including equipment such as photocopiers, computers, stoves, fridges, etc)
commercial/for profit ventures
sponsorships of major sporting tournaments or cultural displays that do not have a clear developmental benefit

Submission Details

Please submit completed proposals via SmartyGrants no later than Friday 17 January 2025 (Philippine time).

For queries about the guidelines, deadline, or questions in the form, please email [email protected]. You may also call +63 2 7757 8262 during business hours.

Please note the DAP will only contact shortlisted organisations for further information, if necessary. Also, the DAP will notify applicants of the outcome of the application round but will not provide feedback on individual application.

Instructions

This form is to be completed by the applicant online. All applications must be accompanied by a fully costed project budget.

This application form should be read in conjunction with information on the Direct Aid Program available at -
https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/direct-aid-program/pages/direct-aid-program

Notes:

1. DAP building and construction related projects should meet or exceed Australian standards wherever reasonably practicable to do so. Departure from Australian WHS standards on the basis that meeting such standards is not “reasonably practicable” should only be accepted where it is defensible to do so, supported by a clear, persuasive, and documented explanation. In such cases, the project should meet the highest standard that is reasonably practicable, with hazard mitigation measures supported by a hazard identification and risk assessment report identifying the residual risks of injury and illness to any workers or third parties, and proposed mitigation strategy.

2. If the project involves working with children, the organisation must have a current child protection policy or code of conduct to be eligible. For information on child protection policy, see
https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/themes/child-protection/Pages/child-protection

3. Projects must play an active role in addressing the risk of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. For further information see Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

4. Australia’s International Development Policy - https://www.dfat.gov.au/publications/development/australias-international-development-policy

5. Australia’s International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEARS), launched in November 2024, outlines how we will harness our expertise and resources to tackle the challenges ahead and advance disability equity and rights now and into the future. Australia’s International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy: Advancing equity to transform lives

6. The Australia-Philippines Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029 (DPP) translates in to action the development priorities Australia shares with the Philippines. The DPP reflects the principles and priorities agreed in the Philippines-Australia Strategic Partnership and supports the priorities presented in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. https://www.dfat.gov.au/publications/development/australia-philippines-development-partnership-plan

7. Environmental and Social Safeguard Policy - https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/environmental-social-safeguard-policy

8. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Strategy - https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment-strategy

9. The Gender + climate outcomes handbook_FINAL_Dec 2024.pdf provides guidance on developing program outcomes that address the nexus of gender equality and climate change, and support meaningful and impactful participation of people with disabilities.

10. Recipients of DAP funding must ensure that no support or resources are provided to any entity subject to sanctions (by the United Nations Security Council or the Australian Government).

11. Recipients of DAP funding must ensure that the work conducted in relation to this project is undertaken in a safe manner and complies with all applicable local laws, standards and policies that relate to health and safety.