Frequently asked questions
Direct Aid Program 2017-18
Australian Embassy, Thailand
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a flexible small grants program funded from Australia’s aid budget and managed through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s overseas posts. DAP advances developmental outcomes in Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries with projects primarily focused on practical and tangible results.
A guiding principle of DAP in Thailand is that projects should have a tangible humanitarian or developmental outcome and/or make a practical contribution to building the capacity of recipients in a relevant and appropriate ODA-eligible sector. Innovative proposals are encouraged.
1. Eligibility for funding
1.1. Who can apply?
Funding is available on a not-for-profit basis to individuals, organisations and community groups engaged in development activities in Thailand. Applications cannot be accepted from commercial operations.
1.2. Which areas are funded?
Complementing the Royal Thai Government’s efforts through its 12th National Social and Economic Development Plan 2017-21 and in line with Australia’s aid strategy[1] and DAP policy[2], the DAP Program in Thailand will focus on the following objectives in 2017-18:
a. improving community health (e.g. through delivering a mobile health clinic to a remote area);*
b. supporting schools/education (e.g. by supplying additional books to a school library);*
c. improving small-scale infrastructure (e.g. by constructing check-dams to increase potable water supply in remote villages);*
d. promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment (e.g. by renovating a classroom and constructing toilets in a girls’ school);*
e. supporting people with disability to access the same opportunities as others (e.g. by constructing wheelchair access ramps in a rural school);*
f. supporting inclusive, green growth, including strengthening institutions and promoting rural development (e.g. by renovating a library and community learning centre for a rural community);*
g. responding to humanitarian disasters (e.g. through the provision of small-scale basic flood relief supplies);*
h. protecting the environment (e.g. by supporting the use of renewable energy at a school by turning organic waste into renewable energy);*
i. capacity building in the areas of governance, decentralisation and human rights (e.g. by holding workshops to advise of rights within the domestic legal system).*
Applications for projects in other areas are still eligible to apply, but may be given a lower priority when deciding which applications should be funded.
1.3. What activities are funded?
DAP projects must have a tangible humanitarian or developmental outcome and/or make a practical contribution to building the capacity of recipients in a relevant and appropriate ODA-eligible sector.
Activities should be capable of implementation before the end of May 2018. In extraordinary circumstances, where compelling justification can be made at the time of applying for the grant, the DAP Committee may consider funding projects up to two years in duration (i.e. to be completed by May 2019).
To be eligible, all projects must:
a. qualify as Official Development Assistance (ODA)[3];
b. demonstrate practical and tangible humanitarian or development outcomes, and/or make a practical contribution to building the capacity of recipients in a relevant sector;
c. directly assist a target group;
d. demonstrate results will be sustained beyond the end of the project, including showing how any recurrent costs will be met by mobilising resources other than DAP;
e. involve a demonstrated commitment by the local community;
f. be technically feasible;
g. undertake to and be capable of implementing appropriate child protection, fraud control, anti-corruption, environmental protection and workplace health and safety measures;
h. be able to be implemented within the agreed time-frame, specifically one financial year unless special dispensation is granted to allow for delivery over two years;
i. have limited staffing and/or administration costs;
j. not be commercial in nature;
k. have the capacity to meet accountability requirements, including progress reports and acquittal of funds;
l. preclude support, directly or indirectly to terrorist groups or sanctioned entities[4];
m. provide for Australia’s contribution to be appropriately acknowledged;
n. align with Australia’s aid and foreign policy objectives.
As a general rule, the following activities will not be funded:
a. routine, recurring running costs and administrative expenses (e.g. staff salaries, office rental and utility costs, spare parts, office supplies, routine maintenance and repairs);
b. payment of salaries or fees for consultants and advisors, where they constitute a major cost component;
c. any project using asbestos in its construction;
d. micro-finance projects or micro-credit schemes that involve the beneficiaries returning money to the facilitating organisation for re-allocation, or
e. commercial ventures (unless any profits flow to the community as a whole or will be reinvested in the community project).
1.4. What amount can be funded?
The vast bulk of successfully funded DAP projects fall between the range of AUD4,000 to AUD30,000 (THB100,000 to THB750,000). In exceptional circumstances we can fund projects up to AUD60,000 (THB1.5 million). However, we prefer to be able to support as many projects as possible, thus projects under AUD30,000 (THB750,000) are considered favourably.
2. Project proposals: Where and when to apply?
Please apply online using Smarty Grants:
Thai: https://dap.smartygrants.com.au/Bangkok2017Thai
English: https://dap.smartygrants.com.au/Bangkok2017English
Project proposals must be received by Friday 13 October 2017.
Proposals must be clearly defined: with details provided of project scope, beneficiaries, activity descriptions, cost estimates, outputs, a realistic timeframe and clear results. The online proposal has questions seeking information on all information required. Please ensure you complete all questions relevant to your proposal.
If the applicant has sought support from other possible funding sources for the proposed activity, or if the proposed activity is being implemented in conjunction with activities funded through other sources, this must be stated in the application.
3. Selection Process
The Australian Embassy Bangkok DAP Committee conducts an annual selection round. It is responsible for assessing all project applications, including in consultation with DFAT Canberra, where required.
Committee assessments are made primarily on the basis of the supporting information supplied by applicants, including two written references. A reference should be a credible external individual familiar with the organisation who can vouch for you and your work. The purpose of the references is for us to independently check on the credibility of the applicants, and their capability to implement and acquit the projects which they propose. Referees may be contacted to discuss the applications. Please use the reference template provided during the online application process.
When assessing applications, the DAP Committee will consider factors such as whether they:
· meet the eligibility requirements of DAP (as outlined in section 1.3 above)
· fall within priority sectors (see section 1.2 above)
· demonstrate strong, local-ownership of the initiative and a clear need for support;
· have the capacity to successfully carry out the project, including meeting expenditure and reporting deadlines;
· demonstrate a clear understanding of risks and identify robust strategies to address them.
The Embassy’s DAP Committee will advise all applicants in writing as to whether their project has been successful or unsuccessful as soon as possible after the completion of the selection round. Typically, this will be within two months of the selection round closing.
Due to the continuing strong interest in the DAP program, only a small number of proposals will be successful in being offered funding. Unsuccessful applicants may seek feedback on their applications from the DAP Committee by emailing .
4. Accountability for funding
The Australian Embassy will provide funding to successful applicants following their acceptance to the terms of a grant agreement outlining the responsibilities of recipients.
If the agreed terms and conditions of the grant are not met, DAP recipients may be required to repay the grant to the Australian Embassy.
All project recipients are required to provide accurate reports on their projects. This includes an acquittal report due in May 2018 at the completion of the projects. An interim report is also required in May 2018 for projects that have an approved delivery period of more than one year. Acquittal reports should be completed online using the SmartyGrants system and should provide an accurate assessment of the tangible outcomes achieved, as well as evidence of expenditure.
5. Contact for queries
Australian Embassy, Bangkok
Tel: (02) 344 371 (English) or (02) 344-6362 (Thai ภาษาไทย)
Email:
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[1] http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/australian-aid-promoting-prosperity-reducing-poverty-enhancing-stability.aspx
[2] http://dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/direct-aid-program/Pages/direct-aid-program.aspx
* Please note these are examples only and applications should not be limited to the examples given.
[3] see criteria at “is it ODA?’ factsheet at https://www.oecd.org/dac/stats/34086975.pdf
[4] As identified in http://dfat.gov.au/international-relations/security/sanctions/pages/consolidated-list.aspx#list; https://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/default.aspx