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Overview
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a flexible, small grants program funded by the Australian Government with the primary aim of addressing humanitarian hardship. DAP is available to individuals, community groups and NGOs engaged in development activities, on a not-for-profit basis. The program is aimed principally at supporting small-scale development projects/activities.
The Australian Embassy in Beijing is responsible for DAP in China and Mongolia. The DAP Committee receives and evaluates projects which are then submitted to the Ambassador for approval. DAP is separate from the much larger Australian development cooperation program in China, which the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) administers in consultation with the Chinese and Mongolian governments.
In selecting projects for DAP, preference is given to projects providing direct benefits to those most in need, including those addressing gender inequality, children and other disadvantaged groups, and to projects with environmental benefits.
The focus of DAP is on direct, practical, immediate impact. Activities funded by DAP should be implemented over a relatively short period of time (less than one year). Examples of areas where DAP grants may be given are: community health, education, small-scale infrastructure, sanitation, and rural development. In certain cases, consideration may be given to contributions to disaster relief operations and activities of cultural significance.
As a general rule, the following activities and inputs are not funded: ongoing costs, such as staff salaries, office rental and utility costs, spare parts, supplies, routine maintenance and repairs; conferences in-country; Australia or overseas study tours; academic training in Australia; and payment of salaries or fees for consultants and advisors. Consideration may at times be given to small-scale community activities that have prospects of eventually generating commercial benefits, where the community can demonstrate that proceeds from the activity will be reinvested in the project.