Press Release 2024 - Direct Aid Program are open

Applications for the 2024-2025 Direct Aid Program are now open

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a flexible, small grants scheme funded by the Australian Government and managed by the Australian Embassy in Thailand. Through DAP, we fund projects that provide direct benefits to those most in need in the local Thai community, including vulnerable or disadvantaged groups.

DAP funding is available to not-for-profit individuals, community groups, non-government organisations (NGOs) and other entities engaged in development activities in Thailand.

DAP projects should be aimed primarily at achieving practical and tangible outcomes, such as promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s safety; mitigating the impacts of climate change and protecting the environment; supporting people with disabilities; improving community health; and supporting schools and education.

We welcome projects from across Thailand, and particularly encourage applications from rural communities. We are also interested in projects which deliver long-term impacts, such as through capacity building of organisations, training workshops, or developing systems management tools or databases to help community organisations function more effectively.

Amount of funding

The majority of successfully funded DAP projects fall between the range of AUD4,000 to AUD24,000 (THB100,000 to THB500,000). In exceptional circumstances we can fund projects up to AUD35,000 (THB800,000). However, we prefer to be able to support a wide range of projects across Thailand, therefore projects under AUD24,000 (THB500,000) are considered favourably.

For further information on the Australian Government Direct Aid Program, please see https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/direct-aid-program/direct-aid-program

How can we apply?

Applications will close at 8pm (ICT) on Friday 4 October 2024.

All DAP applications must be submitted through our online grants management system Smarty Grants.

Apply here: follow the link to begin your application process.

The Direct Aid Program in Thailand focuses on:

capacity building in the areas of governance, decentralisation and human rights (e.g. holding workshops to advise people of their rights within the domestic legal system);
promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s safety (e.g. supporting a program to combat domestic violence);
improving community health (e.g. delivering a mobile health clinic to a remote area; mental health care training for social workers; delivering a training program for telephone first responder staff);
protecting the environment and supporting inclusive, green growth, including strengthening institutions and promoting rural development (e.g. supporting the use of renewable energy at a school by turning organic waste into an energy source);
supporting schools or education (e.g. English phonics training for primary school teachers; delivery of water safety and drowning prevention program);
supporting people with a disability to access the same opportunities as others (e.g. vocational training for people with disabilities and their families; constructing wheelchair access ramps in a rural school); and
improving small-scale infrastructure (e.g. constructing check-dams to increase potable water supply in remote villages).

To be eligible, projects must:

qualify as Official Development Assistance (ODA) and not be commercial in nature;
have tangible humanitarian or development outcomes, and/or make a practical contribution to building the capacity of recipients in a relevant sector;
produce results that will last beyond the end of the project, with any recurrent costs being met through other non-DAP funding;
involve a demonstrated commitment by the local community;
be technically feasible and able to be implemented within the agreed timeframe;
have limited staffing and/or administration costs;
have the capacity to meet accountability requirements, including progress reports and acquittal of funds;
implement appropriate child protection, fraud control, anti-corruption, environmental protection and workplace health and safety measures;
not directly or indirectly support terrorist groups or sanctioned entities; and
appropriately acknowledge Australia’s contribution.

Proposals must include details about project scope, beneficiaries, activity descriptions, cost estimates, outputs, a realistic timeframe and clear results. Please ensure you complete all questions relevant to your proposal.

Applicants must state if they have 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.

Projects are usually required to finish by end-June 2025. This deadline can be extended if there is a good reason, and the DAP Committee gives approval.

DAP will usually not fund:

running costs and administrative expenses (e.g. staff salaries, office rental and utility costs, spare parts, office supplies, routine maintenance and repairs);
salaries or fees for consultants and advisors, where they are a large part of total costs;
any project using asbestos in its construction;
micro-finance projects or micro-credit schemes;
academic research;
sponsorship of major sporting tournaments or cultural displays that do not have a clear development benefit;
commercial ventures (unless it can be demonstrated that any profits flow to the community as a whole or will be reinvested in the community project);
Australian or overseas study tours

Selection process:

The Embassy’s DAP Committee selects projects annually based on the online applications. When assessing applications, the DAP Committee will consider whether:

the project is eligible to receive DAP funding
the project is in a priority sector
there is local participation in the initiative and a clear need for support;
the applicant can successfully carry out the project, including meeting expenditure and reporting deadlines;
the applicant is aware of any risks and has strategies to address them.

As part of the application process, applicants are required to submit details of two referees. A referee should be a credible individual from outside your organisation who is familiar with the applying organisation and can vouch for you and your work. Referees may be contacted to discuss the applications.

The 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.

Should your project be successful, you will be required to:

sign a contract specifying the terms and conditions of the grant;
follow all due diligence requirements of the Australian Embassy, Thailand;
keep full financial records of all expenditure, including receipts;
submit final project completion report using the Smarty Grants website; and
strictly adhere to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Child Protection Policies while implementing the project.

Partner obligations

Recipients of DAP funding must ensure that the work conducted in relation to the project is undertaken in a safe manner and complies with all applicable local laws, standards and policies that relate to health and safety.
DFAT does not tolerate the exploitation, abuse or harassment of children or adults. For projects likely to involve contact with vulnerable people, the applicant must comply with DFAT’s Child Protection Policy and/or Preventing Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) Policy. DAP recipients are expected to apply an appropriate policy commensurate with the level of risk associated with the activity and their organisation. Recipients will be asked to demonstrate that they have a Child Protection and/or PSEAH policy or other documented policies and procedures, including, reporting and investigation procedures to manage these risks.
DFAT is fully committed to full implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions relating to sanctions, including United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) and related resolutions against the financing of terrorism. Consistent with applicable Australian laws, the Australian Embassy, Thailand seeks to take reasonable precautions, and to exercise due diligence, to ensure that none of its funds are provided, directly or indirectly, to individuals or entities designated by the UN Security Council, its committees or the Australian Government for targeted financial sanctions, or otherwise used to provide support to individuals or entities associated with terrorism.

Further Information

Tel: (02) 344 378 (English) or (02) 344-6362 (Thai - ภาษาไทย)

Email: [email protected]