Direct Aid Program - Türkiye

 

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program funded from Australia's aid budget. It has the flexibility to work with local communities in Türkiye on projects that reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development consistent with Australia's national interest.

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The 2023-24 round is now closed for applications. All applicants have been advised of the outcome through the email addresses registered to our system. Thank you for your interest.
 

Opening Date:         12:00 hrs (GMT+3) on 9 August 2023

Closing Date:           12:00 hrs (GMT+3) on 28 August 2023


 

1. What is the Direct Aid Program?

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program funded from Australia's aid budget and managed by the Australian Embassy, Ankara. It has the flexibility to work with local communities on projects that achieve sustainable development consistent with Australia's national interest.

There is no minimum amount that a single DAP project can receive in Türkiye, but the maximum is AUD $10,000 (Australian dollars) over the life of the project. The Embassy will pay the AUD equivalent amount to grant recipients in USD. Embassy exchange rates will be used on the day the payment is made to grant recipients. All funds should be expended before 30 June 2024, but projects may run up to a maximum of two years following the expenditure.

For further information, please see https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/direct-aid-program/direct-aid-program. 

 

2. DAP Türkiye objectives

DAP Turkiye aims to advance Australia’s interests in Turkiye through the funding of small-scale development and humanitarian projects. DAP projects advance objectives for target groups in priority development sectors (see below), while promoting a positive image of Australia and building links with local communities across Turkiye.

 

3. Who can apply?

DAP is available on a not-for-profit basis to community groups, national or international NGOs, academic institutions, universities, research bodies, and local government institutions.

DAP is only available to institutions located in Türkiye for projects to be carried out in Türkiye.

 

4. What sectors are eligible for DAP Support?

The DAP Committee will be looking for projects that achieve practical and tangible outcomes in priority development sectors, including:    

• education
• health
• gender equality, including women and girls’ social and economic empowerment
• empowerment of persons with disabilities
• empowerment of youth
• STEM projects

 

5. Who are the ‘target groups’?

The DAP Committee will give priority to project that support disadvantaged communities and have an enduring impact for our target groups, which include:

• Women and children
• Persons with disabilities
• Refugees
• Communities impacted by the Türkiye earthquakes in February 2023

 

6. What are the requirements?

Projects must:

• be self-contained with definite timelines, including a work plan
• expend all funding by 30 June 2024
• have outcomes that are clearly defined, specific, achievable, and sustainable
• have outcomes that will help our target groups (see above)

 

Applications must:

• be submitted through the online grants management system, SmartyGrants
• include a clear, fully itemised, and fully costed project budget
• make costings in AUD currency
• outline the development benefits of the proposal
• demonstrate the applicant’s capacity to effectively implement the proposed project
• demonstrate the applicant’s capability and capacity to manage any identified project-related risks
• demonstrate soundness of the project's objectives and design
• demonstrate that the project is technically feasible and practical
• demonstrate that the project aligns with the objectives of the Direct Aid Program (see above)
• where co-funding is involved, the other partners must be identified in the application
• include a suggested time for a possible visit by Embassy officials

 

NB: All projects working with children must demonstrate they have a current child protection policy or code of conduct.

• See Attachment A for an example Child Protection Code of Conduct
• please also see DFAT’s Child Protection Policy at  https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/themes/child-protection/Pages/child-protection

 

7. Selection process

Along with above requirements, the selection committee will favourably consider projects that:

• address gender issues in their implementation
• include a contribution of their own or other donor contributions to the project
• have a sense of community ownership (i.e. a significant community contribution in terms of labour, materials or funds)
• will have tangible, enduring results
• catalyse further development of the community or provide a model for similar developments elsewhere
• include a communications plan which creates meaningful public visibility to reach a wide audience and raise awareness about the focus area
• which is built on:
  • a fact-based needs assessment
  • an activity plan/timeline
  • concrete outputs
  • an analysis of expected and unexpected risks
  • risk mitigation measures

 

Please note, the following activities and items are generally NOT eligible for funding under DAP

• grants programs run by other governments or organisations
• micro-credit schemes or any other project that involves return of money or loans for cash
• salary for permanent staff in the implementing organisation
• administrative costs not directly related to project implementation
• purchase or rental of property or land
• purchase of vehicles
• routine, recurring and/or running costs including office rent, electricity, water, phone, internet, etc.
• routine maintenance and repairs (including of equipment such as photocopiers, computers, stoves, fridges etc.)
• office or equipment insurance
• commercial ventures
• direct support for governments
• Australian or overseas study tours
• international travel
• sponsorship of major sporting tournaments or cultural displays that do not have a clear developmental benefit
• catering (i.e. food and drinks) and media coverage for promotional/launch events associated with DAP projects.

In some cases, limited DAP funding to pay for professional consultants and advisors, or for in-country travel expenses when they are directly related project implementation. However, such funding should be in small proportion relative to the overall project and should not constitute a major cost component.

 

8. How do I recognise the Australian Government’s support?

All projects must be branded under the Direct Aid Program with the Australian Aid identifier and the Australian Government crest.  This includes project signage, publications, annual reports, events, websites, sponsorship materials, stationery, advertisements, clothing, merchandise, media releases, marketing and promotional material, speeches, and interviews.

Projects are encouraged to invest in a banner for Australian Government outreach and promotional purposes, with either the Australian Aid identifier or Australian Government logo.

The community within the project area should be informed by the project coordinators that the funding was provided by the Australian Embassy in Ankara.

DAP recipients should create permanent reminders for the projects. Minor costs associated with ‘badging’ a project – such as a plaque – may be appropriate to fund under DAP.  However, the costs should be very minor in proportion to the overall project.

Please note that selected projects will be advised of the detailed DAP branding and visibility rules and guidelines.

 

9. Environmental and social safeguards

The safeguard policy provides guidance on DFAT’s safeguard responsibilities for aid investments and how to meet them, and sets out requirements for five key safeguards:

• environmental protection
• children, vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
• displacement and resettlement
• Indigenous peoples
• health and safety

All program investments, regardless of value or delivery mechanism must be screened for safeguard risks. Where screening indicates an environmental or social impact may occur, the safeguard risk must be assessed and rated.

Please see https://dfat.gov.au/aid/topics/aid-risk-management/Pages/environmental-and-social-safeguards.aspx.

 

10. Other notes

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).

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.

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 Embassy 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.

DFAT does not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment (SEAH) of any kind. This applies to our own organisation and extends to those we work with. DAP recipients are expected to apply an appropriate policy commensurate with the level of SEAH risk associated with the activity and their organisation. Recipients will be asked to demonstrate that they have a PSEAH policy or other documented policies and procedures, including, reporting and investigation procedures to manage the risk of SEAH. Please see https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/themes/preventing-sexual-exploitation-abuse-and-harassment

 

11. How do I apply?

All applications for funding should carefully follow the this guideline and must be submitted online via the Smartygrants platform before the closing date.

Submissions for Türkiye Direct Aid Program (DAP) for the 2023-24 will be accepted between the following times:

Opening Date:         12:00 hrs (GMT+3) on 9 August 2023

Closing Date:           12:00 hrs (GMT+3) on 28 August 2023

You can apply through the links below.

Turkish: dap.smartygrants.com.au/turkiyedap2023TUR

English: dap.smartygrants.com.au/turkiyedap2023ENG

A reminder, please be familiar with the DAP Program Overview,  our Child Protection Policy, and our Environmental and Social Safeguards Policy before submitting an application. 

 

12. Contact Us

For inquiries, please contact us at [email protected] email address.