DIRECT AID PROGRAM
Direct Aid Program (DAP)
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) provides financial assistance to eligible groups or organisations undertaking suitable small-scale development projects.
In financial year 2026-2027, the Australian High Commission in Pretoria will fund projects in the following priority thematic areas (in alphabetical order):
- Bridging the digital divide
- Climate, weather and early warning systems
- Conflict prevention
- Disability equity and rights
- Education
- Food security
- Gender equality, youth, women and girl’s empowerment, social inclusion
- Health and biosecurity systems
- Human rights
- Ocean and marine ecosystems
- Protection of humanitarian workers
- Sport
- Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
Projects must be located in one or more of these countries: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa. Activities may run up to a maximum of two years.
Projects must have realistic objectives and clear outcomes. The Australian High Commission in Pretoria will award DAP grants to a maximum of AUD 100,000. There is no minimum amount a single DAP project can receive.
Projects that demonstrate a high level of local involvement or partnership with other likeminded organisations (financially and/or in kind) are also encouraged.
DAP cannot fund activities where any of the following objectives are the primary purpose or key focus of the project:
- supporting commercial ventures/purposes. For example, funding activities with the aim of making a profit.
- supporting ongoing operational costs such as utilities (power and water), rental of land.
- salaries and operational costs will be considered on a case-by-case basis but cannot surpass 20% of the total budget.
- purchase and/or operation costs for vehicles/properties or other operational assets such as buildings.
- sponsoring a major sporting tournament or cultural displays that do not have a clear development benefit.
- construction projects that use asbestos or other materials that are hazardous to human health.
- promoting Australian interests, with limited or no identifiable development outcomes for local communities.
PROCESS
For comprehensive information on the application process and eligibility, please refer to the DAP Guidelines via the following link:
In the current Australian financial year (1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027), the High Commission in Pretoria invites potential partners to submit an a brief 1-2-page concept note to our inbox at [email protected] .
EoIs and concept notes will be accepted from Monday, 21 September 2026 until Sunday, 4 October 2026.
To be eligible for consideration, all EoIs/concept notes must include:
- a detailed description of the project and its prospective activities;
- grant amount sought (maximum is AUD 100,000) and an accurate financial breakdown of costs involved;
- timeframe for implementing the project of no more than two years;
- Child Protection Policy (if working with children).
Please also note that:
- incomplete applications will not be considered;
- only applications addressing one or more of the above focus areas will be considered;
- projects approved for funding must adhere to DAP policy guidelines set out by the Australian High Commission for financial management, fraud mitigation and branding (as are set out in the grant agreement letter);
- any unutilized funds must be returned to the Australian government.
Should you experience technical difficulties in accessing the online link during the submission round or if you have any questions on the DAP, please email [email protected]
Important note: DAP program and application requirements can change from year-to-year. Please do not rely on information that does not appear on this website or that you did not receive directly from the High Commission.