Tunisia Direct Aid Program 2025-2026

What is the Direct Aid Program?

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a flexible small grants program funded by the Australian Government and managed through the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) overseas posts. The program plays an important role in supporting local community efforts towards economic empowerment, social welfare improvement and sustainable development and is an integral component of Australia’s overseas development program.

Who can Apply?

DAP is available on a not-for-profit basis to individuals, community groups, NGOs and other entities engaged in development activities in countries that are eligible for official development assistance (ODA).

** Applicants will be notified if their application has been successful within 8-10 weeks from the closing date. **

What activities are eligible for DAP Support?

DAP activities should primarily be aimed at achieving practical and tangible outcomes of high development impact. DAP is able to fund activities that have a direct, practical and immediate impact. We will favourably consider projects:

• in the areas of community and/or rural development, education, gender equality, disabilities, youth, human rights, the environment, small-scale infrastructure and economic empowerment.
• where applicants and their communities make a contribution in labour, materials, transport or cash;
• sporting activities
• that enhance educational and people-to-people links
• that are achievable and have sustainable outcomes
• projects that provide educational or occupational/skills training

We will generally NOT fund the following:

• cash grants or micro-credit schemes or projects that involve the return of money
• commercial ventures
• purchase of major assets, eg vehicles
• Australian or overseas study tours
• International travel
• Sponsorship of major sporting tournaments or cultural displays that do not have a clear developmental benefit
• staff salaries

Projects must run for no longer than 12 months and should be self-sustainable beyond the term of the grant, or completed by the end of the project duration.  Activities in which the recipient community themselves makes a significant contribution in terms of labour, materials or cash are particularly well-received.  Projects that might act as a catalyst for additional development of the community or a model for similar developments elsewhere will also be welcomed.  There is no minimum amount that a single DAP project can receive but the maximum is AUD 15,000 over the life of the project. Funding will be dispersed in TND, and final amount may vary slightly due to exchange rate fluctuation. Activities may run up to a maximum of 12 months.

Proposals must be clearly defined with specific outputs. Proposals will be approved or rejected on the basis of:

• the costs and the development benefits of the proposal
• achievable and sustainable outcomes
• soundness of the project's objectives and design
• the practicability of the proposed implementation arrangements, and
• whether the project conforms with the requirements and objectives of the Direct Aid Program

This form is to be completed by the applicant online. All applications must be accompanied by a fully costed project budget.

Applications must be written in English.  Applications received in French and/or Arabic will not be considered.

** Applications must be submitted with the budget in AUD. **

This application form should be read in conjunction with information on the Direct Aid Program available at -
https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/direct-aid-program/pages/direct-aid-program

Notes:

1. DAP building and construction related projects should meet or exceed Australian standards wherever reasonably practicable to do so. Departure from Australian WHS standards on the basis that meeting such standards is not “reasonably practicable” should only be accepted where it is defensible to do so supported by a clear, persuasive and documented explanation. In such cases, the project should meet the highest standard that is reasonably practicable, with hazard mitigation measures supported by a hazard identification and risk assessment report identifying the residual risks of injury and illness to any workers or third parties, and proposed mitigation strategy.

2. If the project involves working with children, the organisation must have a current child protection policy or code of conduct to be eligible. For information on child protection policy, see
https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/themes/child-protection/Pages/child-protection

3. Projects must play an active role in addressing the risk of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.  For further information see Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

4. 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).

5. 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. 

6. Applicants will be notified if their application has been successful within 8-10 weeks from the closing date.

7. Projects must be acquitted within two months of completion, in line with the budget submitted in the below application.