Call for Applications: Australian Direct Aid Program

Deadline: 04-Oct-2026

The Australian Embassy in Belgrade Direct Aid Program (DAP) is offering small grants for locally led projects that support an inclusive green transition and strengthen women’s participation in the green economy in Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. Applicants can request up to €10,000 for a single project to support practical and tangible activities that benefit local communities. The programme particularly encourages projects that influence policy, strengthen institutional cooperation, improve environmental decision-making, and expand opportunities for women and girls in green industries.

About the Direct Aid Program

The Direct Aid Program is a flexible small grants initiative funded through Australia’s aid budget and managed by the Australian Embassy in Belgrade. The programme supports locally led projects that deliver practical outcomes for communities in Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. Funding is intended for relatively small-scale projects and activities that can demonstrate meaningful community benefits and contribute to broader development objectives. How Much Funding Is Available? Applicants may request funding for one project of up to €10,000, approximately US$10,800. The programme encourages projects that demonstrate potential to create benefits beyond the immediate funded activity. Proposals that can act as catalysts for further community development, establish useful partnerships, or provide models that can be replicated elsewhere are particularly encouraged. What Does the Program Support? The Direct Aid Program focuses on two major areas: - Supporting an inclusive green transition. - Strengthening women’s and girls’ participation in the green economy. Projects should demonstrate clear practical outcomes and a connection to one or both of these priorities. Inclusive Green Transition The programme supports small-scale initiatives that contribute to an inclusive green transition. Relevant activities can include projects that: - Inform local or national policy development. - Strengthen cooperation between institutions. - Improve community participation in environmental decision-making. - Foster partnerships with other donors. - Encourage community-led environmental initiatives. - Develop approaches that could serve as models for similar initiatives elsewhere. Projects should demonstrate how their activities can contribute to meaningful environmental and community outcomes. Supporting Women in the Green Economy A major priority of the programme is increasing the participation of women and girls in the green economy. Projects can support this objective by expanding access to: - Technical skills. - Digital skills. - STEM skills. - Green-industry training. - Leadership development. - Entrepreneurship opportunities. - Mentoring. The programme seeks to support women and girls in gaining the skills, knowledge, confidence, and opportunities needed to participate more actively in emerging green industries. Policy and Institutional Cooperation Priority will be given to proposals that have the potential to influence policies and strengthen cooperation between relevant institutions. Applicants should explain how their project could contribute to: - Local or national policy development. - Institutional cooperation. - Environmental governance. - Community participation in environmental decision-making. - Collaboration between development partners and other donors. Projects that connect community-level action with wider policy or institutional improvements are particularly encouraged. Community Participation in Environmental Decision-Making The programme recognizes the importance of involving communities in environmental decisions that affect them. Projects that improve community participation in environmental decision-making may therefore receive priority. Applicants should demonstrate how local people will participate in the project and how the proposed activities can strengthen community engagement with environmental issues.

Partnerships and Catalytic Projects

The Direct Aid Program encourages projects that can generate benefits beyond the initial grant.

Proposals are encouraged where they:

- Foster partnerships. - Act as catalysts for further community development. - Build cooperation between organisations. - Encourage collaboration with other donors. - Create models that could be replicated elsewhere. Projects may be particularly compelling where the recipient organisation makes a significant contribution through labour, materials, or financing. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants include locally based organisations engaged in development activities in the programme’s target countries.

Eligible applicants include:

- Local community groups. - Non-profit organisations. - Civil society organisations. - Non-governmental organisations. Applicants must be engaged in development activities in Serbia, North Macedonia, or Montenegro. Project Duration and Implementation Period Projects must be self-contained and comply with the programme’s implementation period.

Implementation must:

- Begin no earlier than 1 December 2026. - Conclude by 31 December 2027. Applicants should ensure that their proposed activities can realistically be completed within this timeframe. What Makes a Strong Proposal? Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their project will deliver practical and tangible community outcomes.

A strong proposal should explain:

- The problem or opportunity being addressed. - How the project contributes to an inclusive green transition. - How women and girls will benefit, where relevant. - The activities that will be undertaken. - The expected community outcomes. - Potential policy or institutional influence. - How the project will strengthen partnerships. - Opportunities for replication or wider application. - The contribution being made by the recipient organisation. Applicants should also ensure that the project is appropriately scaled for a small grant