Direct Aid Program 2026–27 funding round — Fiji

id="main"> VUVALE COMMUNITY GRANTS The Australian High Commission’s Vuvale Community Grants program provides grants for small-scale sustainable development projects.

Important note: Only rely on information on Vuvale Community Grants from this website or directly from the High Commission.

Who can apply? Community grants program funding is generally available to: - Local community organisations, or individuals acting on behalf of a community or group or development related purpose - Locally registered non-government organisations (NGOs) - Sporting organisations - Religious organisations - Academic organisations. Community grants funding is not available to: - Private businesses - Multilateral organisations - Partner Governments - Australian NGOs - Local communities in Australia What activities can be funded? Community grants programs should fund activities that support improved development outcomes for a local community, including areas such as: - Education - Economic growth (agriculture, connectivity) - Health - Gender equality, disability equity and social inclusion - Climate change, disaster risk reduction, environmental protection How much can I apply for? Applicants can apply for a maximum of AUD60,000 (around FJD $89,000) over the life of the project. Projects should be completed within 6 months of receiving funding. Larger projects may be considered on a case-by-case basis. What kind of projects can get Vuvale Community Grants support? The Vuvale Community Grants supports projects that have real, practical results and a clear impact.

Applications SHOULD:

- be supported by the local community, authorities and/or government ministries - include contributions from the community (e.g. labour, materials, transport or money) - be achievable, have sustainable outcomes, and do not require recurring costs (e.g. maintenance) - include gender equality and disability inclusion considerations - identify risks and have a plan to manage them. We will generally NOT fund the following: - cash grants or micro-credit schemes - business or commercial ventures - building or fixing churches and places of worship - buying major assets, e.g. vehicles, boats - sporting tournaments or cultural events without clear developmental benefits - running costs and administrative expenses (e.g. rent, utilities, subscriptions, spare parts) - shipping goods, unless they cannot be bought locally. Expectations for accountability, transparency and reporting We require a high degree of transparency and accountability in all projects. Applications must demonstrate that the risk of wastage, administration costs and other costs not delivering direct benefit to the target community will be minimised. Should your project be successful, you will be required to: - sign a contract specifying the terms and conditions of the grant - keep full financial records of all expenditure, including receipts - submit a progress report within six months of receiving your funding - submit a final report at the project’s completion - allow and facilitate a visit by Australian High Commission representatives to the project site. APPLICATION PROCESS When can I apply? Application period for the 2026–27 Vuvale Community Grants program: 31 October–11 December 2026 . Successful applicants will be notified in January 2027 , with grant funding provided by February 2027. How will applications be assessed? After the submission deadline, the Vuvale Community Grants Committee will assess the applications against the following criteria: - The overall development impact of the project - Feasibility and sustainability of the project - Identification and management of risks - Integration of gender equality, disability and other social inclusion considerations. During this process, we may ask the applicant for more information. How can I apply? All applications must be submitted through SmartyGrants , an online grant system. The application link will be published on this page before the round opens on 31 October 2026 . You can access SmartyGrants from any device with internet. We will not accept applications sent outside of SmartyGrants. If you cannot use SmartyGrants, email us at [e-mail on source page] . Need help? If you have any questions, please email us at [e-mail on source page] . Include your application number in your email subject.