The Australian Government, through the Direct Aid Program (DAP), is said to be pleased to fund 12 additional community-led projects, taking the total number of DAP-funded projects in the SI to 19 for the 2021 calendar year.
On 12 November, Counsellor (Political) Kevin Playford and DAP Manager Laura Wilson congratulated the successful project applicants during a handover ceremony at the Australian High Commission.
The 12 projects in this round will support communities across Solomon Islands, including in Isabel, Western, Choiseul, Malaita, and Central Provinces and in Honiara.
In line with Australia’s COVID-19 Development Response, the DAP team encouraged project applications that helped build COVID-19 resilience, particularly in the education, health, and sanitation sectors. The Australians prioritized projects which benefitted disadvantaged groups such as women, youth, and people with disabilities, as well as those from remote communities, including projects that build climate change resilience.
The approved projects include classroom building refurbishments, water supply, and restoration works, installation of a school dormitory fence, and support to build a seawall.
Counselor (Political) Kevin Playford urged the Project Coordinators to complete the projects in a comprehensive and timely manner. He advised the Project Coordinators to build awareness about their projects in their communities and to ensure the projects benefit as many community members as possible.
“We wish the project coordinators all the best with the implementation of their projects and look forward to visiting their projects and communities in due course.”
Source. Solomon Star News.
Footnote.
DAP is a small grants-based program, which supports community-led projects. Applications are available free of charge on our website or can be picked up from the Australian High Commission in Honiara.
Comment.
The Australian Government, through the Australian High Commission in HONIARA, is thanked for the 12 project support projects this year, and especially thanked for targeting disadvantaged groups this time, especially those with disabilities in the community.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
