Solomon Islands – Australia Community Partnerships
The Solomon Islands-Australia Community Partnerships are designed to help community groups improve their living standards through small-scale community infrastructure that would take up to one year to complete.
We strongly encourage applications for projects that benefit disadvantaged groups such as women, youths, those with disabilities and those from isolated communities.
What sort of community projects does Australia fund?
Australia funds small-scale community infrastructure aimed at achieving practical and tangible outcomes of high development impact.
Australia funds small-scale infrastructure projects, such as:
- Community multipurpose halls
- Community toilet blocks (usually attached to schools or community infrastructure)
- Community water tanks or other water and sanitation projects
- Single story school classroom buildings or school buildings (like libraries)
- Upgrades to existing health clinic buildings
- Footpaths or solar powered street lighting within communities
- Fencing around community buildings
- Solar lighting for community infrastructure (not for individual houses)
- Cultural or community sporting infrastructure
- Staff housing for schools or health clinics
Applicants must provide the following information:
- a completed online application including a detailed project description, timeline and budget
- Community minute of meeting confirming community support for the project and referencing the election of the Project Committee (Coordinator, Treasurer, Women’s representative)
- an endorsement letter from the relevant provincial or national government ministry if the project is for health or education infrastructure
- a land agreement document, stating that the landowner consents to this project being constructed on their land
- at least two quotations for all the materials involved in the projects
- a plan for how to transport the materials from Honiara to the project site, including at least two quotations for transport of materials
- a map detailing where your proposed project is located
- a building diagram or plan to show what the completed project would look like
Who can apply?
The Solomon Islands - Australia Community Partnerships are available on a not-for-profit basis to community groups across Solomon Islands.
We also encourage jointly funded projects with members of the National and Provincial Governments. Often MPs and MPAs will cover the costs for parts of projects that are ineligible for funding by the Australian High Commission (such as labour costs, insurance, or training)
How much can I apply for?
- Applicants can apply for a maximum of SBD 300,000 for a project
- The SBD 300,000 needs to cover the costs of both building materials and transport to the project site
- Projects must be delivered within twelve months of funding
Hint: don’t just put SBD 300,000 as the amount you’re applying for. You need to specify what the amount you need for each item as it appears on your pro forma invoices from your suppliers.
Please have the suppliers address quotes to:
[name of your project]
DT Global Asia Pacific Pty Ltd/ASIPS+
P.O. Box C153
Honiara
Solomon Islands
What does Australia not fund under this program?
We focus on small-scale infrastructure that would have clear ongoing benefit to a community and would be accessible to everyone in the community. Under this funding, we do not fund things like:
- Large scale infrastructure or roads
- Borehole drilling
- Ongoing or recurrent costs (including vehicle maintenance)
- Private housing
- Training courses
- Feasibility studies
- Cash grants
Expectations for accountability, transparency and reporting
The Australian High Commission requires a high degree of transparency and accountability in all projects that we fund, and we’re proud to have funded projects in the past that have met these standards.
Your application must demonstrate that the risk of wastage, administrative costs and other costs not delivering direct benefit to the community will be minimised. For example, renovation of an existing dwelling at an education institution must account for the impact of that construction on the learning outcomes at the institution. This could be reduced space for students to learn or play during the construction phase, and how your project will need to minimise that impact.
Should your project be successful, you will be required to:
- Sign a contract specifying the terms and conditions of the funding
- Submit a monthly progress report
- Submit a final report at the project’s completion
- Allow and facilitate a visit by Australian High Commission representatives to the project site
How can I apply?
We are accepting applications until 11pm on 31 August. All applications must be submitted online via SmartyGrants. We no longer accept hard copy applications.
Click here to start your application in English.
Click here to start your application in Solomon Islands Pijin.
What do I do if I need help?
If you have any questions while completing your application, please contact us via email at [email protected]
Make sure to include your application number in your email subject.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more information!