100316_DAP_Australia announces Rs 13 million in grants to local organisations

Australian High Commission
Colombo
MEDIA RELEASE
________________________________________
16 March 2010

Australia announces Rs 13 million in grants to local organisations

The Australian High Commissioner, Ms Kathy Klugman, on 16 March, handed over Rs 13 million in grants to 13 community based organisations conducting small scale development projects in different parts of the island.

The projects were awarded funding under Australia’s Direct Aid Program (DAP), which is available on a not-for-profit basis to individuals and local community groups. Speaking at the occasion, the Ms Klugman said: “The High Commission has long taken pride in the Direct Aid Program as it allows us to provide direct benefits to community groups doing great work at a grass roots level. DAP funding gets to those most in need. This year, with a doubling in DAP funding for Sri Lanka, we have been able to reach more people in need, in more parts of the country, including areas in the North and East”.

In this round, funds were presented to: Sarvodaya to implement an island-wide outreach project to support a bilingual radio program; YMCA in Kalmunai for an income generation project for 41 conflict affected families; Rural Development Foundation, which will provide bicycles to some newly resettled families in Mullaitivu; Peragamana Guild in Ampara for livelihood activities for 300 women; Centre for Women and Development in Jaffna for an income generation project for 162 women; Mannar Association for Relief and Rehabilitation which will provide bicycles for some newly resettled families in Manthai West; Abhimana Community Development Centre in Horowpothana to renovate the Rathnakumbura irrigation dam; Sabaragamuwa Community Development Foundation in Balangoda for the construction of 35 toilets for low income families; Centre for Performing Arts in Jaffna for a project promoting social cohesion through education and arts; Women's Development Centre in Anuradhapura for a cattle management project for 25 low income families; Uva Wellassa Farmers Women’s Association in Buttala for a income generation project for low income families; Uva Farmers Development Foundation in Haliela for an income generation project for plantation workers; and Nirmanee Development Foundation in Kegalle to support a water scheme for 40 low income plantation workers.

To date, the High Commission has supported 21 projects island-wide in the last nine months. These projects are designed to provide immediate benefits to the recipients who are fully involved in the identification, design and management of the project activities. Through DAP, the High Commission has assisted widows, children, the disabled, the elderly and the rural poor among others.