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GUIDELINES

The Small Activities Scheme (SAS) is a flexible grants program administered by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) at the Australian High Commission in Pretoria. SAS is designed to meet small but developmentally important activities which:


help meet the basic humanitarian needs of local communities; or

assist in the accelerated economic and social development of disadvantaged communities including through improvements in the broader policy environment; or

complement other activities running as part of the wider development assistance program to South Africa.




The above list is neither comprehensive nor exclusive and reflects the flexible nature of the scheme which allows it to respond to a variety of small developmentally sound activities.

It is necessary for all recipients of SAS funding to promote Australia's identity as a sponsor of the activity.

The value of activities supported under the scheme will normally be in the range of R50,000 - R200,000. The maximum duration of any individual activity will normally be one year from the time of payment.



Criteria
Activities for support under the scheme should either be:

Self help initiatives of local communities, where the capacity for effective implementation can be demonstrated; or

Small activities originating from non-government or community based organizations undertaking development work on a not for profit basis, where the target community has been involved in the design of and endorses the activity.

Specific areas of focus of the scheme are:


Education and training (excluding bursary assistance)
Health
Economic and social programs for the underprivileged; and

Promotion of women's activities.



All activities should maximise the involvement of and benefits to women and be environmentally sustainable.

As a rule, SAS funding will not be applied to the following:


Items of a recurrent cost nature such as office rental, salaries, transportation costs or vehicle running expenses, office supplies, maintenance, spare parts and electricity bills.
Bursaries for training, in-country or in Australia
Activities executed by agencies or organizations of a third country.




ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

Activity Selection
Assessment and selection of activities under SAS is at the discretion of AusAID at the Australian High Commission, Pretoria. Applications for SAS support can be made at any time during the year however assessment and selection of projects will be normally undertaken quarterly in May, August, November and February.

All applications for funding should follow the format shown at Attachment 1 to these guidelines and be submitted to:

Small Activities Scheme Program Officer
AusAID
Australian High Commission
Private Bag X150
Pretoria 0001



Implementation and Monitoring
Usually, activity funding will be provided as a single grant for the total approved value. Payment of grants will be subject to a prior exchange of letters between the High Commission and the applicant on behalf of the activity implementing organization, setting out the terms and conditions of the grant.

Where appropriate, implementing organizations will be required to provide 6-monthly narrative and financial reports to AusAID on activity implementation, identifying both positive and negative outcomes. A final report is to be provided to AusAID on project completion. Any interest earned on project funds is to be used solely for the project or repaid to AusAID.

Any funds not expended at the completion of the project must be promptly repaid to AusAID.

AusAID will monitor the progress of activities, and will make site visits to projects from time to time.



ATTACHMENT 1

Please ensure the proposal contains the following information.

NAME OF ORGANISATION:
PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
CONTACT PERSON:
TELEPHONE:
FACSIMILE:
ACTIVITY NAME:

1. Implementing Organisation
brief description of the organisation, its function, background, previous achievements and support from other donors.



2. Activity description and objectives
description of the activity
objectives of the activity
number of people who will benefit (men, women and children)

expected outputs - quantify where possible



3. Timing and Costs
planned start and completion dates
summary of key activities and brief schedule for implementation of activities
activity budget, showing how the SAS grant will fit within the overall budget of your organisation and what are your organisational overheads and existing staffing capacity.

recurrent administrative costs and how these are to be met



4. Justification
· economic/social justification for the activity and expected impact.
· how will SAS funding assist your organisation achieve its overall strategies
· other relevant issues

expected impact on the environment.
role of women in the activity and how they will benefit
cultural issues of relevance
measures taken to promote Australia's identity as a sponsor in this activity.
previous experience in implementing activities of this nature and using funds provided by other donors.

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