Solomon Islands – Australia Community Partnerships
The Solomon Islands-Australia Community Partnerships is a small grants program, 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 through these grants 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
- School classroom buildings
- Health clinic buildings
- Footpaths within communities
- Fencing around community buildings
- Solar lighting for community infrastructure
- Cultural or community sporting infrastructure
- Staff housing for community buildings (like 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 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 grants 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 is you need for each item as it appears on your pro forma invoices from your suppliers.
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 these grants, we do not fund things like:
- Ongoing or recurrent costs (including vehicle maintenance)
- Private housing
- Micro credit schemes or cash grants
- Large scale infrastructure or roads (the Community Partnership grants are for small-scale infrastructure)
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 grant
- 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
Hint: Most applications are rejected because they do not submit a detailed budget. Make sure your budget accounts for everything your project will need (including transport to your location, building materials like wood and nails, and building plans) and remember to include itemised invoices from suppliers showing these costs.
When is the next round open?
Our next round will open in early 2025.
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!