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.

Projects should be of a self-help nature and include community contributions. We strongly encourage applications for projects that benefit disadvantaged groups such as women, youths, those with disabilities and those from isolated communities.

Applicants may apply for projects that take up to one year to complete. Applicants should be aware that not all projects can be supported as there are limited funds available and the number of requests, even for projects that fall within these guidelines, far exceed the level of funding available.

The applicants of all approved projects will be notified and asked to come to the Australian High Commission for an event to celebrate the funding approval,

The community must provide a completion report to the Australian High Commission no later than two months after the project is completed. The High Commission will, as practicable, visit approved and completed Solomon Islands – Australia Community Partnerships projects.

What sort of community project does Australia fund?

The Australian High Commission funds activities that are aimed at achieving practical and tangible outcomes of high development impact.

We fund small-scale infrastructure projects that have a direct, practical and immediate impact, such as:

Community multipurpose halls

Community ablution blocks (usually attached to schools or community infrastructure)

Community water tanks or other water and sanitation projects

School classroom buildings

Health clinic buildings

Footpaths

Fencing around community buildings

Solar lighting for community infrastructure

Water source boreholes

Cultural or community sporting infrastructure

Staff housing (including teacher’s accommodation)

Climate change mitigation infrastructure

Applicants must provide the following information:

a completed online application including a detailed project description, timeline and budget

an endorsement letter from the relevant provincial or national government ministry
at least two quotations for all the materials involved in the projects
a map detailing where your proposed project is located
any projects which involve a building must include a building diagram or plan

Who can apply?

The Community Partnerships Fund is available on a not-for-profit basis to community groups, NGOs, and other entities engaged in development activities.

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.

How much can I apply for?

Applicants can apply for a maximum of SBD $300,000 for a project
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. We have an example budget on page 7 to help you.

What does Australia not fund under this program?

We focus on small-scale infrastructure that will have clear benefit to a community and will be accessible to everyone in the community. We do not fund things like:

Ongoing or recurrent costs (including vehicle maintenance)
Cash grants

Consumables (including petrol or fertiliser)
Micro credit schemes

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
Keep full financial records of all expenditure, including receipts
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 the 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.

Application Process

The Australian High Commission only accepts online applications.

Click this link to begin your application in English.

Click this link to begin your application in Solomon Islands Pijin.

All applicants must provide the following information in their online application:

a detailed project description and timeline
a detailed and transparent budget
at least two quotations for all the materials involved in the projects
an endorsement letter from the relevant provincial or national government ministry (eg if you’re building a classroom building you need a letter from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development)

any projects which involve a building must include a building diagram or plan
a map detailing where your proposed project is located
your contact details (phone, email, and a return postal address)

Once you’ve submitted your application, the Australian High Commission will consider all applications in line with our budget.

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.