DHAKA: The Australian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Greg Wilcock handed over Tk2.6-crore approximately (around AUD 450,000) to 13 NGOs involved in community development in Bangladesh.
The money was approved as a grant under the Direct Aid Program (DAP) 2014-15 of the Australian High Commission, says a media release issued by the high commission on Monday.
The grants were provided through a signing ceremony and cheque handover at the Australian High Commissioner’s residence on May 3.
The projects receiving DAP assistance in 2014-15 include: Establishment of human rights of indigenous people through underprivileged girls’ enrolment in skills development training and employment in Rangpur region; Corrective non-invasive treatment for children born with clubfoot; reducing the level of rights violation and abuse towards the sexual minorities in Bangladesh; and child poisoning prevention in rural communities project.
The NGOs successful in the 2014-15 DAP round include: ActionAid Bangladesh, The Glencoe Foundation, Bangladesh Apiculture Institute (BIA), Australian Safe Communities Foundation (ASCF) in collaboration with the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB) , Bandhu Social Welfare Society (BSWS), UCEP – Bangladesh, Samannita Unnayan Seba Sangathan (SUSS), Atmabiswas, Kumudini Welfare Trust of Bengal, Japan Association of Drainage and Environment (JADE), Light House and Society for Lowest Urban Mass (SLUM).
The goal of DAP in Bangladesh is to address humanitarian needs and to advance development activities.
Individuals, community groups, local NGOs, academic institutions, research bodies, libraries, museums, or other organizations engaged in development activities in Bangladesh are eligible to apply for the Program.
DAP projects involve small scale development activities that are participatory in nature and focus on basic human rights and good governance issues.
More information on DAP can be found on the Australian High Commission’s website at: http://www.bangladesh.embassy.gov.au/daca/development_cooperat.html
BDST: 1702 HRS, MAY 11, 2015
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