Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

Australian Aid

Kathmandu Community Grants 2026

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This is a preview of the Kathmandu Community Grants Application (English) form. When you’re ready to apply, click Fill Out Now to begin.
 

Introduction

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The Community Grants Program is a flexible small grants program funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The program supports locally led activities that improve development outcomes for communities in eligible countries. Community Grants are designed to assist organisations and community groups to deliver practical, sustainable and impactful activities that respond to local needs and priorities. This may include activities such as training, service delivery, community development initiatives and small-scale infrastructure projects.

The program aims to support activities that:

  • improve the wellbeing and development outcomes of local communities
  • respond to locally identified needs and priorities
  • promote sustainable and inclusive development
  • build community capacity and resilience
  • deliver practical and measurable benefits for beneficiaries.

Community Grants Program funding is generally available to:

  • locally registered non-government organisations (NGOs)
  • community-based organisations
  • academic and educational institutions
  • sporting organisations
  • religious organisations
  • individuals acting on behalf of a community or group for a development-related purpose. Community Grants funding is generally not available to:
  • United Nations agencies or other multilateral organisations
  • partner governments or government agencies
  • Australian non-government organisations
  • private businesses
  • communities located in Australia.

Priority areas for Community Grants 2026 are:

Priority Sector 1: Combating Caste-Based Discrimination

  • Projects that address caste-based discrimination, including through strengthening the capacity of human rights defenders and civil society organisations, and working to advance the rights of Dalits.

Priority Sector 2: Providing disability-inclusive services

  • Initiatives that improve accessibility, support independent living, expand disability-inclusive services, and promote the development and use of accessible communication tools across Nepal.

Priority Sector 3: Entrepreneurship and Export Readiness

  • Projects that aim at improving the value-chain of Nepali products with potential to export, and strengthen trade, business linkages and market access, with benefits for disadvantaged communities.

Community Grants Program funding cannot be used for activities where the primary purpose is:

  • supporting commercial ventures or generating profit
  • funding ongoing operational costs such as salaries, utilities, rent or routine administration expenses
  • purchasing vehicles or other major operational assets
  • funding international travel
  • sponsoring major sporting tournaments or events without a clear development outcome
  • supporting partner government activities
  • promoting Australian commercial or political interests.

Funding and Accountability

Successful applicants will be required to enter into a grant agreement with DFAT and comply with all reporting, safeguarding and accountability requirements. Recipients may be required to:

  • maintain accurate financial records
  • provide progress and completion reports
  • participate in monitoring activities or site visits
  • demonstrate compliance with child protection, safeguarding and other DFAT policy requirements.

Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Applications will be assessed against the published eligibility requirements and assessment criteria, and funding decisions will be made by DFAT following assessment of applications.

Conflict of Interest

Any conflicts of interest could affect the performance of the grant opportunity or program. There may be a conflict of interest, or perceived conflict of interest, if the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff, any member of a committee or advisor and/or you or any of your personnel:

  • has a professional, commercial or personal relationship with a party who is able to influence the application selection process, such as an Australian Government official or an external member of an assessment committee
  • has a relationship with, or interest in, an organisation that is likely to interfere with or restrict the applicants from carrying out the proposed activities fairly and independently

OR

  • has a relationship with, or interest in, an organisation from which they will receive personal gain because the organisation receives a grant under the grant program.

You are asked to declare, as part of your application, any perceived or existing conflicts of interests or that, to the best of your knowledge, there is no conflict of interest. If you later identify an actual, apparent or perceived conflict of interest, you must inform the DFAT Community Grants team in writing immediately.

Applicants must declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest associated with this application.

To the best of your knowledge, are there any perceived or existing conflicts of interest relating to your application? * Required
 

This section is not applicable because of your response to question: "To the best of your knowledge, are there any perceived or existing conflicts of interest relating to your application?" on page 1

 
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