Call for Proposals: Mekong Australia Partnership (MAP) – Multi-Year Project Funding

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is now accepting Activity Proposals for funding under the Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP). This initiative represents a $222.5 million investment over five years (2024-2029) aimed at fostering collaboration to address shared and transboundary development challenges in the Mekong subregion. MAP is managed through DFAT in Canberra, the Mekong Hub in Bangkok, and Mekong Posts in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Focus Areas

Proposals should target one or more of the following thematic areas:

• Climate Resilience: Solutions to enhance adaptation to climate change.
• Water Security: Sustainable management of water resources in the Mekong subregion.
• Economic Resilience and Subregional Integration: Initiatives supporting economic stability and integration among Mekong countries.
• Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI): Promoting inclusive development that ensures equal opportunities for all groups.

Project Scope and Requirements

Proposals must:

• Be valued between $2 million and $10 million.
• Use a subregional or multi-country approach involving at least two Mekong countries.
• Demonstrate strong alignment with one or more of MAP’s End-of-Portfolio Outcomes.

Submission Process

Proposals must be submitted by 5 PM AEST, October 11, 2024, to map2-callforproposals@dfat.gov.au

Before submission, review the Call for Proposals – Guidelines, Eligibility, and Selection Criteria. Incomplete proposals, those that do not meet the eligibility criteria, or late submissions will not be considered.

Key Documents

• Call for Proposals – Guidelines, Eligibility and Selection Criteria [DOCX 350 KB]
• Call for Proposals – Guidelines, Eligibility and Selection Criteria [PDF 252 KB]
• Call for Proposals – Invitation to submit an activity proposal [DOCX 78 KB]
• Call for Proposals – Invitation to submit an activity proposal [PDF 391 KB]
• Call for Proposals – Sample DFAT Complex Grant Agreement [DOCX 138 KB]
• Call for Proposals – Sample DFAT Complex Grant Agreement [PDF 829 KB]
• Call for Proposals – Sample DFAT Simple Grant Agreement [DOCX 108 KB]
• Call for Proposals – Sample DFAT Simple Grant Agreement [PDF 381 KB]

Information Session and FAQs

Questions regarding the call for proposals can be submitted until September 26, 2024, with responses provided by October 3, 2024.

For additional insights, you may refer to the documents or visit the website.

• Mekong Australia Partnership – call for proposals FAQ [DOCX 28 KB]
• Mekong Australia Partnership – call for proposals FAQ [PDF 201 KB]

Background

The Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP) was launched to enhance the resilience and inclusiveness of the Mekong subregion through joint solutions to common challenges. The second phase of MAP, announced in March 2024, builds on the success of previous efforts and aligns with five End-of-Portfolio Outcomes in the following thematic areas:

• Climate resilience
• Water security
• Gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI)
• Economic resilience and subregional integration
• Transnational crime prevention and capacity-building in leadership and skills

For further information, visit the MAP Portfolio Design Framework to explore the partnership’s overall goals and outcomes.