KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- The Australian government is offering more than AUD1 million in grants over three years to support eligible Malaysian civil society organisations (CSO) in advancing reforms and implementing social and economic initiatives.
Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Danielle Heinecke said applications for the grants are open to all local CSOs nationwide, regardless of the causes they focus on.
“So, this made it a bit fairer rather than just always being the same bigger kind of organisation,” she told reporters at the launch of the Australia–Malaysia Kerjasama Program (AMKP) Civil Society Organisation Grants Round, which also marked the opening of applications for the 2026-27 Direct Aid Programme (DAP), at her residence here on Thursday.
She said there is no fixed number of recipients set, as the selection would depend on the quality and scope of proposals received, and funding could support a one-year project or an initiative spanning three years.
Heinecke said the civil society grants would complement Australia’s work with the Malaysian government, international organisations and think tanks, with the emphasis on supporting reforms identified as national priorities.
She cited Australia’s support for Malaysia’s Freedom Of Information (FOI) reform process, which involved working with both the government and civil society.
The broader bilateral programme had evolved from a narrower focus on institutional reform and political participation to include economic development and inequality, she said.
Announced by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in 2025, the four-year bilateral development cooperation programme between Australia and Malaysia, known as AMKP, supports Malaysia’s ambition to become a high-income country by 2030 and efforts to strengthen inclusive growth, governance, social protection and gender equality.
According to the High Commission, the CSO grants can support initiatives in governance and institutional reform, economic development, education, community and rural development, gender equality, disability equity and social inclusion, and climate resilience.
On the distinction between the two funding streams, Heinecke said the CSO grants were geared towards reform, including parliamentary democracy, economic policy and women’s workforce participation, while the DAP offered greater flexibility for practical community services.
The latest DAP round offers grants of up to AUD66,500 for projects lasting up to two years.
Previous partnerships have supported skills training for Orang Asli youth through the Dignity for Children Foundation and conservation work with the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Applications for both grants close on Nov 15, with successful applicants expected to be notified by the end of December this year.
Further details on the application are available on the Australian High Commission’s website.
-- BERNAMA