Small Activities Scheme

Objectives: The goal of the scheme is to contribute to poverty reduction through small-scale interventions at community level, especially in nationally recognised povertystricken counties. It is a practical and flexible mechanism which enables quick and effective disbursement in rural, poorer areas of China. The projects focus on poverty reduction through sustainable development, as well as supporting policy reform, environmental protection and social development activities.

Australian Contribution: A$1 million per year

Duration: 1987-Ongoing

Location: China-wide

Project Components:

The Small Activities Scheme is intended to provide:

grants to support small-scale technical and financial assistance to China using quick disbursement and simplified administrative mechanisms;
support for the Australian and Chinese organizations engaged in developmental activities in China on a non-profit basis, and
a means of using existing AusAID funded project experiences in China to extend the benefits of larger technical co-operation activities to other provinces.

Activities which may be funded under the scheme include:

small central, provincial municipal, county government, or community projects for developmental activities;
self-help programs; i.e. projects where counterpart funding is provided;
small activity proposals originating from NGOs, International NGOs or nonprofit organizations engaged in developmental activities in China on a nonprofit basis, with provision of counterpart funding, in partnership with an implementing agency, and submitted through provincial DOFCOM.

The scope of activities could include:

environment (e.g. water and sanitation, biogas)
health (e.g. maternal and child health);
education (with a focus on basic education); and
community development.

Planned outcomes: Since 1987 there have been around 300 projects funded under SAS to date. Funds have supported projects in over more than 20 provinces, in the areas of rural development, education, health, water supply and sanitation, community development, emergency activities, women and development, research and poverty reduction activities.

Achievements to date: Primary school students, poor farmers, ethnic minority people, disabled people and other disadvantaged groups in poor middle and western provinces of China have better schooling conditions, improved access to water, health care and other basic services under the support of SAS projects since 1987.

Managing Contractor: N/A

Chinese Counterparts: MOFCOM and provincial DOFCOMs

AusAID Contact:

Mr Ma Zhigang
Senior Program Officer,
No 21, Dong Zhi Men Wai Dajie, Beijing, PRC
Phone: +86-10 5140 4395
Fax: +86-10 5140 4199
Email: zhigang.ma@dfat.gov.au

May 2008