The Australian Alumni COVID-19 Response Grants Schemeprovides opportunity for alumni to help respond to the emerging needs and challenges brought by the COVID-19 crisis.
The program features two categories: a development stream, which allows alumni to implement projects to help those who need it most; and a research stream that will allow alumni to contribute to the limited body of knowledge and literature on COVID-19. These are platforms for Australia Global Alumni and AAAEP-P program participants to be changemakers in their organisation and communities during this challenging time.
Applications for the 2020 Australian Alumni COVID-19 Response Grants Scheme are now open.
The Australian Alumni COVID-19 Response Grants Scheme (Development) aims to assist alumni to undertake projects that contribute to building resilience and recovery efforts. It gives alumni a platform to leverage their competencies gained from their Australian education or training in implementing the projects.
The Australian Alumni COVID-19 Grants Scheme (Research) assists alumni to undertake research that uses their knowledge and skills gained from their Australian education or training. It gives alumni a platform to conduct research initiatives that would provide a better understanding of COVID-19 and respond to current challenges brought about by the pandemic.
2020 Alumni Grants Scheme Ongoing Development Projects
Dr Rene Abesamis
Southern Negros Environmental Sustainability
Enhancing local technical capacity to sustain monitoring of marine protected areas on coral reefs
The project aims to strengthen the technical capacity of local community members to monitor Marine Protected Areas (MPA) by employing an innovative capacity-building tactic of combining traditional approaches (workshop/training) with a noivel technology-based tool. It will benefit the local communities in at least 3 coastal municipalities in Southern Negros.
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Ms Leny Castillo
Davao City Local Economic Development – Indigenous Peoples
GGSI Sustainable Product and Packaging Design Development
The project aims to develop new alternative products and packaging solutions which are sustainable and essentially eco-friendly. It contributes to addressing the environmental challenge in post-consumption reduction of waste. By partnering with the Matigsalug community, the project creates and contributes to livelihood opportunities for the community.
Atty Raymond Baguilat
Ifugao Social Inclusion – Indigenous Peoples
Intellectual Property Protection Program in Kiangan, Ifugao
The project aims to educate traditional knowledge-holders, specifically the Tuwali Indigenous Peoples from Kiangan, Ifugao of their intellectual property rights, laws and services and encourage registration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. Overall, the vision is to make the Tuwali experience a model for community engagement of Indigenous Peoples throughout the country.
Mr Gabriel Sebastian Lizada
Davao City Mental Health / Disaster Risk Reduction
Capacitating Barangay Workers on Disaster Preparedness Through Psychological and Mental Health First Aid Training
The main goal of the project is to develop two 7-man teams of psychosocial support responders for each of the five communities in Davao City that have been most affected by recurring disasters. It also aims to help barangay officials to develop mental health awareness and skills to respond for psychological first aid and psychosocial support in times of emergency and disaster situations.
Ms Sally Jane Uy
Quezon City Social Inclusion - CWD
Palaruan ni Juan (Juan’s Playground)
The project aims to promote disability-inclusive play among children with Disabilities of Quezon City by creating sample playspace / toy adaptations customized for their needs. It is a collaborative project with the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and KABAHAGI Resource Center for Children With Disabilities.
Mr Joseph De Guia
Occidental Mindoro Local Economic Development – Women / Innovation
Enhancing local technical capacity to sustain monitoring of marine protected areas on coral reefs
The project aims to strengthen the technical capacity of local community members to monitor Marine Protected Areas (MPA) by employing an innovative capacity-building tactic of combining traditional approaches (workshop/training) with a novel technology-based tool. It will benefit the local communities in at least 3 coastal municipalities in Southern Negros.
2019 Alumni Grants Scheme Development Projects
Joel Dannug
Shepherding Millennial Leaders (SMiLe)
SMILe provided leadership training and mentoring program to the officers of the RANG-AY, KABATAAN TI STO NIÑO! – an independent youth-serving organisation that provides outreach activities – cleanup drives and disaster preparedness campaigns – at the Municipality of Sto. Niño,Cagayan. The training included a structured learning experience on self-management, relationship skills, global mindedness and new media literacy; shepherding component; and leadership tour to a partner university and agency.
PA3i Southern Tagalog Chapter
Earth Warriors for Biodiversity: An Interactive Leaning Program for the Youth
The project mobilised young people for a hands-on experience on the importance of biodiversity. This included an interactive learning activity on tree nurturing at the Mt. Makiling Heritage Park where participants experienced the various steps in tree nursery operations: soil preparation, seed treatment, seedling handling and care, among others. The participants also went on an interactive biodiversity learning trail in Los Baños Laguna’s Mudspring Trail – a 670m route that traverses the natural forest of the mountain.
Marikit Soliman
Development of Education Strategy and Sustainability Plans to Adopt Clean Processing Technology for Small Scale Mining in the Philippines
The project facilitated the adoption and integration of sustainable processing technology for small scale mining in the Philippines. It also educated small-scale miners and other stakeholders on the benefits of shifting to the cleaner technology of gold extraction.
Milton Medina
Indigenous Women’s Livelihood and Plastic Recycling Towards Conservation of Endemic Species in Mindanao
The project established an ex-situ propagation site for endemic species of plants in Mt. Talomo, re-using the plastic wastes in both the University of Mindanao and Manobo-Clata village as material for ex-situ propagation. The project tapped the indigenous women of Manobo-Clata Tribe in Mt. Talomo Davao City who were trained in the conservation of endemic plant species.
