Support for civil society engagement (focus on peace-building, leadership and community development)

The East Timor Community Assistance Scheme (ETCAS) is an annual small grants scheme which supports community initiatives throughout East Timor. ETCAS provides assistance at the community level through NGOs, community based organisations and religious groups with the aim of directly addressing community needs in order to achieve better living conditions for East Timorese people. AusAID initiative INI314.

* Over 500 small-scale activities have provided communities with tangible benefits and experience in planning and meeting their development needs. For example: boarding houses built for school children; district libraries established and providing resources to communities; people access clean water from tanks and pipes; sports facilities built for youth; vegetable gardens provide income for village women; facilities built for youth training. * Links between Timorese NGOs / community organisations and Australian friendship groups and NGOs strengthened. Australians have more awareness of development needs in Timor Leste.