APPLICATIONS FOR AUSTRALIA-IDONESIA INSTITUTE GRANTS INVITED

Jakarta, Sept 9 (ANTARA) - The Australia Indonesia Institute in the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade invites applicants from Indonesia and Australia to submit funding proposals for projects designed to contribute to a more broadly based and enduring relationship between Australia and Indonesia.

According an Australian Embassy press release made available to Antara on Tuesday, the projects should involve a substantial new initiative of relevance to the Institutes's objective of promoting a growing and deepening relationship between Australia and Indonesia. Both individuals and organizations may apply for grants.

The Australia Indonesia Institute Board is scheduled to visit Jakarta and Surabaya in November 2008. The highlight of the Board's visit to Indonesia this year will be celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the institutes's founding.

"Over the past two decades, the Institute has fulfilled a unique and vital role in fostering friendship and understanding between our two nations," said Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer.

"In the new era of Australia-Indonesia relations, with deeper and broader engagement across many sectors, the work of the Institute is more relevant and important than ever," the Ambassador added.

Established in 1989 by the Australian Government to promote bilateral people-to-people links, the Institute supports a very large number of projects in the arts, education, youth, civil society, inter-faith, media and sports sectors.

Applications must be received by the AII Secretariat by 19 September 2008.

Further information about grant applications is available at: http://www.dfat.gov.au/aii/