1.The Overseas Community Affairs Council (hereinafter referred to as the “OCAC”) has established these Guidelines to provide subsidies to associations of overseas compatriot graduates for strengthening liaison and services, conducting academic research, advancing career development, undertaking charitable and public-interest activities, providing humanitarian care, participating in international organizations, and promoting cultural, educational, economic, and trade activities.
2.For the purposes of these Guidelines, associations of overseas compatriot graduates refer to associations that have applied to and registered with the OCAC or are in the process of formation.
3.Associations of overseas compatriot graduates applying for subsidies for their activities shall meet the following conditions: A.Their positions shall align with government policies, and they shall support policies promoted by our government. B.They maintain regular contact with the OCAC and overseas representative offices. C.They hold a good reputation within local overseas compatriot communities. D.They have sound organizational structures and a record of concrete achievements in their activities.
4.Associations of overseas compatriot graduates shall use subsidies received from the OCAC for the following purposes: A.Organizing activities that help promote people-to-people diplomacy, enhance our national image, and assist the government in promoting participation in international organizations. B.Organizing activities that help foster unity among associations of overseas compatriot graduates and advance their cultural, educational, and economic and trade development. C.Organizing activities that encourage associations of overseas compatriot graduates to undertake charitable and public-interest work, provide humanitarian care, and promote cultural excellence and innovation.
5.Procedures and requirements for subsidy applications by associations of overseas compatriot graduates are as follows: A.Applicants shall complete the Application Form for Activity Funding for Associations of Overseas Compatriot Graduates (Annex 1) and submit it through an overseas representative office, an overseas compatriot organization, or an entity commissioned by the OCAC for review and forwarding to the OCAC for approval. Applicants in areas without any such representative office, organization, or commissioned entity may apply directly to the OCAC. B.Applications shall be submitted one month before the activity, together with an activity plan and an estimated budget, to facilitate review. C.Applicants seeking subsidies from two or more government agencies for the same project shall disclose the full budget and specify the items and amounts for which subsidies are sought from each agency. In the event of concealment, misrepresentation, or falsification, the OCAC may revoke the subsidy approval and recover funds already disbursed. D.If the use of subsidy funds yields poor results, deviates from the approved purposes, or involves false or inflated expense claims, the recipient shall return the affected portion of the subsidy. The OCAC may also suspend acceptance of subsidy applications for one to five years, depending on the severity of the circumstances. E.Any procurement involving subsidy funds shall be conducted in accordance with the Government Procurement Act and other applicable provisions.
6.Where the OCAC determines upon review that an applicant meets the requirements of Point 3, it may determine the subsidy amount in light of the purposes for which funding is requested and its annual budget, with reference to the opinions of overseas representative offices, entities commissioned by the OCAC, or overseas compatriot organizations.
7.Associations of overseas compatriot graduates receiving subsidies from the OCAC shall use the funds in accordance with the approved application form and activity plan. Within one month from the day following the conclusion of the activity, they shall submit the following documents to the OCAC for expenditure verification and settlement. However, if fewer than 30 days remain between that day and the end of the fiscal year in which the subsidy is granted (December 31), expenditure verification and settlement shall be completed by December 31. A.Activity Results Report Form for Associations of Overseas Compatriot Graduates (Annex 2). B.Income and Expenditure List for OCAC Public Funds Grants to Groups and Individuals (Annex 3). C.The original supporting documents for expenditures covered by the OCAC subsidy. For associations located overseas, the results report form referred to in Subparagraph (1) of the preceding paragraph shall first be verified, signed, and stamped by the relevant overseas representative office.
8.When completing expenditure verification and settlement, subsidized associations of overseas compatriot graduates receiving subsidies from two or more government agencies for the same project shall specify the actual subsidy amount received from each agency. Where special circumstances require a subsidized association to retain the original supporting documents, the OCAC may, after obtaining approval from the audit authority, accept a receipt for settlement without requiring submission of the relevant supporting documents. Subsidized associations retaining original supporting documents shall properly preserve and destroy them in accordance with the Accounting Act. Before destroying documents whose retention periods have expired, associations shall notify the OCAC by letter for referral to the audit authority for approval. In cases of early destruction, damage, or loss, associations shall explain the reasons and the measures taken and notify the OCAC by letter for referral to the audit authority for approval. If an association is found to have failed to comply with these requirements, the OCAC may reduce subsequent subsidies or suspend subsidies for one to five years, depending on the severity of the circumstances.
9.The amount of surplus funds to be returned for projects subsidized by the OCAC shall be calculated in the currency of the subsidy as follows, except where the OCAC determines that the subsidy is a fixed-amount (fixed-period) subsidy or an annual administrative expense subsidy, in which case calculation of surplus funds may be waived: A.Where a subsidized association’s total expenditure is greater than or equal to its total income, its actual expenditure is at least 30% lower than the original estimated budget, and the OCAC subsidy is at least US$5,000 (or EUR 3,800, JPY 490,000, AUD 4,800, or NT$150,000), the subsidy amount shall be recalculated using the originally approved subsidy ratio (i.e., the ratio of the approved subsidy amount to the original estimated budget), and the resulting surplus shall be calculated and returned. B.Where a subsidized association’s total expenditure is less than its total income, the portion of the surplus to be returned shall be calculated using the originally approved subsidy ratio.
10.Other requirements: A.If a subsidized association of overseas compatriot graduates fails to carry out its activities in accordance with the approved application and activity plan, or fails to comply with Points 7, 8, or 9, the OCAC may decline to accept further applications from the association for funding of the same nature. B.When requesting payment, subsidized associations shall act in good faith and be responsible for ensuring that the expenditures represented by the supporting documents were actually incurred and that the documents are authentic. They shall bear the relevant liability for any misrepresentation. C.Matters not provided for in these Guidelines shall be handled in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Guidelines for Central Government Agencies on Budget Execution for Subsidies (Donations) to Private Organizations and Individuals. |