Promote – Strengthen – Value

DFAT Foundations, Councils and Institutes

DFAT Foundations, Councils and Institutes programs and networks support our international objectives, extend our global reach, and amplify our message. Reflecting the nature of modern Australia, they grow Australian influence through seeding positive impressions of Australian capability, fostering people-to-people links and cultivating the next generation of global leaders.

Our plan

Australia and the Republic of Korea are natural partners with a strong bilateral relationship based on a long history of working together for mutually beneficial outcomes. The 2021 Australia-Republic of Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) establishes the foundations of enhanced bilateral cooperation under three pillars – strategic and security; economic, innovation and technology; and people-to-people exchange. It is important to continue to develop and grow the relationship between the two countries, by creating opportunities to increase the capacity for Australians to establish and maintain enduring links with Korea.

The Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF) Strategic Plan 2025-2030 provides an overview of the foundation's strategic direction for the coming years. The AKF will support Australia's foreign policy and economic diplomacy objectives by taking forward initiatives under the CSP pillars. It is focused on building awareness and understanding of the social, economic and strategic opportunities in both Australia and Korea, strengthening and building on people-to-people links between the two countries, and engaging on the basis of mutual benefit and respect.

Our approach

The purpose of the AKF is to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Australia and Korea. To succeed, the AKF recognises it must:

• Support implementation of annual AKF activities including the grant round and the Korea Australia Future Forum, which support the vision of the strategic plan in key priority areas
• Support flagship projects developed by the Board that are aligned to the AKF strategic objectives
• Promote and build capacity for Australia to establish and maintain enduring links with Korea
• Promote a modern and positive image of Australia, and work collaboratively with stakeholders, acting with mutual respect, transparency and honesty
• Be forward looking and adapt to a changing policy environment; and
• Respect the cultural, linguistic, historical, religious and geographical diversity of Australian and Korean societies.

Our vision

To strengthen the Australia-Korea relationship in ways that enhance and promote mutual understanding and enduring people-to-people links.

Australia – Republic of Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

• Strategic and Security Cooperation
• Economic, Innovation and Technology Cooperation
• Enhancing People-to-People Links

Australia-Korea Foundation

Promote

Cross cultural collaboration and people-to-people links

• Strategic goals – Where we want to be
  • Partnerships and innovations in contemporary and emerging areas within all sectors, including education, arts and culture, prioritising diversity and inclusion across all areas.
  • Promote an understanding of our deep ties with Korea (diplomatic, economic, cultural and historical).
• Strategic focus – how we will do it
  • Foster cooperation in areas of interest to both Australia and Korea.
  • Promote and encourage dialogue and exchange in areas that improve the bilateral relationship, including in a regional context.
• Strategic initiatives –  what we do
  • Facilitate cultural connections and understanding.
  • Promote, host, and attend events, activities and formal and non-formal meetings.

Technological, scientific & educational innovation

• Strategic goals – Where we want to be
  • Cooperative projects and programs promoting research & development in areas of mutual interest, including environment, resources and energy, climate, agriculture, health and technology.
  • Flagship projects led by the AKF Board.
• Strategic focus – how we will do it
  • Provide funding for activities in partnership with other organisations.
  • Capitalise on partnerships which increase the value of activities.
• Strategic initiatives – what we do
  • Have the right people/organisations applying for grants.
  • Maximise interactions with Korea based organisations and universities

Strengthen

Strategic international relations

• Strategic goals – Where we want to be
  • Greater public awareness of Australian excellence, expertise and innovation in Korea.
  • Promote programs, policies and opportunities with institutions and partners active in Australia-Korea relations.
• Strategic focus – how we will do it
  • Take every opportunity to support and raise awareness of  opportunities in Australia and Korea to enhance mutual understanding
• Strategic initiatives – what we do
  • Challenge and change public perceptions through programs and activities.

Trade and business collaborations

• Strategic goals – Where we want to be
  • Increased collaboration between the Australian and Korean business communities.
  • Strong professional, community and institutional linkages.
• Strategic focus – how we will do it
  • Facilitate knowledge partnerships and increase two-way business literacy.
• Strategic initiatives –  what we do
  • Support business research and strategies for Australian companies to engage with Korea and vice versa.

Value

Respect

• Strategic goals – Where we want to be
  • A Foundation that is valued, respected, understood and impactful.
  • Highly valued by Government as a direct link and support for strategic objectives.
• Strategic focus – how we will do it
  • Increase public awareness of the AKF through media, outreach and events.
• Strategic initiatives –  what we do
  • Communicate with government, industry, and community on a range of activities and programs undertaken by the AKF.

Mutually beneficial opportunities & outcomes

• Strategic goals – Where we want to be
  • Sharing knowledge and ideas that strengthen the Australia-Korea relationship.
  • Cultivate the next generation of leaders to enhance the Australia-Korea relationship.
• Strategic focus – how we will do it
  • Encourage next-gen participation in activities, programs, and events.
  • Create and strengthen networks, contacts, partnerships and institutional linkages, including with diaspora and alumni.
• Strategic initiatives – what we do
  • Host and participate in forums and events, creating opportunity to generate ideas and discussion with the intention to strengthen the Australia-Korea relationship.

Measuring our success

Promote

• Increased diversity of AKF funded entities under the annual grants round ¹
• Increased impact of AKF funded projects or activities
• Increased proportion of first-time grantees under the annual grants round
• Increased media coverage and social media interest as reported by the AKF Board, Secretariat and grantees ²

Strengthen

• Percentage of completed and correctly acquitted AKF funded projects or activities
• Reported number of relationships strengthened through the annual grants round
• Clear alignment between AKF activities, projects and events and CSP pillars.

Value

• Reported total number of participants in all AKF events and funded projects
• Reported total amount of funding (dollars and in-kind) leveraged through the AKF grant funding
• AKF Board is viewed as a valued, respected, understood and impactful entity.