A program called the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives provides funding to small-scale, high-impact projects in developing nations that align with the thematic focus areas of involvement for Global Affairs Canada.

The initiative’s primary focus is on projects that are conceived and planned by regional partners. Projects are selected and given the go-ahead by the relevant high commission or Canadian embassy. By fostering stronger linkages and providing funding for regional projects, the CFLI also fosters positive bilateral relations between Canada and recipient nations as well as their civic communities.

Brief Details:

• Provided by: Government of Canada
• Deadline: 9 June 2024
• Duration:  2 years (mid 2024 to February 2026)
• Gender: Any
• Type: Fund
• Eligible Nations: All

Thematic Priorities:

Only entries that at least partially address one of the specified theme goals will be taken into consideration this year.

• Women and Girls’ Empowerment through Gender Equality:
  • Tackling sexual and gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation and child, early, and forced marriage; supporting strong,
  • Enduring movements and organizations for women’s rights;
  • Advocating for the implementation of evidence-based laws, regulations, and gender equality programs.
• Growth for everyone’s benefit, like:
  • Maintaining financial gains, supporting women’s economic rights, equal work opportunities, and entrepreneurship, as well as making investments in the most marginalized and vulnerable
  • Advancing the economic rights and leadership of women
  • Promoting inclusive markets and entrepreneurship
  • Promoting tenacity and financial stability

Similar Opportunities:

• Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Algeria 2024 (Up to CAD$31,000)
• Work and Travel in Canada with International Experience Canada (IEC) Program
• Canada Provincial Nominee Program for Skilled Workers

Benefits:

• The average donation to CFLI is between CAD $25,000 and CAD $50,000. Under certain conditions, projects up to CAD $100,000 might be taken into consideration.

Eligibility Criteria:

Eligible recipients include:

• Local, nonprofit, and community-based non-governmental organizations
• International non-governmental organizations involved in regional development projects, regional academic institutions addressing regional concerns,
• Municipal, regional, or federal government institutions or agencies of the recipient country working on local projects;
• Non-governmental and nonprofit organizations in Canada involved in local development initiatives; and intergovernmental, multinational, and regional establishments, groups, and departments involved in local development initiatives.

Eligible Costs:

The project expenses listed below qualify for CFLI funding:

• Costs associated with research
• Costs of security
• Fees for interpretation and translation
• Costs associated with developing a website
• Accounting expenses
• Fee for broadcasting on radio and television
• Salary expenditures for the project, including stipends,
• Expenses for capacity building and training
• Expenses for capital and/or operations associated with leasing, buying, or constructing infrastructure
• Costs associated with civic education
• Expenses associated with conferences and events
• Legal fees
• Medical expenses
• Other costs necessary for the project
• Operation, installation, and/or maintenance of vehicles and equipment
• Domestic travel costs, utilizing the cheapest tickets available, but not going over the full cost of economy class
• Costs associated with environmental assessments
• Fees for facilities,
• Project-related administrative and overhead expenses (which shouldn’t account for more than 15% of the overall CFLI contribution)
• Costs associated with lobbying and advocacy
• Costs of hospitality, not including alcoholic drinks
• Installation, upkeep, shipping, and/or transportation expenses (fuel, computers, and communication equipment included).
• Recipients’ costs for the services they received
• Vehicle rentals or leases
• Costs associated with outreach, communication, and information sharing
• Costs of publishing
• Equipment rental or purchase (but only if it’s necessary to achieve project goals, represents good value for the money, and the recipient has a robust care and maintenance program in place to ensure the equipment’s sustainability).

CFLI funding is not available for the following expenses:

• Recurrent expenses or core support for an organization
• Expensive items, costs incurred before the contribution agreement is signed or after it expires
• Direct funding assistance to a government,
• Nuclear facilities and technology,
• Support for paramilitary or military groups,
• Presents,
• Microfinance and/or seed money.

How to Apply?

• Completed proposals may only be submitted in French or English.
• All questions in the CFLI project application form, including the mandatory gender-based analysis, must be addressed in detail in project proposals. The suggested activities and related expenses should be enumerated in the project budget.
• Proposals submitted using the official application form, along with the completed risk matrix and suggested budget sections, are the only ones that will be taken into consideration.
• Proposals should be submitted electronically to below email:

                          Submission Email: [email protected]

Also, Check These Opportunities:

• Kazan Global Youth Summit 2024 in Russia- Fully Funded
• Rainforest Journalism Fund Internship by Pulitzer Center 2024
• Visiting Scholars Program at the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society (RCC) in Germany
• The Mira Fellowship for Mid-career Professionals

For more details, please contact: [email protected], or refer to The Canada Fund’s website.