The CFLI (Canada Fund for Local Initiatives) is a program that supports small-scale, high-impact projects in developing countries that correspond to Global Affairs Canada’s thematic priority areas for engagement.
The program focuses on projects conceived and designed primarily by local partners. Projects are chosen and approved by the appropriate Canadian embassy or high commission. The CFLI also promotes positive bilateral relations between Canada and recipient countries and their civil societies by strengthening contacts and supporting local initiatives.

Important Details:

• Organized by: Government of Canada
• Deadline: February 12, 2024
• Type: Fund
• Gender: Any
• Eligible Countries: Development Countries (Afghanistan included)

Thematic Priorities:

All projects must adhere to at least one of the following CFLI thematic priorities:

• Gender equality and empowerment for women and girls.
• Growth that benefits everyone, including women’s economic rights, good jobs and entrepreneurship, investing in the poorest and most vulnerable, and protecting economic gains.
• Inclusive governance encompasses diversity and 2SLGBTQI+, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
• Environmental and climate action centered on adaptation and mitigation.

Prize:

• The maximum allocation amount for a project eligible under CFLI is CAD$100,000. The average CFLI contribution is between $25,000 and $35,000 Canadian dollars.

Eligibility Criteria:

Recipients who qualify include:

• Community-based, non-profit, and local non-governmental organizations.
• Regional academic institutions engaged in regional initiatives.
• Worldwide non-governmental organizations engaged in regional development initiatives.
• Canadian non-profit and non-governmental groups engaged in community development initiatives.

Funding from the CFLI will primarily go to local institutions and civil society groups operating at the local level, including non-governmental organizations. Funding may be available to other organizations, including international, intergovernmental, multilateral, and regional ones, as long as they collaborate with local partners on projects that align with the goals of the CFLI. The CFLI is constantly seeking to provide funding for creative initiatives that yield quantifiable outcomes.

How to Apply?

• All projects must be finished by the date the Contribution Agreement is signed, which must be between March 31, 2026 for two-year projects, and March 31, 2025 for one-year projects.
• Proposals must be sent electronically to the email address below.
• Proposals submitted on the approved application form along with the necessary budget document will be the only ones taken into consideration.
• To verify their official status, organizations must have all necessary legal documentation (bank account, balance sheets, bylaws, and other legal documents) easily accessible.
• The completed proposals must be in either Spanish, French, or English.

Submission Email: [email protected]

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For more details, kindly visit the Canada Government’s website.