The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) funds small but
visible, high impact, results-oriented projects which are proposed and
implemented by local NGOs and other grassroots organizations. CFLI is a
responsive, flexible program. This enables Canada to respond to local
needs by working at the community level. Equally important, the CFLI
serves to strengthen Canada’s relationships with civil society and local
communities and to build networks of contacts in countries around the
world.
The High Commission of Canada in Pretoria manages the CFLI in the following countries: South Africa, Madagascar, Lesotho, Namibia and Mauritius.
What Types of Projects Will CFLI Fund?
Projects
must address the identified needs of local communities in one of the
following countries: South Africa, Madagascar, Lesotho, Namibia and
Mauritius.
Projects must fall within one of the CFLI priorities:
- Championing inclusive and accountable governance, peaceful pluralism and respect for diversity, and human rights;
- Promoting gender equality and empowerment of women and girls;
- Addressing climate change and enhancing environmental sustainability;
- Stimulating sustainable and green economic growth;
- Promoting stability and security.
Emphasis
will be placed on innovative, accountable and sustainable projects.
Initiatives aimed at producing concrete results will be prioritized over
sensitization workshops and training sessions with limited audiences.
The
Canada Fund only provides contributions for project related expenses
covered by a contribution agreement. The Canada Fund does not
cover over-head costs such as those related to the administration of an
organization, ongoing or recurring projects, large-scale construction,
or general budgetary needs.
Available Funding
The average contribution is Canadian $20,000-$30,000.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
- Local non-governmental, community and not-for-profit organizations;
- Local academic institutions working on local projects;
- International, intergovernmental, multilateral and regional institutions, organizations and agencies working on local development activities;
- Municipal, regional or national government institutions or agencies of the recipient country working on local projects; and
- Canadian non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations that are working on local development activities.
The
majority of CFLI funding is to be directed toward local civil society
organizations and other institutions working at the local level. Other
entities, such as international, intergovernmental, multilateral and
regional organizations can be eligible for a contribution, provided that
they are working with local partners and on local projects that are
consistent with the objectives of the CFLI. Similarly, municipal,
regional or national government institutions may receive CFLI funding,
provided that their projects are essentially local in nature.
