The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives in Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) supports small-scale, high-impact projects, in developing countries. The program is directed at projects conceived and designed predominantly by local partners. Projects are selected and approved by the relevant Canadian Embassy or High Commission.

Thematic Priorities

All projects must align with at least one of the following CFLI thematic priorities:

For Côte d’Ivoire:

• Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
• Inclusive governance, including diversity, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
• Peace and security, with a focus on conflict prevention and building peace.

For Liberia:

• Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
• Growth that works for everyone, including women’s economic rights, decent jobs and entrepreneurship, investing in the poorest and most vulnerable, and safeguarding economic gains.

Organizations eligible to apply for CFLI Funding

Within the context of eligible countries, eligible recipients include:

• 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 (including non-governmental organizations) and other institutions working at the local level. Other entities, such as international, intergovernmental, multilateral and regional organizations can be eligible for funding, provided 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 funding, provided that their projects are essentially local in nature. The CFLI is always looking to fund innovative projects, which deliver measurable results.

Gender-Based Analysis (GBA)

In 2017, Canada adopted a Feminist International Assistance Policy to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as the most effective way to reduce poverty and build a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous world. In alignment with this policy, a Gender-Based Analysis will be a required element of the CFLI project application process. The purpose of this change is to enhance the gender equality outcomes of the CFLI Program.

A Gender-Based Analysis will require applicants to: a) consider how women, girls, men, and boys are affected differently by the problem their project is aiming to address, including to ensure the project does not cause harm, b) consult women and/or girls in the development of their project proposal, and c) ensure that those views inform the project design. 

Consultations can include, but are not limited to: speaking to women and girls from the local community; speaking to women and other individuals who work for civil society organizations that have worked in the local community; speaking to female and male decision and change-makers, who have knowledge of the local community.

Inadequate completion of a Gender-Based Analysis may affect the consideration of your proposal. 

Two Year Programming

Projects spanning two fiscal years (April 2019- March 2021) may be permitted depending on the project objectives and complexity of activities. 

Eligible Costs

The following costs are eligible within projects for CFLI funding:

• administrative and overhead costs specifically related to the project (overhead costs should not exceed 15% of total CFLI contribution),
• capital and/or operating expenditures related to the lease and/or purchase and/or building of infrastructure,
• installation, maintenance, shipping and/or transportation costs, including fuel, computers and communication devices,
• civic education costs,
• conference and event expenditures,
• hospitality costs, excluding alcoholic beverages
• training and capacity building expenditures,
• costs of services received by recipients,
• outreach, communication and information dissemination costs,
• environmental assessment costs,
• advocacy and lobbying related costs,
• legal costs,
• accounting costs,
• medical costs,
• publishing costs,
• radio and television broadcast fees,
• facilities and equipment rental charges,
• research-related costs,
• salary costs relating to the project,
• security costs,
• translation and interpretation fees,
• domestic travel expenses, using lowest fares possible but not exceeding full fare economy class
• lease or rental of vehicles,
• vehicle and equipment operation, installation and/or maintenance,
• website development and related costs,
• miscellaneous expenses integral to the project.

The following costs are not eligible for CFLI funding:

• core funding;
• expenses incurred prior to the signing of the contribution agreement, or after it expires;
• nuclear technologies and facilities;
• assistance to military or paramilitary organizations;
• gifts;
• luxury goods;
• direct fiscal support to a government.

A targeted call for proposal is held every year in April/May.  You can submit your application for funding for 2019-2020 by completing the project application including a Gender Based Analysis and budget forms with necessary details about project activities and spending. Note that only complete applications and submitted using the designated application form and budget template will be considered. To obtain an application form please send a request to abdjngr@international.gc.ca.

All applications must be submitted by end of day Friday May 3, 2019, to the email: abdjngr@international.gc.ca. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Contributions may range up to $25,000 CAD per project per year.  All contributions will be made in Canadian dollars.  Please consult a currency converter for local currency equivalents. Larger projects may be considered on an exceptional basis.

Project applications are kept on file at missions in accordance with Global Affairs Canada’s information management policies.

Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.