The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives - Pakistan

The High Commission of Canada in Pakistan is pleased to launch a new call for proposals for innovative locally designed initiatives under the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

This call is for small-scale high impact project proposals designed to advance the following thematic priorities:

• human rights with a focus on the rights of minorities and freedom of media.
• peace and security, with a focus on reducing extremism and its associated impact on regional security.
• environment and climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation, or on water management.

Please read the information below carefully to determine if your organization and project are eligible for consideration.  

Program Description

The CFLI program is designed to support small-scale, high-impact projects in developing countries, which align with Global Affairs Canada’s thematic priority areas for engagement, and which support positive bilateral relations between Canada and Pakistan and its civil society by deepening contacts and supporting local endeavours.

The program is directed at projects conceived and designed predominantly by local partners.

Projects are selected and approved by the Canadian High Commission in Islamabad.

This call is the second of two calls for proposals for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) for 2020-21. The first call for proposals, which closed on June 14, 2020, focused on COVID-19 related projects.

Normally, CFLI project funding is approximately $20,000 CAD per project. Consult the currency converter for local currency equivalents. Smaller or larger projects may also be considered, depending on the proposed initiative and assessed capacity of the implementing partner. Please note that all contributions are made in Canadian dollars and then converted to the local currency.

How to apply

• All projects must be completed between the date of signature of the Contribution Agreement and February 28, 2021.
• The deadline for submission was July 23, 2020 at 23:59 (GMT+5). Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
• Only those proposals using the designated application form and including the required budget document will be considered.
• For more information on the types of activities and costs that are eligible for CFLI funding, please refer to the list of CFLI approved activities and costs below.
• Proposals must be completed in English or French.
• Project proposals must explicitly answer all questions in the CFLI project application form, including the required gender-based analysis. The proposed project budget should summarize the proposed activities and associated costs.
• Applications will be assessed for approval on their merits by a selection committee.
• Due to the large number of applicants, only the successful candidates will be contacted.
• Questions about the application process can be addressed to: ISBAD-CFLI-FCIL@international.gc.ca

Organizations eligible to apply for CFLI funding

The CFLI looks to fund innovative projects that deliver measurable results.

Eligible recipients include:

• Local, national or community-based organization (non-governmental and not-for-profit)
• Local municipal, regional or national government institution or agency of the recipient country
• Local academic institution
• Canadian organization (non-governmental or not-for-profit) that is working on local development activities
• International or regional organization (non-governmental or not-for-profit) that is working on local development activities
• Intergovernmental or multilateral institution, organization or agency working on local development activities

The majority of CFLI funding will 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 may 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 and national government institutions may receive funding, provided that their projects are essentially local in nature.

Thematic priorities

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

• human rights with a focus on the rights of minorities and freedom of media.
• peace and security, with a focus on reducing extremism and its associated impact on regional security.
• environment and climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation, or on water management.

Successful proposals should be innovative and high impact and demonstrate a link to larger initiatives or potential for systematic reform. The projects should demonstrate sustainability and community ownership, such as through community participation or in-kind contributions.

Gender-based analysis

In 2017, Canada adopted its 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, the CFLI project application process now requires a gender-based analysis (GBA). The purpose of this change is to enhance the gender equality outcomes of the CFLI program.
A GBA will require applicants to:

• consider how women, girls, men, and boys are affected differently by the problem their project is aiming to address, ensuring, at the same time, that the project does not cause harm
• consult women and/or girls in the development of their project proposal
• ensure that the views of those women and/or girls inform the project’s design

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

Inadequate completion of a GBA may affect the consideration of your proposal. 

Eligible costs

The following project costs are eligible for CFLI funding:

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

The following costs are not eligible for CFLI funding:

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