The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan

The Embassy of Canada in Ankarais pleased to launch its annual call for proposals for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

Program Description

The CFLI is a program designed to support small-scale, high-impact projects in communities, which align with Global Affairs Canada’s thematic priority areas for engagement. 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. The CFLI also serves to support positive bilateral relations between Canada and recipient countries and their civil societies, by deepening contacts and supporting local endeavours.

The average CFLI contribution is $20,000 to $40,000 Canadian Dollars. Larger projects will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Consult the currency converter for local currency equivalents. Please note that all contributions are made in Canadian dollars and then converted to the local currency.

How to apply

• The deadline for submission was June 12, 2020, at 11:59 pm (GMT+3). Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
• Only those proposals using the designated PDF application form will be considered.
• Proposals must be completed in English or French.
• All project activities must be completed between the date of signature of the Contribution Agreement and February 28, 2021. Projects spanning two fiscal years (until March 2022) may be considered on an exceptional case-by-case basis, depending on the complexity of the activities and program objectives.
• 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. Funds requested for professional fees and project staff should not exceed 15% of the contribution sought. A more detailed budget will be requested at a later date.
• Applications should include clear strategies to mitigate COVID-19, such as online activity alternatives, in Section 8 of the application form.
• 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.
• Please advise if your organization would be comfortable with the promotion of your project on our website and/or on social media (note: this will not have an impact on selection, but is important to ensure we are aware of any sensitivities with promotional activities).
• Applications will be assessed for approval on their merits by a selection committee.
• Due to the large number of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• For questions about the application process, please contact CFLI Coordinator John Wins-Purdy at ankracfli@international.gc.ca.

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 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 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. The CFLI is always looking to fund innovative projects that deliver measurable results.

Thematic priorities

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

• 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
• human dignity, covering health, education and nutrition
• 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
• environment and climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation, as well as on water management

A greater emphasis will be placed on local projects, especially those conducted outside of major cities. Moreover, exceptionally for this cycle, there will be a new emphasis on the priority of “human dignity, covering health” to address COVID-19 response and recovery, especially those projects linking COVID-19 responsealongside any other thematic priorities.

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.

For more information on the priority themes for Canada’s international assistance, please consult Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.

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