The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Senegal, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau (2022)

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

Program description

The CFLI program is designed to support small-scale, high-impact projects in developing countries—projects that 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 Can$30,000 to Can$60,000. Consult the Bank of Canada’s 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

• All projects must be completed between the signing date of the contribution agreement and February 28, 2023. Please note that in some cases, we might ask that completion of projects be done by February 14, 2023).
• The deadline for submission is April 29, 2022, at 23:59 (GMT). Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered. Proposals should be submitted via email to Ibrahima.kasse@international.gc.ca with a copy to DAKARCFLI/FCIL@international.gc.ca.
• Only those proposals using the designated application form and including the required budget document will be considered
• To obtain an application form and budget document template, or to obtain information about the application process, please contact the CFLI coordinator by email at Ibrahima.kasse@international.gc.ca and copy DAKARCFLI/FCIL@international.gc.ca.
• 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
• 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 on their merits by a selection committee.

Due to the large number of applicants, only the successful candidates will be contacted.

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

Projects spanning 2 fiscal years (ending February 2024) may be permitted on a very exceptional basis, depending on the project objectives and the complexity of activities. Note that the average CFLI contribution will remain the same regardless of the project’s duration.

Given the global threat posed by the current COVID-19 pandemic and the difficulty that organizations have in implementing traditional programming in this context, the projects selected will have to take into account the limits imposed by local restrictions on social distancing and ensure the health and well-being of the representatives of the organizations, the beneficiaries and their communities.

Organizations eligible to apply for CFLI funding

Eligible recipients include:

• local non-governmental, community and not-for-profit organizations
• local academic institutions working on local projects
• international non-governmental organizations working on local development activities
• 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
• 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, may be eligible for funding, provided they are working with local partners and on local projects that are consistent with the CFLI’s objectives. The CFLI is always looking to fund innovative projects that deliver measurable results.

Thematic priorities

All projects must align with at least 1 of the following CFLI thematic priorities:

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

Gender-based analysis

In 2017, Canada adopted a Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The FIAP was deemed 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 these 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 charges
• equipment rental, and/or purchase charges (only when the purchase is required to meet project objectives and reflects good value for money, and for which the recipient has a strong care-and-maintenance plan in place for equipment sustainability)
• 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, including stipends
• 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:

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