The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Brazil (2026-2027)

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

Program overview

The CFLI supports small-scale, high-impact projects to advance bilateral relations between Canada and Brazil by deepening contacts and supporting local endeavours through providing civil society (including non-governmental organizations) with project-based funding. Projects selected in 2026-2027 and approved by the Embassy of Canada to Brazil must align with this year’s chosen thematic priority areas of growth that works for everyone & democratic governance and human rights.

The average CFLI contribution is $20,000 to $30,000 Canadian Dollars per fiscal year, up to a maximum of CAD $100,000 per project. Projects can be 1 or 2 years long in duration. Consult the currency converter for local currency equivalents.

Please note that all fund commitments are made in Canadian dollars and then converted to the local currency at each payment, following the dates established in the Contribution Agreement. 

Organizations eligible to apply for Canada fund funding

Most CFLI funding is usually directed to local organizations; however eligible recipients include:

• Brazilian non-governmental, community and not-for-profit organizations
• Brazilian 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 of the recipient country; and
• Canadian non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations that are working on local development activities through a local office

Application process 

• To receive this year’s application form, write to: BRSLACFLI@international.gc.ca
• Applications will be assessed on their merits by a selection committee.
• Only those proposals using the designated application form and including the required budget document will be considered.
• Due to the high volume of applications, only successful applicants will be contacted. 
• Project applications are kept on file at the embassy in accordance with Global Affairs Canada’s information management policies.

Application guidelines 

• Proposals must be completed in the provided template (available in English and French)
• All projects must align with at least one (1) of the following thematic priorities:
  • Growth that works for everyone, including promoting inclusive markets and entrepreneurship, financial security and resilience, and women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, as related to promoting Canada’s economic diplomacy agenda.
  • Democratic Governance and Human Rights, including supporting democratic governance and upholding human rights as related to promoting Canada’s strategic autonomy in the region and fostering enabling environments for economic prosperity, trade and stability.
• Projects spanning 2 fiscal years (2026 to February 2028) are permitted depending on the project objectives and the complexity of activities. The length of the project must be indicated at the application stage and cannot be modified after.
• Two-year projects must clearly demonstrate the need for two years of implementation in their application.
• All project activities must be completed between the date of signature of the Contribution Agreement and February 26, 2027, for single-year projects or February 25, 2028, for two-year projects.
• The project submission process is made through completing the Project Application Form available by emailing BRSLACFLI@international.gc.ca.
• Project proposals must explicitly answer all required questions in the CFLI project application form. The proposed project budget should summarize the proposed activities and associated costs.
• The deadline for submission is August 13, 2026, at 23:59, Brasilia time. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

List of costs

The following project costs are eligible for CFLI funding: 

• administrative costs specifically related to the project
• Overhead costs specifically related to the project (overhead costs related to a project should not exceed 15%)
• capital and/or operating expenditures related to the lease and/or purchase and/or building of infrastructure (for example: office rent specifically relating to the project)
• installation, maintenance, shipping and/or transportation costs, including fuel
• computers and communication devices
• internet costs specifically relating to the project
• salary costs relating to the project
• 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
• security costs
• translation and interpretation fees
• 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 project costs are not eligible for CFLI funding: 

• purchase of vehicles
• nuclear technologies and facilities
• assistance to military or paramilitary organizations
• gifts
• luxury goods
• direct fiscal support to a government
• core funding or recurrent costs of an organization
• revolving funds, (that is, funds used to advance loans to individuals, such as microfinance)
• expenses incurred prior to the signing of the CA, or after it expires