The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) provides modest funding for small-scale, high-impact projects in more than 120 countries eligible for official development assistance (ODA). The CFLI has an annual programming budget of $26.8 million, with projects averaging $31,000 each. Projects are planned and implemented mainly by local organizations, and are selected and approved by the relevant Canadian Embassy or High Commission.

On this page

• Background and priorities
• Eligibility requirements
• Calls for proposals

Background and priorities

The CFLI is a unique fund in that most projects are designed and implemented by small, local civil-society organizations. These organizations understand local needs and priorities and are often best placed to respond to them. This increases the overall impact of projects and strengthens engagement in issues that are important to the prosperity and well-being of local communities.

The CFLI funds approximately 650 projects annually. This includes a range of initiatives from training local election monitors, to improving community resiliency to the effects of climate change, to supporting women’s inclusion in local peace negotiations.

By supporting local groups that may not otherwise qualify for funding from larger donors, the CFLI is also helping local civil-society organizations to flourish and succeed.

CFLI projects focus on issues such as:

• Inclusive governance, including diversity, democracy, human rights, 2SLGBTQI+ rights and the rule of law.
• Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
• Peace & 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 & climate action, focusing on adaptation and mitigation, as well as on water management.
• Human dignity, covering health, education and nutrition.

The CFLI also provides modest financing for projects in response to natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

Eligibility requirements

Organizations eligible to apply for CFLI funding include:

• local non-governmental, community and not-for profit organizations
• local academic institutions
• international non-governmental organizations
• intergovernmental, multilateral and regional institutions, organizations and agencies
• municipal, regional or national government institutions or agencies of the recipient country
• Canadian non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations

Local civil society organizations will receive most of the CFLI funding. Nevertheless, other organizations and institutions listed may also apply for funding if they are working with local partners on local projects that meet CFLI objectives.

The CFLI is always looking to fund innovative projects that support meaningful change in communities abroad.

Calls for proposals