The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Rwanda and Burundi (2026)

Program/Opportunity overview

The CFLI is a program designed to support small-scale, high-impact projects in developing countries, 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 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 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.

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 average CFLI contribution is $30,000 to $60,000 Canadian Dollars (CAD$100,000 is the maximum allocation amount for a project eligible under CFLI). 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.

Application process

• 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 English or French.
• All projects must align with at least 1 of the following thematic priorities:
  • Inclusive governance
  • Peace and security
  • Growth that works for everyone
  • Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity
  • Human dignity
• Projects spanning 2 fiscal years (April 2026 to February 2028) may be permitted depending on the project objectives and the complexity of activities.
• All projects will be required to be completed between the date of signature of the Contribution Agreement and February 26, 2027, for single-year project or February 25, 2028, for two-years project.
• Applicants must apply through the Collaboration@International (C@I) portal. To access C@I, applicants must first create a Government of Canada username and password (GCKey). This allows applicants to securely sign in to the portal and set up an organizational profile. Once your profile is created, you can start the application. Applicants must download the application forms, complete them offline and then upload the completed forms in C@I before the deadline.
• C@I is Global Affairs Canada’s new online portal for managing funding opportunities and active projects, including grants, contributions, and financial instruments. If you need support using C@I (for example, creating a GCKey or organizational profile), we invite you to:
  • Visit C@I Support: Frequently asked questions
  • Register for a drop-in support session (Survey Monkey)
  • Contact support at collaboration@international.gc.ca
• For questions about the application process, please contact kgalig@international.gc.ca.
• The deadline for submission is April 6, 2026, at 23:59 (GMT+2). 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 cannot exceed 15% of total project amount)

• 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 vehicle
• 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