Grants and Contributions Transformation Initiative

On this page:

• Benefits
• Timeline
• Background

We have a 5-year plan (2023 to 2028) to streamline and modernize our grants and contributions system for international assistance.  

The initiative’s goal is to make the system more:

• efficient
• effective
• transparent
• responsive
• accountable

It will serve the needs of:

• programs that Canada funds
• partners
• all Canadians

We will focus on:

• minimizing the administrative burden, making it easier to apply for assistance
• improving risk assessments
• making performance data more current and easier to share

Benefits

• Focusing on performance - International assistance projects will take less time to administer, which will provide more time to monitor their performance.
• Greater impact - Canadians will benefit from a system that emphasizes achieving greater value for every dollar invested.
• Partners will invest less time and money - It will be easier to apply for Canadian international assistance funding. Partners will receive a response to their proposals faster. Once funding has been approved, partners will spend less time on administrative tasks for their projects.
• Evidence-based decision making - This will provide more accurate and current data about projects in relation to:
  • partners
  • themes
  • countries
  • regions
  This will help make better funding decisions.

Timeline

The Grants and Contributions Transformation Initiative is divided into 3 phases.

1. Foundations

   Phase 1 is a rethink of the way we capture, manage and share the information needed to deliver programs, including:

   • harmonizing our risk-management and project-management processes
   • creating a governance framework
   • establishing a secure system for collecting data

2. Automation

   Phase 2 identifies and develops ways to reduce administrative tasks, allowing the focus to be put on what matters, including automated workloads and task management. It will also provide better financial management and reporting.

3. Customization

   Phase 3 introduces solutions for which we do not yet have the tools nor the ability to implement, such as:

   • automating processes at the project level
   • managing data from multiple sources
   • providing a virtual space for the Government of Canada and its stakeholders to share information

Overall

We are transforming our grants and contributions system by:

• replacing and automating outdated technology
• streamlining business processes

As this initiative advances, we will rethink our approach to international assistance. We are committed to integrating the principles of diversity, inclusion and cooperation into every exchange and process.

Background

The Grants and Contributions Transformation Initiative addresses commitments made in Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy:

• streamline and accelerate funding and reporting procedures of grants and contributions
• reduce the administrative burden on recipients of funding
• be more responsible, transparent and predictable

In his mandate letter to the Minister of International Development, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked that we improve the way we manage and deliver international development assistance.

Modernizing the Government of Canada’s grants and contribution system will create positive change in people’s lives around the world.

If you have questions or comments, email the Grants and Contributions Transformation Initiative team at GC-Transformation@international.gc.ca.

Related links

• Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy
• Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada Mandate Letter