The Canadian Embassy in Senegal, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau is pleased to launch its annual call for proposals for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

Programme Description

CFLI is a programme designed to support small-scale, high-impact projects in developing countries that align with Global Affairs Canada's priority thematic areas of engagement. The programme targets projects conceived and designed predominantly by local partners. Projects are selected and approved by the relevant Canadian embassy or high commission. CFLI also serves to support positive bilateral relations between Canada and the beneficiary countries and their civil societies by deepening contacts and supporting local endeavours.

The average CFLI contribution is US$ 30,000 to US$ 60,000 Canadian dollars (CAD$ 100,000 is the maximum allocation for an eligible project under the CFLI). The value of the proposed project must be equivalent to the level of effort proposed and the organisational capacity to deliver the proposed results. Proposals must be submitted in Canadian dollars, with a clear link to conversion rates. See  currency converter  to obtain local currency equivalents. Please note that all contributions are made in Canadian dollars and then converted into the local currency.

How to apply

• All projects must be completed between the date of signature of the Contribution Agreement and the date of entry into force of the Contribution Agreement.  28 February 2025 (two-year projects must be completed by 28 February 2026).
• The deadline for submissions is 5 April 2024 at 23:59 (GMT). Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
• Proposals should be sent electronically to:  DAKARCFLI-FCIL@international.gc.ca
• Only proposals that use the designated application form and include the required budget document will be considered.
• For more information on the types of activities and costs eligible for CFLI funding, see the list of activities and costs approved by the CFLI.
• Proposals must be completed in English or French.
• Project proposals must explicitly answer all the questions on the CFLI project application form, including the required gender-based analysis. The proposed project budget should summarise 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 successful candidates will be contacted.
• To obtain an application form, download the  CFLI Project Funding Application Form (PDF 249.15 KB) .
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• To receive a sample quotation or for any questions about the enrolment process, please contact the CFLI Coordinator by e-mail at DAKARCFLI-FCIL@international.gc.ca
• Project applications are kept on file at the missions in accordance with Global Affairs Canada's information management policies.
• A two-year programme: Projects covering 2 fiscal years (April 2024 to March 2026) may be permitted depending on the objectives of the project and the complexity of the activities.

Organisations eligible to apply for CFLI funding

Eligible recipients include:

• Local non-governmental, community and non-profit organisations,
• Local academic institutions working on local projects,
• International non-governmental organisations working on local development activities,
• Intergovernmental, multilateral and regional institutions, organisations and agencies working on local development activities,
• Municipal, regional or national government institutions or agencies in the beneficiary country working on local projects, and
• Canadian non-governmental and non-profit organisations working on local development activities.

The majority of CFLI funding should go to local civil society organisations (including non-governmental organisations) and other institutions working at local level. Other entities, such as international, intergovernmental, multilateral and regional organisations, may be eligible for funding, as long as they work with local partners and on local projects that are consistent with CFLI's objectives. Similarly, municipal, regional and national government institutions can receive funding, provided their projects are essentially local in nature. The CFLI always seeks to fund innovative projects that produce measurable results.

Thematic priorities

All projects must be aligned with at least one 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, and in particular the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV);
• Growth that works for everyone.

Gender-based analysis

In 2017, Canada adopted its Feminist International Assistance Policy to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as the most effective way to reduce poverty and build a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous world. In line with this policy, the CFLI project application process now requires a gender-based analysis (GBA). The aim of this change is to improve the gender equality results of the CFLI programme.

A GBA will require candidates to:

• consider how women, girls, men and boys are affected differently by the problem your project aims to solve, while ensuring that the project does no harm,
• consult women and/or girls in the development of their project proposal,
• ensure that the opinions of these women and/or girls inform the design of the project.

Note that consultations may include, but are not limited to, talking to women and girls from the local community, women and other individuals working for civil society organisations who have worked in the local community, and women and men decision-makers and change-makers who have knowledge of the local community.

Inadequate completion of a GBA can affect the consideration of your proposal.

Eligible costs

The following project costs are eligible for CFLI funding:

• accounting costs,
• administrative and general costs related to the project (overheads must not exceed 15% of the total CFLI contribution),
• costs related to advocacy and lobbying,
• capital and/or operating expenses related to the lease and/or purchase and/or construction of infrastructure,
• civic education costs,
• conference and event expenses,
• costs of the services received by the recipients,
• domestic travel expenses, using the lowest possible fares, but not exceeding the full economy class fare,
• environmental assessment costs,
• installation fees,
• rental and/or purchase of equipment (only when the purchase is necessary to meet the project objectives, reflects good value for money and the recipient has a strong care and maintenance plan in place for the sustainability of the equipment),
• hospitality costs, excluding alcoholic beverages,
• installation, maintenance, shipping and/or transport costs, including fuel,
• computers and communication devices,
• renting or leasing vehicles,
• legal costs,
• medical costs,
• miscellaneous project expenses,
• costs of publicising, communicating and disseminating information,
• publication costs,
• radio and television broadcasting fees,
• research-related costs,
• salary costs, including stipends, related to the project,
• security costs,
• training and capacity building expenses,
• translation and interpreting fees,
• operation, installation and/or maintenance of vehicles and equipment,
• website development and related costs,

The following costs  no are eligible for CFLI funding:

• nuclear technologies and installations,
• assistance to military or paramilitary organisations,
• present,
• luxury products,
• direct fiscal support to a government,
• start-up and/or microfinance,
• core funding or recurring costs of an organisation
• expenses incurred before the signing of the contribution agreement or after its expiry.