We are thrilled to share the following funding announcement, and look forward to sharing more information as it becomes available.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 10
Federal Government Announces Renewed Partnership with Canadians on Global Cooperation
New five-year, $100 million fund to support small and medium-sized organizations across the country, including Saskatchewan
Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Marie-Claude Bibeau announced a new $100 million fund for small and medium-sized organizations at the Canadian Council for International Co-operation’s Global Impact Soirée on 9 May 2017.
This comes after almost three years of discussions with the Inter-Council Network of Provincial and Regional Councils for International Cooperation (ICN), and CCIC. The Councils, who represent close to 400 civil society organizations from coast to coast to coast, wholeheartedly welcome the announcement, which expresses and bolsters support for Canadians working on issues of poverty, sustainability, and human rights in a global context.
Learn about the impact of small and medium-sized organizations
"Canada made a strong statement about our role in the world today," remarked Michèle Asselin, Executive Director of l'Association québécoise des organismes de coopération international. "From a feminist perspective we have a lot to offer internationally, to help transform the lives of women and girls."
The news is particularly relevant for Saskatchewan-based organizations, which often operate on smaller budgets. “We have been working hard to make sure that Canadians, particularly those from smaller groups who support education programs across the globe, fight for human rights in fragile countries, and support the rights of women and girls through grassroots projects, will once again be able to access support from the government of Canada,” emphasized Jacqui Wasacase of Saskatchewan.
The five-year, $100 million fund will be made available to small and medium-sized organizations using a two-pillared approach, one for responsive programming, and one for innovation to test ideas that resolve specific development challenges, particularly for initiatives that would support women and girls. It will use the existing expertise of Canadian NGOs that will be encouraged to share their best practices and work together.
Dr. Zephania Matanga, Executive Director of the Canadian Multicultural Disability Center, a small-sized organization, and member of the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC), offers his congratulations to Minister Bibeau on providing a wonderful opportunity for small organizations to access resources to participate in the development of marginalized communities.
“In Zimbabwe we could provide additional resources for education and healthcare for people with disabilities in rural areas,” states Dr. Matanga. “This will also enable the diaspora to participate in international cooperation.”
According to the MCIC’s Executive Director, Janice Hamilton, “We know from research and experience that Canadians, through small and medium-sized organizations, have strong ties to their local partners overseas, as well as their own communities in Canada. They not only support the local communities to have access to water and sanitation in Cambodia, to improve maternal health in Afghanistan, and to assist farmers in Peru adapt to climate change, among others, but also share these stories and successes with their fellow Canadians.”
“It is a proud moment,” affirmed Janice, “and proof that government is taking a thoughtful, proactive yet timely approach to change. It is concrete proof behind the claim that Canada is back,” she concluded.
For more information on this initiative and the work of the Inter-Council Network of Provincial and Regional Councils (ICN) please contact:
Sara Farid, National Coordinator
Inter-Council Network
604.260.0424 | 778.866.8805 | [email protected]
About the Inter-Council Network (ICN)
The Inter-Council Network (ICN) is a dynamic coalition of the eight provincial and regional member-based Councils for International Cooperation across Canada committed to social justice and social change. Learn more