Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Canada Fund (CF) allocation for this fiscal year (April 2008 - March 2009) is fully committed. However, starting
April 2009, CF will accept proposals for small grants projects that may be funded in FY 2009 - 2010. The CF application
form can be downloaded from this site. Please refer to the guidelines below for more information.
What is the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives?
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives or Canada Fund is a Canadian Embassy
program undertaken on behalf of the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA), which has been active in the Philippines since 1972. It provides direct
funding assistance to community groups
and NGOs for small projects addressing technical, economic, educational, and social development issues. It complements CIDA's bilateral
and multilateral activities in pursuit of sustainable development and poverty reduction.
The general objective of the Canada Fund in the Philippines is to
enchance the economic, cultural and social lives of Filipinos. Canada Fund assists community-based organizations and NGOs in their efforts to develop self-reliance and sustainability, maximize the use of limited
resources, and contribute to ongoing, long-term and integrated community development.
What are the Canada Fund Program Priorities?
Canada Fund projects must address at least one of the following CIDA program priorities:
- Basic Human Needs (foods, shelter, health, education)
- Good Governance, human rights, democratic development
- Environmental protection and management
- Gender Equality
Canada Fund also considers as priorities reducing HIV/AIDS, protecting and promoting the rights of children.
Gender equality and environmental sustainability are crosscutting themes in all projects.
Who are the Target Beneficiaries?
Canada Fund's primary target beneficiaries are the rural poor, which include women,
upland farmers, peasants, fisherfolk and indigenous peoples; and disadvantaged groups in provincial
and urban centers such as the urban poor, laborers, the differently-abled, out-of-school youth and
street children.
Who may apply for Canada Fund Assistance?
Recipients of Canada Fund assistance may be non-government organizations (NGOs), local institutions, cooperatives, and people's organizations, and recognized
international institutions affiliated with local groups or local foundations.
What are the Guidelines?
- Assistance ranges from Cdn$20,000 to Cdn$30,000 for a period of one to two years. In exceptional cases, support of up to Cd$50,000
can be considered
- Funding is not available on a recurring basis for ongoing projects
- Government projects are not eligible for funding
- Canada Fund does not normally assist pure research, stand-alone training, vehicle purchase, infrastructure-related
projects (except village water supply)
- All projects must comply with the Canadian Environmental assessment Act (CEAA)
- In keeping with Results Based Management and participatory development, the active participation of local communities is considered a very important criterion.
- All projects are required to submit financial and narrative reports at mid-project and on completion.
- Monitoring and evaluation may include auditing of management and financial systems.
What are the Criteria for Project Selection?
A project proposal to Canada Fund must address the following:
- Project viability, relevance and effectiveness
- Potential for long-term sustainability
- Extent of beneficiary participation in project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
- Clear presentation of project design, implementation scheme, expected project results/impact, and success indicators
- Cost-effectiveness and administrative viability (up to a maximum of 20% of total project cost is allowed for administrative purposes)
Amount of cash and/or in-kind contribution pledged to the project by the applicant organization as counterpart minimum of 30% of total project cost)
Competence and track record of the proponent organization
Community support for the project
Impact on environment and gender equality
Compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
What is the Selection Process?
- An applicant organization completes a prepared Canada Fund Project Proposal Questionnaire. This is mailed to the Canada Fund
Office together with supporting documents such as Certificates of Registraion, organizational brochure, resume of the Board of Directors and/or Officers.
When submitting
the Project Proposal, it is best for the applicant organization to enclose a diskette copy as well.
- The Canada Fund Secretariat acknowledges the proposal and provides initial appraisal comments.
- The applicant organization sends back revised proposal and/or additional information.
- The Canada Fund Secretariat acknowledges receipt of the documents sent by the applicant-organization.
- Canada Fund Secretariat visits the project site, community and applicat-organization. Validation includes compliance with the Canada Environmental Assessment Act.
- Project appraisal documents are reviewed by the Canada Fund Advisory Committee.
- The project is recommended for approval.
- A Contribution Agreement between the Canadian Embassy and the proponent organization is signed.