The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Jordan (2023)

The Embassy of Canada in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is pleased to launch its annual call for proposals for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

Program description

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 civil society partners. Projects are selected and approved by the relevant Canadian embassy or high commission.

The average CFLI contribution is $35,000 to $75,000 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 and transferred in the local currency.

How to apply

• The Embassy of Canada in Jordan uses a two-step process to select CFLI funding recipients: Step 1 – concept note, and Step 2 – full proposal.
• Step 1: A concept note must first be submitted by all interested organizations.
• To obtain a concept note form or for questions about the application process, please email the CFLI Coordinator at AMMANPublicAffairs@international.gc.ca and place the abbreviation “CFLI” at the beginning of the subject line.
• Deadline for submission of project concept notes is March 11, 2023 at 23:59 (GMT+2/Amman time). Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
• Concept notes must be submitted electronically to the following email: AMMANPublicAffairs@international.gc.ca
• Step 2: Prospective partners whose concept notes are shortlisted (based on assessment of eligibility and merit criteria) will be invited to submit a full proposal.
• The CFLI project application template will be sent to shortlisted prospective partners via email.
• The email will specify the deadline for submission of full proposals.
• Full project proposals must explicitly answer all questions in the CFLI project application form, including the gender-based analysis, and include a project budget summarizing the proposed activities and associated costs.

Information for applicants:

• Only proposals submitted with the abbreviation CFLI placed at the beginning of the subject line and using the concept note template will be considered.
• Project selection will be completed on the basis of the full proposal according to merit and eligibility criteria.
• Due to the large number of applicants, only successful candidates will be contacted. 
• Concept notes and the final application must be completed in English, French or Arabic.
• The Eligible Costs section below provides details on the types of activities and costs eligible for CFLI funding.
• All projects must be completed between the date of signature of the Contribution Agreement and February 15, 2024, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
• Preference will be given to innovative projects that can deliver measurable results.
• Two-year programming: Projects spanning 2 fiscal years and end in February 2025 may be permitted depending on the project objectives and the complexity of activities. 

Organizations eligible for CFLI funding

Eligible recipients include:

• Local, national or community-based organization (non-governmental and not-for-profit).
• Local municipal, regional or national government institution or agency of the recipient country.
• Local academic institution.
• Canadian organization (non-governmental or not-for-profit) engaged in local development activities.
• International or regional organization (non-governmental or not-for-profit) engaged in local development activities. 

Thematic priorities

All projects must align with at least 1 of the following CFLI thematic priorities, and address one of these sub-themes:

1. Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls:
   • Supporting strong and sustainable women’s rights organizations and movements.
   • Addressing sexual and gender-based violence, including child, early and forced marriage.
2. Championing human rights, inclusive and accountable governance, democracy and fundamental freedoms, peaceful pluralism, and respect for diversity:
   • Strengthen civil society and increase democratic political participation, including by women, youth and marginalized groups (e.g. people with disabilities, refugees); create and maintain a safe and enabling environment for civil society and the media.
   • Respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms—including freedom of religion or belief, of expression, of peaceful assembly and of association—and a contribution to the elimination of discrimination, racism, intolerance and persecution.
3. Environment and climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation, as well as on water management:
   • Strengthening environmental governance and enhancing women’s participation in decision making.
   • Environmental practices that support healthy, adaptive and resilient communities.

Gender-based analysis

In 2017, Canada adopted a Feminist International Assistance Policy to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, deemed the most effective way to reduce poverty and build a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous world. In alignment with this policy, the CFLI project application process requires a gender-based analysis (GBA).

A GBA must be completed at the full proposal stage, and requires applicants to:

• Consider how women, girls, men, and boys are affected differently by the problem their project is aiming to address, and how they will ensure the project will not cause harm.
• Consult women and/or girls in the development of their project proposal.
• Ensure the views of those women and/or girls inform the project’s design. 

Note that consultations can include, but are not limited to, speaking to women and girls from the local community, women and other individuals who work for civil society organizations that have worked in the local community, and female and male decision and change makers who have knowledge of the local community.

Inadequate completion of a GBA may affect consideration of the proposal. 

Eligible costs

The following project costs are eligible for CFLI funding:

• accounting costs
• administrative and overhead costs related to the project (overhead should not exceed 15% of total CFLI contribution)
• advocacy and lobbying related costs
• capital and/or operating expenditures related to the lease and/or purchase and/or building of infrastructure
• civic education costs
• conference and event expenditures
• costs of services received by recipients
• domestic travel expenses, using lowest fares possible but not exceeding full fare economy class
• environmental assessment costs
• facilities and equipment rental charges
• hospitality costs, excluding alcoholic beverages
• installation, maintenance, shipping and/or transportation costs, including fuel, computers and communication devices
• lease or rental of vehicles
• legal costs
• medical costs
• miscellaneous expenses integral to the project
• outreach, communication and information dissemination costs
• publishing costs
• radio and television broadcast fees
• research-related costs
• salary costs relating to the project
• security costs
• training and capacity building expenditures
• translation and interpretation fees
• vehicle and equipment operation, installation and/or maintenance
• website development and related costs 

The following costs are not eligible for CFLI funding:

• assistance to military or paramilitary organizations
• core funding
• direct fiscal support to a government
• expenses incurred prior to the signing of the contribution agreement, or after it expires
• gifts
• luxury goods
• nuclear technologies and facilities