The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Mexico (2024)

The Embassy of Canada in Mexico 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 partners. Projects are selected and approved by the relevant Canadian embassy. The CFLI also serves to support positive bilateral relations between Canada and recipient countries and their civil societies, by deepening contacts and supporting local endeavours.

The average CFLI contribution is $45,000.00 Canadian Dollars. Consult the currency converter for local currency equivalents. Please note that all contributions are made in Canadian dollars and then converted to the local currency.

How to apply

• All projects must be completed between the date of signature of the Contribution Agreement (around September 1st, 2024) and February 28th, 2025.
• The deadline for submission is April 21st, 2024, at 23:59 (Mexico City Time). Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered. Proposals should be submitted electronically to: fondocanadamexico@international.gc.ca
• Only those proposals using the designated application form and including the required budget document will be considered.
• For more information on the types of activities and costs that are eligible for CFLI funding, please refer to the list of CFLI approved activities and costs.
• Proposals must be completed in English, French or Spanish.
• Project proposals must explicitly answer all questions in the CFLI project application form, including the required gender-based analysis. The proposed project budget should summarize the proposed activities and associated costs.
• Applications will be assessed for approval on their merits by a selection committee.
• Due to the large number of applicants, only the successful candidates will be contacted.
• To obtain an application form, please contact the CFLI Coordinator by email at fondocanadamexico@international.gc.ca or The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) Project Application for Funding Form (.pdf, 249.15 KB) is currently not compatible with web browsers. Two solutions are available to you:
  • Saving the PDF to your computer. Instructions can be found on this page: Help: Forms in PDF format (eForms)
  • Requesting the application form in a Microsoft Word format by contacting the CFLI coordinator: fondocanadamexico@international.gc.ca
• For questions about the application process, please contact: fondocanadamexico@international.gc.ca
• Project applications are kept on file at missions in accordance with Global Affairs Canada’s information management policies.

Organizations eligible to apply for CFLI funding

Eligible recipients include:

• Local non-governmental, community and not-for-profit organizations,
• International non-governmental organizations working on local development activities,
• Canadian non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations that are working on local development activities.

The majority of CFLI funding is to be directed toward local civil society organizations and other institutions working at the local level. Other entities, such as international, intergovernmental, multilateral and regional organizations may be eligible for funding, provided they are working with local partners and on local projects that are consistent with the objectives of the CFLI. The CFLI is always looking to fund innovative projects that deliver measurable results.

Thematic priorities

All projects must align with at least 1 of the following CFLI thematic priorities:

• Inclusive governance, including diversity and 2SLGBTQI+, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
• Peace and security, with a focus on conflict prevention and building peace.
• Growth that works for everyone, including women's economic rights, decent jobs and entrepreneurship, investing in the poorest and most vulnerable, and safeguarding economic gains.
• Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
• Human dignity, covering health, education, and nutrition.
• Environment and climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation, as well as on water management.

Gender-based analysis

In 2017, Canada adopted its Feminist International Assistance Policy to advance 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 alignment with this policy, the CFLI project application process now requires a gender-based analysis (GBA). The purpose of this requirement is to enhance the gender equality outcomes of the CFLI program.

A GBA requires applicants to:

• Consider how women, girls, men, and boys are affected differently by the problem their project is aiming to address, ensuring, at the same time, that the project does not cause harm;
• Consult women and/or girls in the development of their project proposal;
• Ensure that the views of those women and/or girls inform the project’s design;
• Examine how other identity factors (such as race, religion, age, and gender) contribute to these experiences.

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 the consideration of your 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 12% of total CFLI contribution)
• Advocacy and lobbying related costs
• Civic education costs
• Conference and event expenditures
• Costs of services received by recipients (consultancy, catering, interpretation, design services, etc.)
• Domestic travel expenses, using lowest fares possible but not exceeding full fare economy class
• Environmental assessment costs
• Equipment rental or purchase (computers, communication devices, camera, microphones, etc.) Needs a strong justification and evidence that it will be essential for the project’s successful completion.
• Hospitality costs, excluding alcoholic beverages
• Installation, maintenance, shipping and/or transportation costs, including fuel,
• Lease or rental of vehicles
• Legal costs
• Medical costs
• Outreach, communication and information dissemination costs
• Publishing costs
• Radio and television broadcast fees
• Research-related costs
• Salary costs, including stipends, 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:

• Nuclear technologies and facilities,
• Assistance to military or paramilitary organizations,
• Gifts,
• Luxury goods,
• Direct fiscal support to a government,
• Seed funding and/or microfinance,
• Core funding or recurrent costs of an organization (daily operational costs of the organization that are not associated with the project)
• Expenses incurred prior to the signing of the contribution agreement, or after it expires