The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Sri Lanka (2024)

The High Commission of Canada to Sri Lanka 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 or high commission. 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.

Important considerations

• Successful applicants will have approximately 11 months to implement their project (April 2024 to February 2025). Projects spanning two fiscal years (April 2024 to February 2026) may be permitted, depending on the project objectives and the complexity of activities.
• The average CFLI contribution is equivalent to $30,000 to $50,000 Canadian Dollars. The maximum allocation amount for a project is C$100,000.

How to apply

Stage 1: Concept Note

• Proposals must be completed in English or French.
• Email CFLIColombo@international.gc.ca to receive the Concept Note form.
• The deadline for submitting a concept note is 11:59 p.m. (GMT+5:30) on Thursday February 8, 2024. Concept notes submitted after this deadline may not be considered.

Stage 2: Application form

• Shortlisted applicants will be contacted in February 2024 and will have two weeks to complete an application form with a detailed budget.

Please note that project applications are kept on file at missions in accordance with Global Affairs Canada’s information management policies.

For questions about the application process, please contact the CFLI Coordinator at CFLIColombo@international.gc.ca.

Organizations eligible to apply 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) that is working on local development activities
• International or regional organization (non-governmental or not-for-profit) that is working on local development activities
• Intergovernmental or multilateral institution, organization or agency working on local development activities

The majority of CFLI funding is to be directed toward local civil society organizations (including non-governmental 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. Similarly, municipal, regional and national government institutions may receive funding, provided that their projects are essentially local in nature. The CFLI is always looking to fund innovative projects that deliver measurable results.

Partner organizations will need to have a bank account with a major bank in Sri Lanka.

Thematic priorities

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

• Inclusive governance, including diversity, democracy, human rights, LGBTQ2+ rights and the rule of law.
• Peace and security, with a focus on conflict prevention and building peace.
• Human dignity, covering health, education and nutrition.

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). All applicants must fill out the GBA section in the application form (stage 2 of the application process). The purpose of this change is to enhance the gender equality outcomes of the CFLI program.

A GBA will require 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

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 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 (these 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