The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Ukraine (2024)

The Embassy of Canada in Ukraine 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 countries that are eligible for Official Development Assistance and that align with Global Affairs Canada’s key areas of engagement. The program is directed at projects designed predominantly by local partners. The small projects between CAD $30,000-$50,000 are selected and approved by the Embassy of Canada to Ukraine.

How to apply

• The deadline for submission is 14 July, 2024 at 23:59 (UTC+3).Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.Proposals should be submitted electronically to: KYIVGR@international.gc.ca
• Only those proposals using the designated application form and including the required budget document will be considered. Project proposals must answer all questions in the CFLI project application form, including the required gender-based analysis.
• 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 below.
• Proposals must be completed in English or French (following Canada’s Official Languages Act). Unfortunately, at this time, proposals will not be accepted in Ukrainian.
• Applications will be assessed for approval on their merits by a selection committee.
• The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) Project Application for Funding Form (.pdf, 249.15 KB) is currently not compatible with web browsers. The following solution is available to you:
  • Saving the PDF to your computer. Instructions can be found on this page: Help: Forms in PDF format (eForms)
• Please note that selected projects must be completed between the date of signature of the Contribution Agreement and March 2025.
• Due to the large number of applicants, only the successful candidates will be contacted.
• For questions about the application process, please contact: KYIVGR@international.gc.ca

Organizations eligible to apply for CFLI funding

Eligible recipients include:

• Local non-governmental, community and not-for-profit organizations,
• Local academic institutions working on local projects,
• Intergovernmental, multilateral and regional institutions, organizations and agencies working on local development activities,
• Municipal, regional or national government institutions or agencies of the recipient country working on local projects.

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 intergovernmental 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. 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:

Theme 1. Supporting the objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula and Canada’s Women, Peace and Security agenda

CFLI will support the implementation of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula (10PPF) and, in particular, Point #4 on the Return of Prisoners of War, Civilian Detainees and Deported Children, as well as integrating the Women, Peace and Securityagendainto local decision-making.

1.1 - Support to families of Prisoners of War (PoWs) and unlawfully detained civilians
Thousands are considered missing and held in captivity, often in unofficial places of detention and in deplorable conditions. Their families are often deprived of any information about their location and well-being. CFLI programing could include, but is not limited to projects surrounding:

• Networking and Collaboration: facilitate support groups, connections and foster collaboration between families for psychosocial support and advocacy initiatives.
• Advocacy and Awareness Raising: conduct public campaigns which raise awareness about the plight of illegally detained individuals, promote information sharing of human rights standards and international law.
• Information Sharing: projects may include organizing events, producing informational materials, engaging with media outlets, and leveraging social media platforms to amplify messaging about support resources for families.
• Capacity Building: facilitate training, technical assistance, and provide resources for members supporters and implementors of 10PPF Working Group #4, both state and CSOs to enhance their skills and knowledge in areas such as legal advocacy, human rights monitoring, and trauma-informed care.

1.2 - Integrating Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda into local decision-making

Women are playing a vital role in the defence of Ukraine and shaping its future. More than 60,000 Ukrainian women serve in the security forces and hundreds of thousands are helping their country as volunteers, fundraisers, caregivers, journalists, medics, teachers, politicians, and entrepreneurs. The inclusion of diverse voices in discussions and funding local women-led organizations and initiatives will lead to a more comprehensive and representative decision-making process and outcome. CFLI programing could include, but is not limited to projects surrounding:

• Facilitation of consultations and dialogue sessions: with a diverse range of stakeholders, including women's organizations, civil society groups, government representatives, and conflict-affected communities from both rural and urban areas. These conversations will provide opportunities for women to articulate their concerns, priorities, and recommendations for inclusion in local decision-making processes.
• Capacity Building: training, resources, and technical assistance provision will strengthen women’s rights organizations’ advocacy skills and leadership capacities for eventual active and informed engagement in local policies concerning such issues as defence, security, transitional justice, and services for conflict-affected people.
• Policy Advocacy: advocacy campaigns and initiatives aimed at promoting the adoption of gender-sensitive policies and measures. This may include advocating for the inclusion of specific provisions related to women's rights, gender equality, and women's participation in decision-making processes.
• Awareness Raising: activities could raise awareness about the importance of integrating WPS principles into local policy-making. This will help generate broader support for gender-inclusive peace policies related to such issues as defence, security, transitional justice and services for conflict-affected people.
• Support to Women and LGBTQI members of the military: projects could support the vulnerable groups with skills and tools to inform their advocacy work and improve their roles and rights while contributing to the war effort.

Theme 2. Veterans

CFLI will emphasize the rehabilitation and reintegration of veterans, acknowledging the unique and localized challenges faced by these individuals at the oblast and hromada levels. CFLI programing could include, but is not limited to projects surrounding:

• Veteran Rehabilitation: occupational therapy and physical resources to support the physical reintegration into civilian life.
• Barrier-Free Urban Planning: projects that involve veterans in the planning and development of barrier-free environments, ensuring that urban infrastructure is accessible, particularly for those with disabilities. This could include collaborating with urban planners, local authorities, and disability advocacy groups to design and implement infrastructure that is accessible to all, particularly veterans with disabilities. Such initiatives are essential as they promote social inclusion and mobility, helping to create more inclusive and equitable communities while leveraging veterans' unique perspectives and experiences in urban development.

Theme 3. Strengthening Ukrainian Identity with a View Towards Social Cohesion

CFLI will support initiatives to strengthen Ukrainian national identity and promote social cohesion, addressing both cultural preservation and contemporary identity challenges. Initiatives that promote dialogue and interaction among diverse community groups will be prioritized. This would include a variety of ethnic, social, and socioeconomic groups, with an aim to promote inclusivity and understanding and celebrate the rich tapestry of Ukrainian traditions and history. Reinforcing a shared sense of identity and belonging, fostering a cohesive and united society, will contribute to mitigating internal divisions and contribute to the resilience and solidarity of Ukrainian society, while enhancing its capacity to withstand and recover from current and future challenges. CFLI programing could include, but is not limited to projects surrounding:

• Information Campaigns: counter disinformation narratives locally to promote initiatives about Ukrainian identity, culture and history. These campaigns will strengthen societal cohesion by highlighting common goals and the collective resilience of the Ukrainian people.
• Language and Culture:
  • Language: promotion of initiatives exploring Ukrainian language through educational programs, media content, and public campaigns.
  • Culture: Joint cultural activities such as art initiatives and community events can foster ties between IDPs and receiving communities. For example, educational or cultural programs can support IDPs to integrate into new communities, alleviating some of the stresses of displacement and supporting their psychological and social well-being. Community events and art programs can also provide platforms to express their identities and can build confidence to advocate for their rights.

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 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:

• 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 charges
• equipment rental, and/or purchase (only when the purchase is required to meet project objectives, reflects good value for money, and the recipient has a strong care-and-maintenance plan in place for equipment sustainability),
• 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, 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
• expenses incurred prior to the signing of the contribution agreement