About

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

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.

Thematic Priorities

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

  • Veterans:

    • Collaboration with urban planners, local authorities, and disability advocacy groups to design and implement infrastructure that is accessible to all, particularly veterans with disabilities.

    • Rehabilitation programs for veterans.

    • Preference will be given to projects outside of Kyiv and major cities.

  • Support to LGBTQI groups:

    • LGBTQI-friendly community spaces in smaller cities and rural areas, providing refuge, support groups, and events to combat isolation and violence.

    • Public campaigns and training programs for local authorities and community leaders in regional areas to raise awareness of LGBTQI issues and promote inclusivity, reducing discrimination and improving safety.

    • Preference will be given to projects outside of Kyiv and major cities.

  • Support to Youth:

    • Leadership training, workshops, and mentorship to help youth develop skills in entrepreneurship, community organizing, and conflict resolution, empowering them to contribute to Ukraine’s rebuilding.

    • Strengthening youth’s connection to Ukraine’s culture, history, and identity through educational programs, language courses, and cultural exchanges, fostering national pride and resilience.

    • Creation of safe spaces and online platforms for mental health support, offering counseling and peer networks to help youth cope with trauma and build resilience in the face of conflict.

Funding Information

• The average CFLI contribution is $30,000 to $50,000 Canadian Dollars (CAD$100,000 is the maximum allocation amount for a project eligible under CFLI).

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 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.

Ineligible 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, or after it expires.

Eligibility

• Eligible recipients include:

  • Local non-governmental, community and not-for-profit organizations,

  • Local academic institutions are 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

Post Date: May 14, 2025