The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – United Nations in New York (2025)

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, including inclusive governance, peace and security, and gender equality. The program is directed at projects conceived and designed predominantly by local partners in countries eligible for Official Development Assistance. Projects are selected and approved by the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York.

We strongly encourage applicants to demonstrate how their projects will foster connections with the United Nations and local partners in ODA eligible countries. This could include aligning project objectives with UN initiatives, collaborating with UN agencies, or addressing issues highlighted by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By doing so, applicants can enhance the impact and reach of their projects, while contributing to global efforts for sustainable development and peace.

Eligible recipients include:

• Local non-governmental, community and not-for-profit organizations
• Local academic institutions working on local projects,
• International non-governmental organizations working on local development activities,
• 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, and
• 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 (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.

Thematic priorities

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

• Inclusive governance, including diversity and inclusion of 2SLGBTQI+ persons, democracy, human rights or the rule of law.
• Peace and security, with a focus on conflict prevention and building peace.
• Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.