Call for Proposals: Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (Madagascar)

Deadline: 03-Jul-2026

The High Commission of Canada in South Africa has launched the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives call for proposals to support around four small-scale, high-impact projects in Madagascar. Selected projects are expected to begin implementation from Fall 2026.

The average CFLI contribution in Madagascar ranges from CAD 20,000 to CAD 50,000, with a maximum allocation of CAD 100,000 per eligible project. The call supports locally designed initiatives aligned with Canada’s priorities in inclusive growth, governance, peace and security, gender equality, human dignity, and environment and climate action.

What is the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives?

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives is a Global Affairs Canada programme that supports small-scale, high-impact projects in developing countries.

The programme focuses on locally designed initiatives that respond to community needs and align with Canada’s thematic priorities for international engagement.

In Madagascar, the call is managed through the High Commission of Canada in South Africa.

Main Purpose of the CFLI Call in Madagascar

The main purpose of the call is to support practical local projects that contribute to development priorities in Madagascar.

The programme aims to:

• Support locally designed projects
• Strengthen civil society engagement
• Promote inclusive and sustainable development
• Encourage innovative local solutions
• Build partnerships between Canada and local organisations
• Support community-level development activities
• Fund projects that deliver measurable results

Geographic Focus

This call supports projects implemented in Madagascar.

Projects should be locally relevant and designed to address the needs of communities in Madagascar.

Number of Projects Expected

Around four small-scale, high-impact projects are expected to be supported.

Selected projects are expected to begin from Fall 2026.

Thematic Priorities

Projects must align with one or more CFLI thematic priorities.

Thematic priorities include:

• Growth that works for everyone
• Inclusive governance
• Peace and security
• Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity
• Human dignity
• Environment and climate action

Funding Amount

The average CFLI contribution in Madagascar ranges from CAD 20,000 to CAD 50,000.

The maximum allocation is CAD 100,000 per eligible project.

Contributions are provided in Canadian dollars and converted into local currency.

Applicants should prepare realistic budgets that match the project objectives, activities, and expected results.

Who is Eligible?

Funding is primarily directed toward local civil society organisations and institutions working at the local level.

Eligible recipients may include:

• Local non-governmental organisations
• Community organisations
• Local not-for-profit organisations
• Local academic institutions
• International non-governmental organisations
• Intergovernmental organisations
• Multilateral organisations
• Government institutions implementing local projects
• Canadian organisations working on local development activities

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

The CFLI supports locally designed projects that are practical, innovative, and results-oriented.

Supported projects may include initiatives related to:

• Inclusive economic growth
• Local governance
• Civic participation
• Peacebuilding
• Conflict prevention
• Women’s and girls’ empowerment
• Human rights
• Human dignity
• Climate action
• Environmental protection
• Local capacity-building
• Community resilience
• Civil society engagement

Key Concepts Explained

Small-Scale Project

A small-scale project is a focused initiative with clear objectives, a defined budget, specific beneficiaries, and measurable activities.

High-Impact Project

A high-impact project creates meaningful benefits for communities, even with a modest amount of funding.

Locally Designed Initiative

A locally designed initiative is developed by local partners based on local needs, priorities, and community realities.

Inclusive Governance

Inclusive governance supports participation, transparency, accountability, and access to decision-making for different groups in society.

Human Dignity

Human dignity refers to rights, equality, protection, wellbeing, and access to opportunities that allow people to live safely and with respect.

Eligible Project Expenses

Eligible expenses must be directly connected to project implementation.

Eligible costs may include:

• Project-related administrative and overhead costs
• Infrastructure-related costs
• Communication devices
• Internet expenses
• Project salaries
• Training and capacity-building
• Events
• Research activities
• Outreach activities
• Travel expenses
• Security costs
• Translation services
• Equipment rental
• Website development
• Other direct project implementation costs

Ineligible Project Costs

The CFLI does not support certain costs and activities.

Ineligible costs include:

• Vehicle purchases
• Nuclear technologies and facilities
• Assistance to military organisations
• Assistance to paramilitary organisations
• Gifts
• Luxury goods
• Direct fiscal support to governments
• Core organisational funding
• Revolving funds
• Expenses incurred outside the approved project period

Applicants should ensure that all proposed expenses are eligible and clearly linked to project activities.

How the Programme Works

The CFLI provides project-based funding to eligible organisations for locally designed development initiatives.

Applicants submit proposals aligned with one or more thematic priorities.

Applications are reviewed based on relevance, innovation, feasibility, local ownership, and measurable results.

Selected organisations implement approved activities according to the agreed project plan, budget, and contribution agreement.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that explains the project need, objectives, activities, beneficiaries, budget, and expected results.

Suggested Application Steps

1. Confirm that the applicant is an eligible organisation.
2. Identify the local issue the project will address in Madagascar.
3. Select the CFLI thematic priority most relevant to the project.
4. Define clear project objectives and expected results.
5. Identify target beneficiaries and local partners.
6. Prepare a practical activity plan.
7. Develop a realistic budget within the eligible funding range.
8. Ensure all proposed costs are eligible.
9. Explain how the project is locally designed.
10. Show how the project will deliver measurable results.
11. Demonstrate organisational capacity to implement the project.
12. Submit the proposal according to the official CFLI call instructions.

Expected Results

Selected projects should produce clear and measurable community benefits.

Expected results may include:

• Stronger civil society engagement
• Improved local governance outcomes
• Increased support for women and girls
• Better protection of human dignity
• Stronger peace and security outcomes
• Improved community resilience
• Greater awareness of rights and inclusion
• Environmental or climate-related benefits
• Stronger local capacity to address development challenges

Why It Matters

The CFLI helps local organisations implement practical projects that respond directly to community needs.

In Madagascar, the call supports initiatives that advance inclusive growth, governance, peace, gender equality, human dignity, and climate action.

Because the programme prioritises locally designed projects, it helps ensure that supported activities are grounded in local realities and led by organisations with community knowledge.

It also strengthens engagement between Canada, local organisations, and civil society in Madagascar.

Tips for Strong Applications

A strong application should clearly show how the project will deliver measurable and locally relevant impact.

Applicants should focus on:

• Clear alignment with CFLI thematic priorities
• Strong local ownership
• Innovative and practical project design
• Specific target beneficiaries
• Realistic budget and timeline
• Eligible and well-justified costs
• Clear implementation plan
• Measurable outcomes
• Strong community engagement
• Organisational capacity to deliver the project

Applicants should avoid broad proposals and instead present focused activities that directly respond to a local need.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should carefully review eligibility, cost rules, and thematic priorities before submission.

Common mistakes include:

• Proposing activities outside CFLI priorities
• Submitting a project without clear local relevance
• Including ineligible costs such as vehicle purchases or core funding
• Requesting more than the maximum allocation
• Failing to explain measurable results
• Providing vague activity descriptions
• Not identifying beneficiaries clearly
• Including expenses outside the approved project period
• Not demonstrating implementation capacity
• Providing an unclear or unrealistic budget

FAQ

What is the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives?

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives is a Global Affairs Canada programme that supports small-scale, high-impact projects designed and implemented by local partners in developing countries.

What is the focus of the CFLI call in Madagascar?

The call supports projects related to inclusive growth, inclusive governance, peace and security, gender equality, human dignity, and environment and climate action.

How many projects are expected to be supported?

Around four small-scale, high-impact projects are expected to be selected in Madagascar.

How much funding is available per project?

The average contribution ranges from CAD 20,000 to CAD 50,000, with a maximum of CAD 100,000 per eligible project.

When will selected projects begin?

Selected projects are expected to begin implementation from Fall 2026.

Who can apply?

Eligible recipients include local NGOs, community organisations, not-for-profit organisations, academic institutions, international NGOs, intergovernmental and multilateral organisations, government institutions, and Canadian organisations working on local development activities.

What costs are not eligible?

Ineligible costs include vehicle purchases, nuclear technologies, military or paramilitary assistance, gifts, luxury goods, direct fiscal support to governments, core organisational funding, revolving funds, and expenses outside the approved project period.

Conclusion

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives call for proposals in Madagascar provides funding for locally designed, small-scale projects that deliver practical community impact. With average contributions ranging from CAD 20,000 to CAD 50,000 and a maximum of CAD 100,000, the programme supports initiatives aligned with Canada’s priorities in inclusive growth, governance, peace, gender equality, human dignity, and climate action.

Strong proposals will be locally driven, clearly aligned with CFLI priorities, realistic in scope and budget, and designed to deliver measurable benefits for communities in Madagascar.

For more information, visit Government of Canada.