Deadline: 10-Oct-23
The Field Support Services Project – Caribbean (FSSP-C) is pleased to announce its call for proposals for the Local Engagement and Action Fund (LEAF) for Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The LEAF is the local development grant mechanism under the FSSP-C, which is funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
The main objective of the LEAF is to strengthen the support provided to organizations working in vulnerable sectors by improving access to financial resources to enhance their mandate.
Themes
- Youth Engagement: Disadvantaged Youth (aged 13-29) – Initiatives that work with disadvantaged youth to address:
- Crime prevention: for example, offering at-risk youth constructive alternatives and opportunities, fostering healthy lifestyles, and encouraging positive engagement to protect them from potential involvement in violent activities;
- Education and student retention: for example, stay-in-school programs; Vocational education
- Possible interventions encompass a range of support that cater to disadvantaged youth, encouraging various positive outcomes. These may include promoting civic participation, volunteerism, and service initiatives, fostering leadership development, backing youth-led organizations, and establishing safe spaces for after-school activities, encompassing sports, arts, and tutoring. These interventions could also include involving disadvantaged youth in decision-making processes, promoting economic empowerment, enhancing employability, livelihoods, and entrepreneurship, as well as offering life skills training, apprenticeship and mentorship.
- Youth Innovation – Initiatives that empower and promote youth innovation, harness the creativity, energy and talents of young individuals to drive positive change and contribute to sustainable development. This could include initiatives focusing on: Youth entrepreneurship, digital and technological literacy, digital innovation; mentorship and apprenticeship in emerging industries.
- Projects should address at least one theme and any or a combination of the sub-themes listed. FSSP-C is looking for innovative projects that focus on the root of the issues and through creative ways find lasting solutions.
Types of Grants
- This call for proposals will support two types of grants, however organizations are allowed to apply for one type of grant. The two types of grants are:
- Short term grant (6-12 months)
- Long-term grant (13-24 months)
Funding Information
- The amount of financing available is between CAD$20,000-CAD$50,000 per project for short-term projects and CAD$50,001-CAD$100,000 per project for long-term projects.
- The approved grant amount will be paid in tranches. Organizations should consider inflation costs and possible fluctuations in currency that could occur during the life of the project when preparing their budget. All disbursements will be made in the local currency equivalent.
Target Countries
- This call for proposals is only for eligible organizations in Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Eligibility Criteria
- Projects eligible for funding under the LEAF are those submitted by non-profit organizations (non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, community based organizations, women’s rights organizations, benevolent society, foundations, charitable organizations, associations, public educational institutions, federations/networks, national (departments and agencies) and sub-national (municipal councils, town councils, city councils) government entities and regional organizations committed to local development. Organizations can collaborate with other eligible entities.
- In addition, organizations must:
- Be a legally registered organization;
- Operate in Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia or St. Vincent and the Grenadines;
- Have a bank account with at least two signatories;
- Demonstrable evidence of the human resources necessary to ensure project implementation;
- Little or no experience required for short-term grant requests;
- Proven track record of implementing similar projects for long-term grant requests;
- Income and expenditure statement preferred but not required for short-term grants;
- Last three months’ bank statement required for short-term grant applications; and
- Audited financial statement (within the last 2 years) for long-term grant applications.
For more information, visit High Commission of Canada in Barbados and the OECS.