Deadline: 21-Aug-25
Grand Challenges Canada has launched its Play Learn Thrive Initiative, offering a significant opportunity for not-for-profit organizations in Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, or Uganda.
The initiative seeks innovative projects focused on strengthening and supporting children’s education, development, and/or support networks, aiming to create robust systems that enable children in complex crisis settings to play, learn, and thrive.
The program emphasizes that a child’s holistic development—encompassing their physical, intellectual, psychological, cultural, and social wellbeing—is intrinsically linked to the wellbeing and capacity of their caregivers, educators, and wider community.
Therefore, strengthening this crucial support network is considered essential for fostering children’s growth and development. Solutions are sought for children from birth to 12 years of age, with a particular focus on those who are often overlooked and whose developmental and educational needs remain unmet.
Innovations should primarily concentrate on either enhancing children’s education and/or development, specifically targeting those who are vulnerable, or strengthening the capacity and/or wellbeing of children’s support networks, including but not limited to educators, caregivers, and community care providers.
While proposals focusing on just one of these areas are encouraged, preference will be given to those demonstrating a dual focus on both children and the key figures within their support systems. All proposed innovations must integrate play-based solutions into their programmatic concept and must be culturally sensitive and community-driven.
They should account for the complex social, cultural, and environmental factors influencing children’s early learning and development in at least one of the four priority countries: Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, or Uganda.
Funding available for selected projects ranges from $300,000 to $1,500,000 CAD, with a maximum duration of up to 24 months. Expected outcomes include improvements in child development (such as cognitive, language, socio-emotional, physical, and motor skills), and child education (with a prioritization of foundational learning competencies like literacy and mathematics).
The initiative also seeks improvements in caregiver and educator wellbeing and capacity, which may include mental health outcomes, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to positive parenting, nurturing care, and the creation of supportive learning environments.
To be eligible for this funding, applying organizations must be legally incorporated not-for-profit entities. They must also have an active presence and be legally registered to conduct business in at least one of the four priority countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, or Uganda), and commit to implementing their programming directly within one of these nations.
Conversely, Grand Challenges Canada will not fund for-profit entities, government institutions, individuals, or any not-for-profit organizations that do not meet the specified legal incorporation, active presence, and registration requirements within the designated priority countries.
For more information, visit Grand Challenges Canada.
