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Women?s Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund 2026 (Canada)

Deadline: 15-Sep-26

The Women’s Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund 2026 supports Canadian not-for-profit organizations in advancing women’s leadership, economic participation, and gender equality through systemic change initiatives. Funding of up to CAD 1.4 million is available for projects lasting up to 60 months that address barriers to leadership, employment, and decision-making opportunities for women across Canada.

About the Women’s Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund 2026

The Women’s Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund 2026 provides funding to Canadian organizations working to improve women’s leadership opportunities and economic participation by creating lasting systemic change.

The program supports initiatives that remove structural barriers to gender equality by transforming policies, institutions, workplace practices, and social attitudes rather than helping women adapt to existing discriminatory systems.

Program Objectives

The fund aims to:

  • Improve women’s access to leadership opportunities.
  • Increase women’s participation in the workforce and decision-making roles.
  • Advance women’s participation in STEM, skilled trades, and other traditionally male-dominated sectors.
  • Create opportunities for women in an AI-driven economy.
  • Address the root causes of gender inequality through systemic change.
  • Promote equitable policies, practices, and institutional reforms.
  • Support long-term improvements in gender equality across Canada.

Priority Areas

Projects should focus on creating systemic change by addressing one or more of the following:

  • Gender norms and attitudes.
  • Authority and decision-making.
  • Access to professional networks.
  • Access to resources and economic opportunities.
  • Organizational, workplace, and institutional policies and practices.

Priority Groups

Priority will be given to projects benefiting:

  • Indigenous women.
  • Women living with disabilities.
  • Members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
  • Newcomers and migrant women.
  • Black women.
  • Racialized women.
  • Women from official language minority communities.
  • Senior women.
  • Young women and girls.
  • Women living on low incomes.
  • Women in rural, remote, and northern communities.
  • Other underserved or marginalized groups.

Funding Available

Funding depends on the project scope:

  • Local projects: Up to CAD 625,000.
  • Regional, provincial, territorial, interprovincial, or interterritorial projects: Up to CAD 1,000,000.
  • Pan-Canadian projects: Up to CAD 1,400,000.

Projects may run for up to 60 months and must begin no earlier than November 2026.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:

  • Legally constituted Canadian not-for-profit organizations.
  • Organizations with demonstrated experience advancing equality for women.

Priority consideration will be given to:

  • Women’s organizations.
  • Indigenous women’s organizations.

Each organization may submit only one application under this funding call.

Eligible Activities

Funding may support activities such as:

  • Developing inclusive laws and public policies.
  • Improving workplace policies and practices.
  • Increasing women’s leadership and participation in decision-making.
  • Expanding opportunities for women in STEM, skilled trades, and emerging industries.
  • Creating opportunities for women in an AI-driven economy.
  • Engaging women and girls with lived experience in project design.
  • Addressing harmful gender stereotypes and systemic discrimination.
  • Collaborating with governments, employers, and community stakeholders.
  • Implementing initiatives that improve gender equality and economic participation.

Project Requirements

Projects must:

  • Focus on achieving lasting systemic change.
  • Address barriers that create unequal opportunities.
  • Demonstrate long-term impact.
  • Include meaningful engagement with affected communities.
  • Include an external evaluation to assess project outcomes and impact.

Program Benefits

The fund helps organizations:

  • Advance gender equality across Canada.
  • Improve women’s access to leadership positions.
  • Strengthen women’s economic participation.
  • Influence public policy and institutional change.
  • Build partnerships that support long-term social change.
  • Create more inclusive workplaces and communities.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

  • Clearly identifying the systemic barriers the project will address.
  • Demonstrating measurable long-term outcomes.
  • Including women with lived experience throughout project design and implementation.
  • Building partnerships with relevant stakeholders and community organizations.
  • Providing a realistic implementation plan and budget.
  • Explaining how project outcomes will continue beyond the funding period.
  • Including a robust external evaluation strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Women’s Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund 2026?

Legally constituted Canadian not-for-profit organizations with experience advancing equality for women are eligible to apply. Women’s organizations and Indigenous women’s organizations receive priority consideration.

How much funding is available?

Funding is available up to:

  • CAD 625,000 for local projects.
  • CAD 1,000,000 for regional, provincial, territorial, interprovincial, or interterritorial projects.
  • CAD 1,400,000 for pan-Canadian projects.

How long can projects run?

Projects may last for up to 60 months and must begin no earlier than November 2026.

What types of projects are supported?

The fund supports initiatives that improve women’s leadership and economic opportunities by creating systemic change through policy reform, workplace improvements, leadership development, stakeholder collaboration, and efforts to eliminate structural barriers to gender equality.

Is there a limit on the number of applications?

Yes. Each eligible organization may submit one application under this funding opportunity.

Is project evaluation required?

Yes. Every funded project must include an external evaluation to measure its effectiveness and long-term impact.

Conclusion

The Women’s Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund 2026 provides significant funding to help Canadian organizations create lasting systemic change that improves women’s leadership, economic participation, and gender equality. By supporting policy reform, inclusive workplaces, institutional change, and opportunities for underserved communities, the program seeks to build a more equitable future where women can fully participate and lead across all sectors of society.

For more information, visit Government of Canada.