CANADA FUND PROGRAM FOR LOCAL INITIATIVES
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donor for the BlueLink web site of the National Conference of Bulgarian Environmental NGOs, Sofia, December 18 - 20, 2000
1. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
2. WHO CAN APPLY?
3. WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE?
4. PROJECT PROCESSAnnex A : PROJECT PROPOSAL OUTLINE
The purpose of the Canada Fund (CF) Program is to support the development of a strong, viable and pluralistic civil society within a free market economy by facilitating the active participation of voluntary non-profit groups and organisations in the process of social, economic and political reform.
The main objectives of the Canada Fund Program are:
to provide assistance through a small grants scheme which is compatible with the broad policy of the Canadian Government’s program of Cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe
- to function as a complementary component of the Canadian Bilateral Cooperation Program
- to enhance the profile of Canada in the area
- to encourage the active participation of local communities, groups or individuals a and to support the emergence of voluntarism in this period of transition and growth
2. WHO CAN APPLY?
Contributions can be granted to worthy individuals, non-governmental groups and organisations and local communities to implement projects for the benefit of a community.
Project grants cannot be allocated to an individual for his/her own benefit.
Funds may be approved on an exceptional basis for projects in which the national government or an international agency is the executing agency. In such cases, funding will only be provided if the beneficiaries are outside the government and have no close relationship to the executing agency.
3. WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE?
Approved projects should be compatible with national government economic and political reform objectives and programs although formal government approval is not required.
The program is meant to respond with promptitude and flexibility to the assistance requested for the implementation of a broad range of potential project activities.
The following are a few examples of activities supported by the CF: socio-economic support to the community, preparation of information materials for public education, development of expertise (training); contribution to the preparation of a seminar or relevant issues; material purchases including equipment.
Project contributions must be used for the purpose intended. Approved projects should be unique and should not duplicate, correct, or provide simultaneous Canadian funding for projects already being funded by the Canadian government. Funds should not represent the local input required by a recipient organisation to receive funding from another group.
Feasibility studies are not eligible for Canada Funds.
Operating expenses i.e. rent, maintenance fees, salaries for permanent employees, food and publication of periodicals cannot be accepted
The purchase of equipment (computer, fax, photocopier machines) is approved only if needed to carry out the project activities.
Project funds are to be spent in-country. Materials and supplies required for projects are to be procured locally on the domestic market and, where possible and feasible, in the national currency when possible. The program is not intended to provide for extra-regional fellowships, scholarships, study tours, expenses for travel to or from Canada, fees or per diems of consultants or experts, or to benefit privately-owned firms of enterprises. Canada Funds are not to be used to fund Canadian experts, civil servants or private sector professionals who might come to the host country for short term work (seminars, teaching, technical co-operation, etc.). Funding for such projects is available through other sources than the Canada Fund. Funding for participation in regional conferences or local training seminars is permitted, particularly if these are Canadian-sponsored.
A minimal amount of project funds can be used to publicise the program i.e. for conveying information to more distant regions of a particular country.
In compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Embassy will have to make environmental assessment for some of the projects which are in relation to a physical entity. In those cases the NGO will be requested to submit additional information on the handling of construction materials, wastes, waste water, etc. depending on the project.
Since the aim of the fund is to support small-scale projects, average funding for an individual project ranges between US$ 3,000 to 8,000.
Gender equality is an objective of the program. Equal participation and integration of both genders in all projects from design through execution is encouraged.
However, specific quotas or percentage targets have not been assigned and project proposals may not necessarily be penalised on the basis of gender, except where the project reinforces gender disparities.
Projects with a direct benefit and impact on women and which enable women to gain project experience are also encouraged.
4. PROJECT PROCESS
Groups or organisations wishing to present a proposal, fill in an application form giving full and explicit details about the project according to the Project Outline presented in Annex A.
The applications have to be sent to:
for Bulgaria
Michaela Entcheva
Canada Fund Officer
Canadian Consulate
11, Prof. Assen Zlatarov St.
1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
tel:+359-2-946-1851
tel (cell): +359-88-345-142
Fax: +359-2-946-1913for Romania and the Republic of Moldova:
Ligia Marincus
Project Officer
Canadian Embassy
Technical Cooperation Section
36, Nicolae Iorga St.
71118 Bucharest , Romania
tel: (40-1)222-9845; 093-267-851
fax:(40-1)3113129
e-mail:ligia.marincus@dfait-maeci.gc.caProjects proposals are reviewed on a regularly basis and depending on available funds. Selected projects are submitted to the Ambassador for final approval.
A contribution agreement will then be sent to the recipient organization stating the conditions of the contribution (start of project, amount of contribution, banking information, financial accounting and audit).
After the organisation has signed and returned the contribution agreement to the Embassy, bank transfer payment can be made and project can start.
End of Project Report:
When the project is completed, recipients must provide an end of project report by a specified due date. This short and timely report should relate objectives of the project to the results obtained. This report is also to include materials relating to the project such as copies of press releases or photographs. (See form in Annex B).
Should there be excess funds, these should be returned to the Embassy.
Annex A : PROJECT PROPOSAL OUTLINE
1. Project Title :
2. Date :
3. Project implementation span (estimated date of start and end of the project)
4. Recipient Organization :
Address
Phone:
Fax:
E-mail:
Contact person and titleDescription of the organization:
- Date of establishment:
- No of document attesting establishment:
- Activity profile(overall goals and activities of your organization):Main projects implemented:
Staff number and experience:
5. Project Purpose and Objectives :
Reasons for project:
- Background (context and motivation):
- Project objectives:
- short term ( immediate concrete results)
- long term ( effects/consequences of the results)Target group(s) (Please mention who shall benefit from the project))
Gender Equity ( Please describe how women will be involved in the decision-making process or as direct participants/beneficiaries in the project)
6. Project outline :
Implementation plan :
- activities
- schedule
- participants and their responsibilities7. Total Project Budget :
Project cost breakdown by components (inputs and services)
Note:
Please specify clearly the Canadian contributions you request
and any other contributions to be used for the project.In case of other contributions, please mention the source and status of procurements (already obtained or on the way to be obtained)
Arrangements for return of excess funds
8. Publicity/Promotion:
Explain why the Canadian government should support this project and how the planned project and the Canadian contribution will be promotedPlease note that after the implementation of the project you will have to submit an end-of-project report ( for details see hereunder)