Canada announces funding for public engagement in international development

February 9, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

International Development Week is a time to reflect on the incredible difference that development assistance makes for families and communities around the world. It is also a chance to highlight the innovative and exciting ways that Canadians can engage in advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As part of International Development Week 2023, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, today announced a total of $23.4 million in funding to extend programming for Canadian public engagement. By informing, inspiring and involving Canadians in international development and the SDGs, Canada will be better placed to deliver meaningful and lasting international development results and help build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world.

Of this amount, $17.4 million will be provided to extend the Inspiring Action for Global Citizenship program to the 8 members of the Inter-Council Network (ICN). With this funding, the ICN will build bridges between local and global issues, raising awareness of international development issues in communities across the country.

The funding announced today also includes $6 million for the Aga Khan Foundation Canada for the International Development Education and Awareness project. Through school and youth-group programs, this project will spark young Canadians’ interest in development priorities, such as eliminating poverty and promoting gender equality.

In addition to the funding announcements, Minister Sajjan made a commitment to Canadian civil society organizations to improve how Global Affairs Canada works behind the scenes so that it can be more efficient, effective and responsive in relation to its programs and partnerships. Over the next 5 years, Global Affairs Canada will be on a mission to streamline how it oversees the more than $5 billion it manages for grants and contributions through its Grants and Contributions Transformation Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to improve, modernize and harmonize the way the department works—starting with a review of its business processes.