The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Papua New Guinea (2026)

Programme: Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)

Funder: Global Affairs Canada (High Commission of Canada in Australia)

Status: Open

Application deadline: 2026-12-15 at 23:59 (GMT+10)

Target countries / region: Papua New Guinea

Funding: The average CFLI contribution is $30,000 to $40,000 Canadian Dollars (CAD$50,000 is the maximum allocation amount for a project eligible under CFLI).

The High Commission of Canada in Australia is pleased to launch its annual call for proposals for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) for Papua New Guinea.

Program/Opportunity overview The CFLI is a program designed to support small-scale, high-impact projects in developing countries, which align with Global Affairs Canada’s thematic priority areas for engagement. The program is directed at projects conceived and designed predominantly by local partners. Projects are selected and approved by the relevant Canadian embassy or high commission. The CFLI also serves to support positive bilateral relations between Canada and recipient countries and their civil societies, by deepening contacts and supporting local endeavours. The majority of CFLI funding is to be directed toward local civil society organizations (including non-governmental organizations) and other institutions working at the local level. Other entities, such as international, intergovernmental, multilateral and regional organizations may be eligible for funding, provided they are working with local partners and on local projects that are consistent with the objectives of the CFLI. Similarly, municipal, regional government institutions may receive funding, provided that their projects are essentially local in nature. The CFLI is always looking to fund innovative projects that deliver measurable results.

Eligible recipients include:

- Local non-governmental, community and not-for-profit organizations - Local academic institutions working on local projects - International non-governmental organizations working on local development activities - Intergovernmental, multilateral and regional institutions, organizations and agencies working on local development activities - Municipal, regional or national government institutions or agencies of the recipient country working on local projects - Canadian non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations that are working on local development activities The average CFLI contribution is $30,000 to $40,000 Canadian Dollars (CAD$50,000 is the maximum allocation amount for a project eligible under CFLI). Consult the currency converter for local currency equivalents. Please note that all contributions are made in Canadian dollars and then converted to the local currency.

Application process - Applications will be assessed on their merits by a selection committee. - Only those proposals using the designated application form and including the required budget document will be considered. - Due to the high volume of applications, only successful applicants will be contacted. - Project applications are kept on file at the embassy in accordance with Global Affairs Canada’s information management policies.

Application guidelines - Proposals must be completed in English or French. - All projects must align with at least 1 of the following thematic priorities: - Inclusive governance; - Peace and security; - Growth that works for everyone; - Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity; - Human dignity; or - Environment and climate action. - All projects will be required to be completed between the date of signature of the Contribution Agreement and November 30, 2027. - To obtain an application form, please contact the email address cnbracanadafund@international.gc.ca . - Completed applications must be submitted via email at cnbracanadafund@international.gc.ca . - The deadline for submission is December 15, 2026, at 0900 Canberra time. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered. - For questions about the application process, please contact cnbracanadafund@international.gc.ca.