Public Engagement Fund

Program Description
Funding
Organizational Eligibility
Project Eligibility
Application Process
Assessment Criteria
For More Information
Links

Program Description

CIDA's Public Engagement Fund financially supports projects that:

• seek to increase the awareness, understanding, and engagement of Canadians in international development issues and programs;
• increase support for Canada's international assistance program and for international efforts to reduce global poverty; and
• create opportunities for meaningful participation in international development activities.

Projects may demonstrate creativity, innovation and introduce non-traditional ways of meaningful Canada-based engagement in international development activities. In accordance with CIDA's mandate and the Millennium Development Goals, these projects are carried out in Canada and address at least one of CIDA's global issues eligible for CPB funding.

The PEF accepts proposals for projects that take place in Canada and target specific Canadian audiences. Only one proposal per organization will be accepted. This includes one submission for each post-secondary institution. (Submissions will not be accepted from several departments of one university/college/cégep). Proponent and project eligibility and quality are assessed by means of a rigorous process based on pre established criteria.

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Funding

• Funding is provided on a cost-shared basis through a contribution agreement between CIDA and the organization.
• CIDA will contribute up to 75 percent of the project costs. The applicant is responsible for at least 25 percent of the remaining project costs. In addition to CIDA's contribution of up to 75 percent of direct project expenses, an overhead allowance of 12 percent of the CIDA contribution is provided to the organization.
• CIDA contribution is a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $175,000 (12 percent overhead included).
• CIDA will recognize, for cost-sharing purposes, in-kind contributions of organizations that have annual revenues of less than $100,000. The maximum allowable in-kind contribution will be 25 percent of the organization's share of their contribution to the project.
• Cash and eligible in-kind contributions must be from Canadian sources.
• The timeframe for PEF projects is a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years.
• Please note that preference will be given to projects that focus on the engagement of youth or diaspora in international development.

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Organizational Eligibility

The following organizations are eligible for funding under PEF:

• Canadian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs);
• Canadian youth organizations;
• Canadian environmental NGOs; and
• publicly funded colleges, universities, and CÉGEPs.

Eligibility of organizations currently receiving CPB funding:

• Organizations are not eligible if they are receiving program funding from CPB.
• Organizations can apply to PEF if they are receiving project funding from other CIDA or CPB sources. If your organization is receiving funding from these mechanisms for public engagement activities, and would like to apply for additional funding for a PEF project, you must demonstrate the added value of the proposed project.

To be eligible, an applicant organization must meet all the basic criteria detailed below:

• Be incorporated as a not-for-profit organization under the laws of Canada, or a province or territory of Canada, or provide a Charitable Registration Number, where applicable (also applies to collaborative proposals by two or more Canadian applicants.)
• Have its main place of business in Canada.
• Have at least two (2) years of experience managing public engagement or education initiatives in Canada that address international development issues.
• Provide two (2) copies of the Organization's audited financial statements for the past two (2) fiscal years. Each set should cover the audited year and the previous year, thus covering three (3) fiscal years in total. The latest set must have been completed within the past 18 months; Publicly funded colleges, universities, and CÉGEPs are exempt from this requirement.
• Have a transparent internal governance structure with a regularly elected or appointed board of directors (or governing body under another designation).
• Not have any outstanding issues with CIDA related to a previous CIDA-funded initiative. This applies to Canadian co-applicants, in the case of a collaborative proposal.

Note: Organizations or projects will not necessarily receive funding even if they meet the eligibility criteria. In addition to meeting the basic criteria, an organization's demonstrated capacity (financial, technical, managerial) to carry out its proposed project successfully will be part of the evaluation to determine if CIDA will fund the project.

If you are unsure whether your organization meets the eligibility criteria, please contact your CIDA Canadian Regional Office or CIDA headquarters (for applicants from Ontario and Québec).

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Project Eligibility

To be eligible, the proposed project must meet all of the basic criteria detailed below:

• Address CIDA's mandate and one of CIDA's global issues eligible for CPB funding. Preference will be given to projects that target or focus on the engagement of youth or diaspora in international development.
• Address CIDA-PEF objectives.
• Address one or more of the Millennium Development Goals.
• Take place in Canada and target specific Canadian audiences.
• Have a minimum duration of one year and a maximum duration of two years.
• Have a budget that observes the CIDA-to-applicant cost-sharing ratio, which is up to 3:1. (Organizations must have the capacity to contribute at least 25 percent of the total cost of the proposed activities, CIDA contributes the remaining balance up to and not over 75 percent of total direct project costs.)
• Have a minimum CIDA contribution of $25,000 and a maximum of $175,000 (12 percent overhead included).
• Provide letters of support if this is a collaborative project.

Please note the following:

• An organization can have a maximum of two PEF-funded operational projects at any given time; however, only one proposal per organization will be accepted by funding round.
• PEF will consider projects that include producing smaller-scale print, audio-visual, and Internet project components. However, these projects must be part of a larger project that will engage the Canadian public in activities to address international development challenges. The development of audio-visual or print materials must be accompanied by a distribution plan.
• If project proposals include overseas travel (for example, if students will travel to a developing country to make a video), partners must provide information about the nature of their relationship with their developing-country partners.
• CIDA welcomes a broad range of public engagement proposals. These proposals include both traditional and more innovative activities. These activities enhance understanding of global interdependence, the challenges facing the developing world, and the roles that active global citizens can play in reducing global poverty.

Here are a few examples of activities for which PEF does not provide funding:

• Additional phases of previously funded PEF projects.
• Projects to cover core-programming costs (such as rent or general administration costs) or continuous public engagement programming (PEF is not intended to replace existing public engagement resources).
• Fundraising and other activities that promote the organization itself.
• Partisan political advocacy or political lobbying.
• Proposals that focus exclusively on creating new websites, newsletters, and/or producing other audio visual tools (videos, documentaries, and so on)
• Stand-alone conferences/events.
• Activities that promote opportunities in international development.
• Research and academic studies.
• Public engagement projects that take place outside Canada.
• Public engagement projects that focus on developing educational and curriculum resources, teacher training, and other classroom-based activities. These projects are not eligible for PEF funding. For these types of activities, please consult the Global Classroom Initiative.

For information on PEF projects previously approved, please refer to the Project Browser.

If you are unsure whether your organization meets the eligibility criteria, please contact your CIDA Canadian Regional Office or CIDA headquarters (for applicants from Ontario and Québec).

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Application Process

The Public Engagement Fund will begin accepting project proposals on June 15, 2009, for eight (8) consecutive weeks, thus until August 7, 2009.

* Before completing the application form, please read the PEF Guidelines.

1. Before taking the time and effort to complete the application form, contact us to discuss organization's eligibility and/or your project idea.
2. Create or update your organizational profile through the Partners@CIDA system.
3. Complete the application form.
4. Attach the required supporting documentation as described in the application form.
5. Send your completed application and supporting documentation (see list below) electronically to cpb.proposal@acdi-cida.gc.ca.

Application Forms must be sent electronically. Application forms will not be accepted if received by mail or by fax. Application forms will be reviewed and assessed only if they are complete, with all supporting documents. If supporting documentation cannot be sent electronically, it may be faxed to (819) 953-6357 or sent by mail.

The complete submission must include all of the following:

1. An updated organizational profile from Partners@CIDA
2. The duly completed application form:
   • Executive summary (maximum of 1 page)
   • Part 1: Narrative section
   • Part 2: Logic model, performance measurement framework and risk register
   • Part 3: Budget
   • Part 4: Additional requirements:
     • Signed anti-corruption declaration form
     • A copy of the applicant's bylaws
     • A copy of letters of incorporation/registration, letters patent, or other proof of the organization's legal status under the laws of Canada or of a province or a territory of Canada
     • Letters of support from significant partners if this is a collaborative project

Note: If you submit documents electronically, you do not need to send hard copies.

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Assessment Criteria

See Public Engagement Fund Guidelines.

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For More Information

If you are unsure whether your organization and your project meet the eligibility criteria, or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

By mail:

Canadian International Development Agency
Engagement and Training Section
Engaging Canadians Directorate
Canadian Partnership Branch
200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Québec
K1A 0G4
Attn: Public Engagement Fund

E-mail: fep-pef@acdi-cida.gc.ca

Toll free: 1-800-230-6349
Fax: (819) 953-6357

Information on CIDA's Canadian Regional Offices

(For the hearing- and speech-impaired only (TDD/TTY): 819-953-5023
Toll-free for the hearing- and speech-impaired only: 1-800-331-5018)

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Links

Equality Between Women and Men

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Guidelines and Application Form

Guidelines

Application Form (RTF Format)