FinDev Canada, Canada’s newly launched development finance institution (DFI), has announced its first transaction:  a US$10 million investment in M-KOPA, a leading ‘pay-as-you-go’ energy provider to off-the-grid homes.  This first investment exemplifies FinDev Canada’s stated commitment to enabling transactions with substantial developmental impact around economic growth and job creation, improving the lives of women, and reducing poverty and environmental impact.  FinDev Canada joins existing M-KOPA investors including the CDC Group, the United Kingdom’s development finance institution.

Press release - FinDev Canada

The Government of Canada is contributing more than CAD16 million (US$12 million) toward projects that will advance gender equality and protect human rights, including those of women and girls; address gender-based violence; support women’s engagement in peace processes; and support the implementation of the women, peace, and security agenda.   These projects are scattered around the globe, but will predominantly focus on countries in Africa and in the Middle East. 

Press release - Global Affairs Canada

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), Nutrition International, and Global Affairs Canada have launched a WAGGGS-Nutrition International partnership to ensure no girl is held back by poor nutrition. Through engaging and practical activities, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts between the ages 6 and 19 will learn about the importance of eating the right quality, the right variety, and the right amount of food in Bangladesh, Madagascar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. This project was made possible through a CAD2.1 million (US$1.6 million) investment from the government of Canada.

Press release - Nutrition International

Nutrition International has been awarded a US$734,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to begin the groundwork for a global strategy for the control of folate deficiency and related neural tube defects. Through its Nutrition Technical Assistance Mechanism (NTEAM) Nutrition International will lead a folate task team, with inputs from global experts.   Dr. Homero Martinez, the Senior Technical Advisor, will be the project lead for Nutrition International’s folate task team and responsible for coordinating all efforts and convening this task force, launched in February 2018.

Press release - Nutrition International

Oxfam Canada has released its Feminist Scorecard 2018: Turning Feminist Promises Into Progress report, in which it outlines Canada's successes with respect to  Canada’s first Feminist International Assistance Policy, the launch of the second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, and the development of Canada’s first gender budget.  The report also outlines how Canada lags behind when addressing investments in child care, action on gender-based violence, and pay equity.

Report - Oxfam Canada

Presented by Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance, Canada’s 2018 budget outlined that the government would be providing CAD2 billion (US$1.56 billion) over five years in new resources to expand programming that will contribute to eradicating poverty and building a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous world.  The government indicated that the allocation of this funding will be announced in the coming year.

Government website – Government of Canada Budget 2018

Canada’s 2018 budget stated that the government would be providing CAD1.5 billion (US$1.17 billion) over five years to the International Assistance Innovation Program and the Sovereign Loans Program.  These programs are intended to give the government greater flexibility for financing arrangements and partnerships, and diversify the tools Canada has to engage partner countries and international development organizations.  These programs are to be funded by reallocating existing resources.

Government website – Government of Canada Budget 2018

Canada’s 2018 budget outlined targets whereby Canada will shift its programming with no gender equality focus from 30% to 5% to ensure that at least 95% of Canada’s bilateral development assistance either targets or integrates gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls by 2021–22.  As well, the government announced it would strengthen its focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights by doubling its commitment to CAD650 million (US$508.6 million) over the next three years.  Finally, Canada committed to boosting bilateral assistance to sub-Saharan African countries from 46% to 50% of Canada’s bilateral assistance by 2021–22.

Government website – Government of Canada Budget 2018

IDRC announced funding for two new projects supporting research that studies the most effective ways to empower women, prevent gender-based violence, and make digital platforms work for inclusive development in India.  The CAD1.7 million (US$1.4 million) will enable researchers to examine and seek to improve the employment relationships and working conditions of homeworkers in global supply chains, and analyze business practices in global supply chains and estimate their impact on working conditions, productivity, and the wellbeing of workers, with an emphasis on women.

Press release – IDRC