Browser not supportedToday, at the XVI Summit of La Francophonie, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced significant support for international aid projects in Africa and Haiti that will enhance education and agriculture and contribute to the fight against climate change and women’s empowerment.
Canada will support the following initiatives:
CLIMATE CHANGE
Pan-African Project
Strengthening climate-related risk management in Africa
$40,000,000 (2016–17 to 2020–21)
Support will be provided to The African Risk Capacity (ARC), which was established to help member states of the African Union reduce the risk of loss and damage due to extreme weather events and natural disasters caused by climate change and to provide assistance to the vulnerable populations that are hardest hit. The ARC provides a combination of insurance against climate-related risks, capacity building and early warning systems, as well as collaboration focused on the development of predefined national disaster response plans (emergency plans).
Sustainable energy and economic growth in Burkina Faso’s Boucle du Mouhoun region
$17,139,769 (2016–17 to 2019–20)
This initiative by Cowater International, a management consulting firm focused on providing services to developing and emerging economies, aims to address climate change in a particularly vulnerable region of Burkina Faso. It also aims to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the country. The project includes targeted interventions in rural electrification, promotion of solar energy, and community economic development.
Action on climate change by improving the use of renewable energy and education in schools in the Seychelles
$25,000 (2016–17)
The objective of this project under the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives is to spark curiosity and experimentation, through teaching and learning kits, about solar photovoltaic technology and other renewable energy technologies in schools in the Seychelles.
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND RESPECT FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Support for the development, professionalization and consolidation of microfinance in Benin
$17,950,000 (2016-17 to 2022–23)
This project with Développement international Desjardins is aimed at helping to improve the economic situation of Benin’s most vulnerable populations, especially women. It will support the consolidation, professionalization, and development of the microfinance sector, with a particular emphasis on strengthening the institutional capacities of the bodies responsible for its governance.
Support project for the structuring of profitable and sustainable agriculture
$5,914,818 (2016–17 to 2021–22)
This project with the Union des producteurs agricoles aims to reduce the vulnerability of 165,000 small farmers in rural Benin by supporting their farm profitability and improving their resilience to climate change. The project will also focus on creating an environment that can better support investment, innovation, and inclusive and sustainable economic growth for women.
Support project for women’s entrepreneurship in Benin’s rice sector
$9,298,143 (2016–17 to 2022–23)
The objective of this Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) initiative is to support women working in Benin’s rice parboiling sector so that they can better integrate themselves in the local market, increase their income, and participate effectively in the governance of the sector.
STIMULATING ECONOMIC GROWTH THROUGH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND YOUTH
Lasting integration of graduates in the agro-pastoral sector
$6,789,061 (November 2016 to August 2021)
The objective of this project, which is being led by the Fondation Paul-Gérin-Lajoie, is to increase the economic prosperity for Beninese, Haitian, and Malian populations through employment skills programs. It aims to strengthen: the capacity of educational institutions through better administrative, financial, and educational management; skills training in the agro-pastoral sector; development of small and medium businesses by youth, women and men; food security; and sustainable economic and agricultural development.
Skills training for the employment program in Senegal
$3,431,105 (November 2016 to August 2019)
This World Vision Canada project is aimed at improving the economic prosperity of vulnerable groups in Senegal. It will do so by working to build the management of educational institutions and teaching employment skills in a manner that takes gender equality into account. Improving the skills learned in employment programs will help the target populations meet labour market and entrepreneurship demands, in addition to fostering relationships between educational institutions and the private sector through internship programs.
Skills for employment – African Institute for Mathematical Sciences –
$6,383,080 (November 2016 to November 2021)
This project, led by the African Institute for Mathematical Science (AIMS), aims to strengthen and expand the knowledge economy in Senegal through the AIMS initiative and its master’s co-op program. It will promote the placement and hiring of male and female Senegalese scientists in business communities across La Francophonie. Particular emphasis will be placed on encouraging the participation of women scientists and on building ties with the private sector in Senegal and in other Francophonie countries.
Fit between training and employment in Kéniéba
$5 385 187$ (November 2016 to November 2019)
This project, led by CRC Sogema – a firm specializing in the management of international development projects – aims to increase economic prosperity among 800 graduates in Mali through the building and enhanced management of the Centre de formation à l’entrepreneuriat et aux techniques de la Mine de Fékola (CFETM). Project activities include the following: (1) training staff of the Mali Chamber of Mines who will be responsible for managing educational institutions and developing training modules for the extractive sector that meet the needs of the labour market; (2) training instructors using a skills-based approach; (3) developing a strategy for the placement of graduates; and (4) building ties between educational institutions and the private sector.
COUNTERTERRORISM AND PREVENTION OF RADICALIZATION TO VIOLENCE
Secure borders in northern Niger
$300,000 (November 2016 to October 2017)
This project is aimed at enhancing border security and mitigating the proliferation of terrorism in the Sahel region of Africa by strengthening the presence and capacity of the Nigerian police to help fight terrorism and counter supply mechanisms along the borders between Niger and Libya and Niger and Algeria.
Kallewa Manio – Building local capacity for an integrated approach to combat violent extremism in Diffa, Niger
$200,000 (October 2016 to September 2018)
The first steps of this project in Niger involve a research initiative in the community to develop successful programming. The organization Search For Common Ground will also hold consultations, with a focus on youth, women, and community leaders.