At the Sommet de la Francophonie in Villers-Cotterêts and in Paris, France, which took place October 4 to 5, 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the following investments to promote the French language, support La Francophonie’s institutions and Francophone cultures, and advance gender equality, peace and security, democracy, and human rights.
Development assistance and strengthening of bilateral relationships with Francophone countries
The Right to Education for Every Girl in Côte d’Ivoire
Funding: Increase of $2,050,000, for a total value of $7,050,000 over six years (2024‑25)
Description: This project aims to increase the school completion rate of girls between the ages of 10 and 18 through increased access to education and the provision of gender-sensitive, safe, and inclusive education for girls, including those with disabilities. The project also helps girls who have dropped out of school to re-enter the vocational education system so they can build a sustainable future for themselves.
Contribution to Armed Violence Reduction in the Central Sahel and Coastal West Africa Countries
Funding: $4,363,300 over two years (2023-25)
Description: This project aims to increase safety and security in communities in the Sahel and Coastal West Africa in light of the risks posed by small arms and light weapons (SALW) and explosive hazards (EH), while building the capacity of security sector agencies to effectively manage SALW and EH and respond appropriately to the threats they pose.
Strengthening an inclusive and transparent civic space
Funding: $2,739,231 over three years (2024-27)
Description: This project aims to strengthen the civic and democratic space in Benin and Senegal, with a specific focus on women and vulnerable populations. Its activities include campaigns to raise awareness about challenges related to the civic and democratic space, training for civil society organizations and human rights advocates on gender-sensitive communication and advocacy, and technical support to strengthen their security and protection.
Breaking Barriers to Girls’ Education in Chad
Funding: $2,000,000 over two years (2023-25)
Description: This project aims to reduce barriers to education and meet the needs of girls and boys in terms of nutrition, overall health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Lake Chad province. Project activities include providing meals, raising awareness about sexual rights, providing training on menstrual hygiene, and raising awareness about the importance of education for all children.
Support for La Francophonie’s operators and institutions
Funding for the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie
Funding: $850,000 over two years (2023-25)
Description: The Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) is a key player in La Francophonie on the world stage and an important partner for Canada when it comes to promoting and strengthening post-secondary education and scientific research in French. As the second-largest donor to the AUF, Canada actively supports the organization in carrying out its mission and programming. This investment will support the AUF, a La Francophonie operator based in Montréal, Quebec, in strengthening new initiatives related to its missions. More specifically, it will support the activities of the Académie internationale de la Francophonie scientifique, inaugurated in 2023 and based in Rabat, Morocco, to promote Francophone research. The investment will also be used to design an international Francophone mobility and employability program for students in La Francophonie.
Contribution to the Francophonie TV5MONDEplus Fund
Funding: $442,714 over two years (2023-25)
Description: Canada is reaffirming its support for the Francophonie TV5MONDEplus Fund with the goal of enriching the diversity of content available on the TV5MONDEplus digital platform. This investment supports the production of French-language audiovisual works in the South and ensures they are promoted and broadcast on the TV5MONDE digital platform.
Funding for the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie
Funding: $150,000 over two years (2023-25)
Description: Canada supports the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) in its efforts to strengthen democracy, advance gender equality, and promote the French language. This funding will support the APF in implementing capacity-building projects within parliaments in the Francophone world, through seminars and training on research and the French language, and the development of a legislative toolbox on gender-sensitive budgeting. It will also contribute to the annual leadership workshop for Francophone women parliamentarians organized by the Quebec National Assembly, which chairs the Network of Women Parliamentarians.
Funding for the Association internationale des maires francophones
Funding: $150,000 over one year (2023-24)
Description: This funding supports a joint project between the City of Montréal and the Association internationale des maires francophones to carry out a study on promoting the French language and Francophone identities in cities across La Francophonie. The project showcases Canada’s experience in diversity, for the benefit of Francophone communities worldwide.