Canada fund approves grants to 11 programs

MANILA, Philippines - Eleven proposals were awarded financial grants under the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives program run by the Canadian embassy.

“For this year, projects that directly align with Canada’s priority themes of advancing democracy, ensuring security and stability, and stimulating sustainable economic growth, were considered, “Christopher Thornley, Canada’s ambassador to the Philippines, said.  “We are very pleased to be able to work with the successful applicants to enhance ongoing efforts to bring positive change in communities across the country.”

The 11 projects are: 

• The People’s Initiative for Learning and Community Development will promote the inclusion of disaster risk reduction in the teaching curriculum and the development of school-based disaster contingency plans in select schools in Benguet.

• The Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. will work to enhance understanding and capacity in the security sector on democratic participation in local governance, peace building and conflict transformation in conflict-affected areas in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

• The Autism Society Philippines Laguna Chapter will support community-based rehabilitation programs for children with disabilities through the active participation of their families and cooperation of the local government of Los Baños.

• The Ateneo Public Interest & Legal Advocacy Center of Ateneo de Davao will train lawyers, paralegals and development workers in assisting vulnerable communities in Davao City, particularly people in conflict areas, violent relationships, indigenous peoples, internally displaced communities, women, children and people living with HIV and AIDS.

• The Balay Rehabilitation Center will promote cooperation between civil society, the Commission on Human Rights, and local government units to address human rights violations; and contribute to the strengthening of a national human rights framework for civilian protection.

• Young Public Servants will promote the active participation of the youth in the 2013 elections.

• Vera Files will train a network of 15 local journalists and 10 civil society representatives to report on the 2013 elections. A microsite will also be set-up as the platform for the network’s output.

• The Pinoy IHRTP Alumni Inc. will build on a continuing initiative to develop a network of human rights educators in the country.

• The Strategic Intervention on Community-focused Action towards Development Committee of Oriental Mindoro will focus on increasing the employability and livelihood opportunities of small scale miners through agricultural and fishery production, mangrove forest ecotourism, and indigenous peoples cultural heritage artwork and crafts production.

• The consortium of the Ateneo Human Rights Center, Ateneo School of Government and CODE-NGO will work to link various innovative human rights initiatives by civil society groups towards supporting broader human rights advocacy. 

• C3 Philippines, Inc. will establish a cooperative of accredited tour guides that will manage a sustainable tourism program in Busuanga, Palawan.

Canada Fund is a competitive small grants program that provides direct funding assistance to community groups, non-government organizations, people’s organizations and in exceptional cases, intfor small development projects addressing governance, economic, and other social development issues.