SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES CAPACITY BUILD FUNDING FOR BLACK COMMUNITIES

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

August 30, 2019 (Ottawa)

On Tuesday, August 27, 2019, the Federal Government announced $25 million over five years starting in 2019-20, for projects and capital assistance that will provide Black organizations with capacity to build research, policy and service delivery capacity within our vibrant Black Canadian communities. This funding is part of the 2019 federal budget commitment of $25 million over five years for projects in recognition of the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent (UNDPAD).

Black communities from across Canada were instrumental in galvanizing community support for and driving the implementation of the Capacity Build program. The Meeting of the Minds (MOM), a gathering of 60+ Black community serving organizations from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, and the UNDPAD Push Coalition, a group of organizations working together to advocate for government results on commitments made through the 2019 federal budget led these efforts. Through MOM and the UNDPAD Push Coalition, and with assistance from the Parliamentary Black Caucus, Black communities engaged the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in the development of the program. Due to this tireless collective work, the capacity building initiatives for Black Canadian communities was approved within weeks, a process that would typically take months to achieve.

“It is important to note that time was of the essence. The organizations involved understood the need to develop a mechanism for implementing the rollout of the UNDPAD funding prior to the 2019 federal election,” said Floydeen Charles-Fridal, Executive Director of the Caribbean African Canadian Social Services Inc. (CAFCAN). “The sentiment within the Black community organizations engaged in this work is that after 400 years of Black people being subjected to anti-black racism in this country, these positive measures are long overdue.”

The five-year funding will support the development of the Canadian Institute for People of African Descent (CIPAD) and the implementation of various capacity building projects through Intermediaries.

Canadian Institute for People of African Descent (CIPAD):

• A concept proposal was submitted by the Caribbean African Canadian Social Services Inc. (CAFCAN) shortly after the announcement of Budget 2019. CAFCAN engaged Black communities nationally on CIPAD through MOM meetings over the spring and summer of 2019. CIPAD will be a national institute focused on policy, research and action.
• Next step: A feasibility study, which will include a national consultation, will commence in Fall 2019 to determine priority areas for the organization and conceive a model for governance and sustainability.

The Intermediary Model:

• The intermediary model allows for funding to flow through intermediaries from within Black communities to community organizations who deliver projects at the community level. Through this model, selected Black organizations will be regranting funds through appropriate granting processes. Black not-for-profit organizations will be able to apply for capacity-building grants.
• Next Step: Organizations to serve as intermediaries are currently being assessed based on criteria developed by ESDC and communities. The granting process design will be completed in Fall 2019 with funding expected in 2020.

“This is a historic moment for Black communities who have actively taken agency in working with the government to realize results for our people in Canada,” said Sylvia Parris Drummond, CEO Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute. “As Black Communities, we have started a new chapter in our relationship with the Federal Government where the Capacity Build fund will enable us, collectively, to lay a good foundation for medium and long term engagement that will influence and keep accountable all Federal Departments for the investments in both funding, policies and relationships that impact our communities.”

#UNDPADCanada
#forusbyus

Associated links
Canada Commits to Honoring Black Canadians
Recognizing the International Decade for People of African Descent
International Decade for People of African Descent

For information contact:

Floydeen Charles Fridel
Phone: 416 740 1056
Email: FCharles-Fridal@cafcan.org

Sylvia Parris-Drummond
Phone: 902-802-5989
Email: sylvia.parris@dbdli.ca

Richard Sharpe
Phone: 613-889-8140
Email: richard.sharpe.d@gmail.com