Evaluation Summary
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), 2015-16 to 2020-21
About the evaluation
¶¶ÒùÊÓƵ’s Evaluation Division conducted an evaluation of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) covering the period from 2015-16 to 2020-21. The evaluation aimed to generate insights and recommendations to inform decision-making at mission and headquarters on how best to deliver the CFLI effectively.
Key findings
- The CFLI is an effective decentralized, flexible program. Its design made it responsive to both mission and local needs while supporting departmental priorities.
- The CFLI is an effective tool for access to and engagement with local stakeholders, while promoting Canada’s brand, visibility and values abroad.
- Human resources (dedicated CFLI staff) at both HQ and mission were considered key obstacles to optimally deliver a resource-intensive program like the CFLI.
- The CFLI approach to risk management did not align with its willingness to be a risk-tolerant program. This often resulted in missions’ reluctance to partner with newer, less experienced local organizations.
- CFLI’s data and financial management systems and processes were inefficient and not sufficiently transparent. This exposed the CFLI to significant institutional risks.
- The CFLI also contributed to a wide range of positive results at the local level. Results were commensurate with the small size and short duration of CFLI projects.
Recommendations
- Conduct a strategic review that reaffirms and rearticulates the CFLI’s purpose, objectives and uses.
- Identify human resource needs at mission and HQ and explore solutions to ensure the effective delivery of the CFLI program.
- Identify and implement solutions to overcome the challenges related to CFLI’s data/financial management systems and processes.
- Ensure CFLI’s performance management framework, systems and tools can accurately define, measure, track and report on CFLI results.
- Encourage localization by updating the CFLI program’s current risk management approach and associated guidance to allow for a higher risk tolerance and, bearing in mind capacity restraints, develop guidance on how to intentionally support and strengthen the capacity of small, local organizations to serve as effective CFLI partners.
- Date modified: