Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Published purpose

The project helps strengthen the effectiveness of South African municipalities in the Eastern Cape. It focuses on those with high poverty rates and a solid commitment to governance reform to stimulate local growth and job creation, implement climate change action measures, and deliver better and more inclusive public services. The amendment will leverage and augment the capacity of this project to enable a rapid, direct and efficient response. The $400,000 funding increase responds to the South African government's emergency appeal, as articulated in May with the United Nations, and will not change the project's scope. It allowed for immediate support to COVID-19 response activities of the six partner municipalities. An increase in the project ensures a timely gender-sensitive response, given FCM's established networks, relationships and systems already in place. Specifically, this increase will support women entrepreneurs in recovering from the economic impact of COVID-19. Also, it will enhance community awareness on how to stay safe; provide IT support and technology to allow municipalities to conduct business virtually and communicate with their constituents; provide sanitizers, disinfectants and soap; and water tanks in water-constrained communities to help protect vulnerable populations.