Ontario Council for International Cooperation

Published purpose

The Project is a national initiative delivered across eight components over five years (2026-2031) as part of a broader effort implemented by the?Inter-Council?Network (ICN), a coalition of eight provincial and regional councils for international cooperation. Led by the Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC), the project seeks to increase awareness, understanding, and engagement among people across Ontario and Canada regarding international cooperation, gender equality, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through coordinated public engagement, capacity-building activities, policy dialogue, youth leadership initiatives, and collaborative partnerships, the project aims to foster a more informed and active constituency of people across Canada who contribute to and advocate for international development efforts. The project recognizes that effective international cooperation requires meaningful participation from diverse communities across Canada. As such, it prioritizes engagement with youth, Indigenous Peoples, diaspora communities, rural populations, francophone communities, newcomers, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and other underrepresented groups. By creating opportunities for learning, leadership development, collaboration, and policy engagement, the project seeks to ensure that a wider range of voices contribute to discussions and actions related to global development, human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development. As OCIC will serve as the host organization for the Inter-Council Network (ICN) during this initiative, it will play a dual role throughout the implementation of this project. First, it will lead Ontario-based public engagement and capacity-building initiatives that strengthen the participation of Ontarians in international development efforts. Second it will facilitate coordination, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among councils and between the sector and Global Affairs Canada (GAC), strengthening national coherence and collective impact in advancing Canada’s international development priorities. The Project activities include: (1)?strengthening public awareness of global issues by implementing storytelling and showcasing initiatives, awareness campaigns, and International Development Week (IDW) activities; (2)?building the capacity of individuals and organizations to engage with global issues through training, learning platforms, and youth leadership initiatives; and (3)?expanding access to engagement through community-led dialogues, global knowledge exchanges and administering?micro-grants?that support?community-driven?global citizenship initiatives.?