The overall goal of the Canada Fund Program is to enhance the economic, cultural and social life of the people of eligible developing countries. This is to be achieved by financing small projects involving technical, economic, educational, cultural, and/or social development assistance to the local populations in eligible countries of accreditation of the Canadian Mission. Any Canada Fund project approved within a Canada Fund Program must be compatible with Canada’s Official Development Assistance and Official Assistance policies, which state:
The purpose of Canada’s Official Development Assistance is to support sustainable development in developing countries in order to reduce poverty and to contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world.
The wording of this statement provides for two-arching policies for Canadian ODA:
• Sustainable development
• Poverty reduction
In addition, Canada in the World indicates six program priorities for Canadian ODA:
• Basic human needs
• Women in development (gender equality)
• Infrastructure services
• Human rights, democracy, and good governance
• Private sector development
• The environment