Announcement of development projects in Madagascar

Canada today announced funding of over $7.5 million in development assistance for projects in Madagascar that address needs related to education, food aid and entrepreneurship.

Competent Malagasy Youth at Work - $6.2 million

The University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières is the proposed partner for this project, which will enable 2,500 young Malagasy men and women to enter the workforce in the construction, public works, tourism, accommodation, food services and entrepreneurship sectors in Antananarivo, Ambositra and Antsiranana. Nine of Madagascar’s public educational institutions will be able to enhance their capacity to develop and implement targeted training programs and activities to support entrepreneurship. This initiative will strengthen cooperation between educational institutions and private-sector and civil-society organizations in order to provide youth with job-integration services.

World Food Programme - $1.265 million

Funding provided to the World Food Programme in response to El Niño will be used to distribute food and implement food-for-work or cash-for-work programs to address the food needs of people affected by the drought in southern Madagascar.

Canada Fund for Local Initiatives - $113,000

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) projects will provide training for young Madagascan men and women in areas such as entrepreneurship and crafts. These projects will also help to improve governance and sustainable economic growth in various sectors in Madagascar. The CFLI is a program that supports small projects proposed and implemented by local organizations and other community organizations, such as village councils, cooperatives and women’s groups.