ARCHIVED – Francophone integration pathway (FIP)

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• New for 2024 Call for proposals (CFP)
• Description
• General priorities in support of the FIP
• How will your application be evaluated?
• Direct services
  • The Online Single Window for Francophone Pre-Arrival Services
  • Corridor for the selection and retention of French teachers in Canada
• Indirect services
  • Indirect services with a provincial/regional scope – Réseaux en immigration francophone
  • Indirect services with a national/sectoral scope
• References for applicants

Description

Since 2018, consolidating and strengthening the Francophone Integration Pathway has been at the heart of the Francophone Immigration Strategy. It was designed to support the successful integration and retention of French-speaking newcomers and strengthen the vitality of Francophone and Acadian communities. It is also an important part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration, which reaffirms the Government’s commitment to the protection and promotion of our two official languages, the preservation of French, and the vitality of official language minority communities.

This stream outlines IRCC’s general and specific priorities for Francophone programming that were designed following various consultations with the settlement and resettlement sectors with the intent of strengthening the Francophone Integration Pathway during this funding cycle.

General priorities in support of the FIP

In addition to the general priorities of the Settlement Program, IRCC will prioritize projects in support of the following key priorities of the Francophone Integration Pathway:

• Settlement services offered in French in areas that are currently underserved; particularly rural and small centres (IRCC will give priority to itinerant and hybrid services);
• Settlement services offered in French and adapted to the specific needs of target clients such as racialized women, youth, seniors, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community and refugees
• Support for projects identified by the Francophone community and aimed at an integrated, centralized approach to service delivery in order to facilitate access to services in French and promote a seamless pathway
• Specialized services targeted to French-speaking newcomers in a minority context facilitating their economic integration in the Canadian labour market and fostering entrepreneurship among newcomers.

How will your application be evaluated?

All projects submitted by Francophone organizations for the delivery of services in French will be evaluated according to specific criteria listed below:

• Submitted projects must describe how the expected immediate outcomes for the proposed activities will be achieved
• The CORE Principles;
• Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) criteria
• Mandatory or asset criteria, which vary depending on the services offered

Proposed projects should also show alignment with the following principles:

• Programs are tailored to the needs of French-speaking clients and use modes of delivery that are adapted to the Francophone minority context.
• Projects must be in line with the priorities established by the Francophone Immigration Network (Réseaux en immigration francophone) and/or the Francophone community table
• Projects must align with those already underway in the Francophone sector to avoid duplicate projects and ensure that services be complementary.

Direct services

• The online single window for francophone pre-arrival services
• New for the 2024 call for proposals (CFP 2024): Corridor for the selection and retention of French teachers in Canada.

The online single window for francophone pre-arrival services

Description

Francophone pre-arrival services put French-speaking permanent residents and eligible refugees in touch with settlement services delivered under the Francophone Integration Pathway before their arrival in Canada, which ensures a smooth, seamless transition upon their arrival.

Services are offered in French by Francophone organizations and enable clients to make informed decisions and to begin certain steps in their integration process while they are still abroad; such as: preparing for employment or obtaining information on French-language services in their host communities.

Francophone pre-arrival services help eligible French-speaking permanent residents to:

• Develop realistic expectations and make informed decisions, prior to their arrival, about their new life in Canada and a possible move to a Francophone community, based on specific, relevant information.
• Prepare in advance to ensure a smooth transition to Canada and facilitate faster integration into Canadian society.
• Prepare to enter the labour market and develop contacts with professionals and employers.
• Take steps to have foreign credentials recognized and begin the process to be able to work in regulated professions.
• Access settlement services and other types of community supports in French quickly and easily upon their arrival in Canada.

Project scope

IRCC wishes to fund a centralized service model based on effective partnerships aimed at providing settlement services in French and ensuring a quick connection to Francophone minority communities (FMCs).

All services must meet the specific needs of French-speaking permanent residents who will settle in a Francophone community.

IRCC will only fund one service delivery project based on a collaborative model involving several partners:

• A national partner with a single window as a point of contact for all French-speaking clients, providing project management and coordination
• Regional and local partners who agree to take part in the centralized model sought by IRCC
• The application must clearly identify who the partners are (national and regional/local) and the governance structure

In order to clearly demonstrate the collaborative approach requested, please submit a single application grouping together the national partner and regional partners.

Clients must be referred to one or more local service providers based on the city of destination.

The project will include online services with a national or regional scope, as well as in-person services in Morocco. In-person services could also be considered in other countries.

Applicants must demonstrate the existence of established partnerships or networks and their ability to refer clients to appropriate settlement services and other community services throughout Canada (not including Quebec).

Project proposals must clearly describe the planned approach for referring clients to local settlement support services.

Applicants must also clearly demonstrate that services will not be duplicated.

Pre-arrival services will also include a concerted promotion strategy to increase the visibility of the Guichet unique and its services.

Immediate expected outcomes

As described in the (Re) Settlement Program Logic Model, there are 6 expected immediate outcomes, which are linked to the direct activities of pre-arrival services:

1. Increased understanding of clients general and language needs and assets to facilitate settlement and language training pathways and outcome assessment

• Clearly describe how the Needs and Assets Assessment and Referral Services (NAARS) proposed in your project will contribute to this outcome.
  • For example, explain how, through pre-arrival services, the NAARS will improve understanding of clients’ needs and inform client referrals to other French-language settlement services prior to their arrival and in Canada, thereby facilitating quick access to Francophone community supports once clients are in Canada.

2. Clients increase knowledge of life in Canada

• For the proposed information and orientation activities, clearly describe how your activity will contribute to this outcome.
  • For example, explain how clients will learn about different aspects of life in Canada, including the possibility of settling in French; develop realistic expectations; and make informed decisions about their settlement and integration into Canadian society before they arrive in the country, through accurate and relevant information and orientation activities.

3. Clients improve labour market knowledge, employment-related language skills, job search skills, connections, and Canadian work experience.

• Clearly describe how the proposed employment-related activities will contribute to this outcome.
  • For example, by equipping clients, prior to their arrival, with the skills and supports they need to understand and access the Canadian labour market, make connections with professionals and employers, and by making them aware of the steps they need to take to have their foreign credentials recognized, if necessary.

4. Clients improve connections to communities and social networks.

• Clearly describe how the proposed community connection activities will help build bridges between clients and the Francophone community of destination, promote intercultural exchange, facilitate meaningful relationships and build social cohesion while clients are still abroad.

5. Settlement sector improves capacity to provide coordinated and effective settlement support to newcomers, including equity deserving groups

• Clearly describe how the proposed indirect activities will facilitate the delivery of services to eligible clients and improve the quality and effectiveness of your services.

6. Access to IRCC-funded services is facilitated

If any of the following eligible support-service activities are part of the proposal, clearly describe how it will specifically contribute to this outcome. For example, how translation or interpretation, or both, will support client understanding of services provided to ensure full participation; how digital supports will ensure that barriers to the access of services are eliminated.

Each pre-arrival service activity must be associated with one of the 6 expected immediate outcomes described herein. Once in the application form, when you select an activity, the IRCC expected immediate outcome that is associated with it will automatically populate.

Eligible activities

Needs and Assets Assessment and Referral Services (NAARS)

Description of Service

Individual or family needs and assets assessment and referral services that identify the preliminary needs of eligible clients and connect them with additional existing French-language settlement and community support services upon their arrival in Canada.

1. Comprehensive needs assessment

A comprehensive assessment of clients’ needs in several settlement and integration areas, based on a national standardized assessment template, for the purpose of referrals to other services, such as: language training; employment-related services (including referrals to professional associations and professional and trade regulatory bodies for foreign credential recognition); services that connect newcomers to the community; mental and physical health services; resources for gender-based violence; community supports for specific populations; and other services that can help newcomers in their settlement journey.

2. Settlement plan and referrals

The assessment process will result in the development of a settlement plan for individuals or families that will refer them to other relevant services to guide them on their settlement pathway, such as: IRCC-funded Francophone settlement services in Canada; provincial and territorial government support programs; and community services and specialized organizations.

Information and orientation

Description of Service

1. National-level information and orientation sessions

   Group information and orientation sessions that address pre-departure and essential and immediate settlement needs in Canada, specifically in Francophone minority communities, such as

   • Life and work
   • Education systems
   • Housing
   • The Canadian labour market (job preparation, licensing requirements for regulated trades and professions, documentation, language requirements)
   • General rights and responsibilities
   • Canadian law and justice
   • Financial literacy
   • Prevention of domestic and gender-based violence
   • Health care and mental health supports
   • Canadian culture
   • Truth and Reconciliation, history and current situation of Indigenous peoples
   • Links to other settlement and community services in French
2. Local-level information and orientation sessions

   Local-level group or individual information and orientation sessions that provide information about the client’s intended community of destination and address immediate settlement needs. Sessions include information on topics such as

   • employment and labour market information for a given occupation
   • information on the cost of living, schools, housing, health and social services, culture and recreation
   • other settlement and community services
   • language training
3. Targeted information and orientation sessions

   Group or individual information and orientation sessions tailored to specific eligible client groups (e.g. youth, women, seniors, 2SLGBTQI+, and newcomers with disabilities) that provide information on topics such as:

   • rights and responsibilities relevant to a specific group
   • settlement and community supports tailored to specific client groups
   • mental health supports
   • relevant government benefits

Employment-related services

Description of Service: Services that provide clients with the skills and support services needed to access the Canadian labour market in Francophone minority communities; prior to their arrival.

The following activities are eligible:

1. Employability workshops
   • Offer employment information and counselling (e.g. one-on-one employment counselling or workshops) to provide eligible clients with information on how to access occupations related to their experience and skills, and to refer them to occupation-specific programs and employment support services available in French in their community of destination. This type of information should help them identify whether the desired occupation is regulated and facilitate the foreign credential recognition process.
2. Employment counselling
   • Develop job search skills: resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, networking skills, Canadian workplace culture and communication, interpersonal skills, etc.
   • Help eligible clients to learn about starting a business and entrepreneurship by providing them with information and referrals to specialized services and other related services offered to newcomers (e.g. connecting clients with professionals or programs that support newcomer entrepreneurship).
3. Networking events
   • Provide clients with opportunities to connect and network with professionals and employers in their field (e.g. to help build professional networks), through activities such as mentoring, networking events or virtual job fairs.

Note: Networking activities and job fairs that are preceded by general or intensive candidate preparation sessions (e.g. coaching) could be eligible activities.

Community connections

Description of Service

As part of the pre-arrival program, IRCC will fund the following activity:

1. Matching activities (Canada Connects):

   Matching with volunteers (Canadians or long-term residents of Canada) in the client’s community destination to obtain support in navigating the client’s new community in Canada, establish local networks, develop soft skills and meet life goals.

Support services

Description of Service

1. Written translation and oral interpretation

   While direct service delivery in a local language is preferred, interpretation and translation services may be considered for in-person and online delivery of national-level orientation sessions and needs and assets assessment and referral services, to ensure that clients have access to -and benefit from- relevant settlement information.

2. Digital supports

   Digital supports for eligible clients who need help accessing IRCC-funded settlement services remotely.

   Note: Digital literacy activities are not eligible. Digital literacy is the ability to use technology or the internet in the most appropriate way for personal or professional purposes (e.g. knowing how to use social media appropriately).

Indirect services

Description of Service

Indirect activities that support the delivery of direct pre-arrival services:

1. Service capacity building
   • Gather or improve digital/online tools that contribute to improved settlement outcomes for clients, such as the use of emerging technologies to support delivery of pre-arrival services and the use of user-centric design principles to improve the client experience.
   • Collect information products, websites and other resources and share them with clients to support their understanding of the topics listed under Information and Orientation Services.
   • Produce information products to share with French-speaking clients about Canada and their Francophone community of destination.
2. Outreach and promotion
   • Promotion and outreach to increase the visibility and accessibility of Francophone pre-arrival services in French, especially by implementing a promotion strategy.
3. Sector coordination and engagement
   • Participate in conferences and video calls organized by the coordinating body for pre-arrival services to improve capacity and collaboration among settlement service providers that offer pre-arrival services and to coordinate the delivery of pre-arrival services.

Service delivery method

In-person services will continue to be offered in Morocco (and potentially in other countries) by way of mobile services. All other pre-arrival activities will be delivered online in a variety of formats:

• Remote (online/digital) – staff-led
• Remote (online/digital) – self-directed by client
• Remote via telephone/email/SMS

Applicants must also specify the target audience for each of the proposed activities in their online application form (several audiences can be selected for each activity):

• For direct services: group, individual or family
• For indirect services: individual organizations, local non-settlement service delivery partners, the entire sector, or a community or service area

Mandatory and asset criteria for pre-arrival service applications

Mandatory criteria

In addition to meeting the CORE principles and EDI criteria, applicants must clearly indicate how they meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate experience in delivering a project of provincial and/or national scope
• Demonstrate the organization’s ability to provide pre-arrival settlement services online effectively and efficiently
• Demonstrate the ability to provide services in different time zones
• Demonstrate the existence of established partnerships/networks and the ability to refer clients to other French-language services across Canada. Project proposals must clearly describe the planned approach for referring clients to regional partners and other French-language services at the local level in Canada; as well as demonstrating a comprehensive and fair process for providing referrals to appropriate services across Canada.

Asset criteria

IRCC may give priority to proposals that meet the following criteria:

• Experience as a pre-arrival program service provider
• Application of Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) in the design, implementation and assessment of proposed projects.
• For more information on GBA Plus, please refer to the CFP 2024 overview.

New for CFP 2024: Corridor for the selection and retention of French teachers in Canada

Description

The corridor for the selection and retention of French teachers in Canada is an initiative funded under the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028, which aims to support the federal government’s efforts to counter the shortage of French-language and French as a second language teachers in Francophone minority schools across the country.

The corridor is an initiative that spans the entire immigration continuum, including activities aimed at increasing foreign recruitment of primary- and secondary-level French and French-speaking teachers, who will then immigrate to and settle in Canada, in provinces other than Quebec.

These guidelines apply only to the integration and settlement activity streams.

Overall objective

To promote the integration and retention of newcomers in the Francophone education sector in minority communities via services that are specific to their needs.

Expected outcomes

IRCC’s expected immediate outcomes, as described in the logic model for the Settlement Program and Resettlement Assistance Program, are written to capture the overall results for all projects that deliver a particular set of activities.

There are 2 IRCC expected immediate outcomes associated with the corridor for teachers, which include employment-related services, employment-related language training and indirect services activities.

1. Clients improve their labour market knowledge, Canadian work experience, employment-related language skills, job-search skills and their ability to make connections

• If direct employment-related activities are part of your proposal, clearly describe how they will contribute to this outcome.
  • For example, by equipping clients, prior to their arrival, with the skills and the supports they need to understand and access the Canadian labour market, make connections with professionals and employers, and take steps to have their foreign credentials recognized; if necessary.
• If employment-related language training activities are part of your proposal, clearly describe how they will contribute to this outcome.
  • For example, by identifying how improving language skills related to the labour market (or a specific occupation) will help clients connect to the Canadian labour market.

2. The settlement sector builds its capacity to provide coordinated, effective support to newcomers, including equity-deserving groups (for indirect services only)

• Clearly describe how the proposed indirect activities will facilitate the delivery of services to eligible clients and improve the quality and effectiveness of your services.

Each eligible activity must be associated with one of the two expected immediate outcomes described below. When you select an activity in the application form, the IRCC expected immediate outcome that is associated with that activity will automatically populate.

Eligible activities

The eligible activities identified below should not prevent any applicant from submitting projects that align with the overall objective of this corridor.

Eligible clients and applicants funded under the corridor are the same as those indicated in the “eligible clients” and “eligible applicants” section of the direct and indirect base services. However, clients who receive corridor-related services must also demonstrate that they have experience teaching abroad and/or wish to pursue a teaching career in a Francophone community.

Employment-related services

Description

IRCC intends to fund projects that will help both foreign-trained French-speaking teachers and any eligible newcomers who are interested in working in education in French to obtain essential information about the profession and to prepare for its realities. This service will be available to eligible clients before they arrive -and after they settle- in Canada.

Organizations must also demonstrate that they have already established -or are capable of- establishing relationships with provincial and territorial education regulatory bodies, credential recognition organizations and key Francophone organizations advancing in this sector to ensure coordinated approaches.

The corridor will offer employment-related services activities to reduce barriers in this high-demand area. Eligible activities include the following:

Direct activities

Employment counselling

Personalized support related to searching for jobs in the sector (navigating job search platforms, interview coaching sessions, resume and cover letter writing, etc.)

• Personalized support related to having credentials recognized by the regulatory bodies of the designated provinces and territories, as well as support for obtaining certification to teach in the destination province

Employment workshops

Orientation sessions with regulatory bodies and ministries of education

• Information sessions on professional development programs available in the province of destination for teaching French and French as a second language
• Orientation session on the future field of employment (education system in Canada, specifically the school system in the province of destination and any necessary information related to teachers’ duties in Canada)
• Sessions to develop the skills needed for the profession (curriculum presentation workshop; classroom management module, presentation of classroom resources; software use; digital literacy; etc.)

Networking events

• Provide clients with opportunities to connect and network with professionals and employers in the field of Francophone education in minority communities through activities such as mentoring and networking events.
• Offer opportunities to be matched with experienced teachers for guidance and best practices.

Indirect activities

Outreach and promotion

Engage in promotion and outreach to increase the visibility and accessibility of these services. Promotion must align with existing efforts.

Service capacity building

• Develop or improve digital/online tools that contribute to improved settlement outcomes for your clients.
• Collect information products, websites and other resources and share them with clients to support their understanding of the topics listed above.

Service delivery method

Services will be delivered in the following formats:

• In person
• Remote (online/digital) – staff-led
• Remote (online/digital) – self-directed by client
• Remote via telephone/email/SMS
• Hybrid (in-person and online)

Applicants must also specify the target audience for each of the proposed activities in their online application form (several audiences can be selected for each activity):

• For indirect services: individual organizations, local non-settlement service delivery partners, the entire sector, or a community or service area

Mandatory and asset criteria for employment-related services in support of the corridor

Mandatory criteria

In addition to meeting the CORE principles and EDI criteria, applicants must clearly indicate how they meet the following criteria

• Experience in delivering a project of provincial and/or national scope
• Significant experience in the Francophone education sector in a minority community
• Ability to demonstrate support for the project from the various provincial and territorial educational regulatory bodies or demonstrate the ability to develop partnerships with these bodies for the delivery of services
• Ability to demonstrate the existence of established partnerships/networks in the pan-Canadian Francophone community and the ability to refer clients to other pre-arrival services, services at the local level and other types of community supports across Canada

Asset criteria

IRCC may give priority to proposals that meet the following criteria.

• Preference will be given to projects with a national or regional scope and a concerted
• Experience in service delivery

Occupation-specific language training

Description of Service

IRCC will fund projects that will help develop the language and communications skills necessary to understand workplace culture in the field of Francophone education in minority communities in order to facilitate the integration of eligible individuals into this high-demand field after they arrive in Canada.

Please refer to the guidelines on language assessment and training services for more details on activities and eligibility criteria for “occupation-specific language training.”

Indirect services

Description

Indirect services include services that promote capacity building among service providers and coordination within the settlement program to optimize client outcomes. These services are crucial to consolidating the Francophone Integration Pathway. Strengthened capacity within the Francophone settlement sector would have a direct impact on the quality of settlement services for French-speaking newcomers and ultimately contribute to the vitality of Francophone and Acadian communities. This is why the Action Plan for Official Languages identifies capacity building among Francophone service providers as one of its priorities.

Overview

Indirect services fall into 2 categories:

1. Indirect services with a provincial/regional scope.
2. Indirect services with a national/sectoral scope, which include projects that can be applied at a national or multi-regional level and benefit all or part of the settlement sector through effective engagement, guidance and representation of the sector

Projects to be funded must include at least one of the indirect services listed below.

Expected outcomes

IRCC’s expected immediate outcomes, as described in the Logic Model for the Settlement Program and Resettlement Assistance Program, are written to capture the overall results for all projects that deliver a particular set of activities.

There are 2 expected outcomes for indirect services:

1. The settlement sector builds its capacity to provide coordinated, effective support to newcomers; including equity-deserving groups
2. Partners outside the settlement sector improve their ability to provide support to various groups of newcomers in all sectors and in small, medium and large communities, including Francophone minority communities

The application system will automatically fill in the expected outcome associated with the field in question, depending on the activity selected.

Delivery method

All services must be offered in the following formats:

• Remote (online/digital) – staff-led
• Remote (online/digital) – self-directed by client
• Remote via telephone/email/text message

Funding applicants must also specify the target audience for each of the proposed project activities in their online application form (several audiences can be selected for each activity):

• For indirect services: individual organizations, local non-settlement service delivery partners, the entire sector, or a community or service area

Indirect services with a provincial/regional scope – Réseaux en immigration francophone

Description

Réseaux en immigration francophone (RIFs) are responsible for cooperation, collaboration and engagement work around issues related to attracting, integrating and retaining newcomers in Francophone communities. This role is now strengthened to ensure the success of the Francophone Integration Pathway and the implementation of the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative in targeted locations. RIFs do not offer direct services, but they do help organize and align an integrated and coordinated continuum of services “by and for Francophones” in each of their regions.

IRCC wishes to fund Réseaux en immigration francophone to strengthen leadership and capacity so that they can effectively engage key stakeholders and play an active and strategic role in the Francophone sector and the settlement sector as a whole. The proposed activities must be aligned with the new logic model.

Eligible activities

Community engagement/partnerships

• Develop strategic plans that inform the community, IRCC and the national coordination of the priorities of FIN members
• Participate in and represent the RIF at provincial and national events related to Francophone immigration or settlement
• Co-plan initiatives in collaboration with IRCC and other institutional and community stakeholders
• Help create and oversee the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiatives (where applicable)
• Conduct promotion activities for Francophone settlement services and communities to improve referrals for French-speaking clients, including, for example:
  • mapping Francophone settlement services
• Hold a collaborative forum, promote coordinated service approaches, and encourage the sharing of best practices, partnership development and effective communication of information
• Establish and maintain a steering committee and terms of reference for the RIF
• Establish an action plan to make progress on identified priorities
• Support members in implementing priorities
• Help make training available that supports member capacity
• Support local Francophone immigration committees (where applicable)
• Organize activities that develop intercultural skills
• Organize anti-discrimination and anti-racism activities
• Organize activities that promote diversity within communities
• Organize activities that facilitate meaningful connections, build shared understanding and promote social cohesion among Indigenous peoples, newcomers and Canadians (e.g. sharing Indigenous experiences and connections to newcomers, blanket exercises, teachings from elders, land stewardship, nature interpretation)
• Support the Department’s specific priorities in terms of anti-racism, gender equality, and truth and reconciliation to address inequalities faced by various populations that experience greater barriers to services (e.g. women, youth, 2SLGBTQI+, racialized newcomers, seniors, people with disabilities) and to address specific needs (e.g. gender-based violence, mental health needs)
• Conduct outreach, attraction and retention activities to support the vitality of Francophone minority communities

Evidence and innovation

• Conduct research and consultations (e.g. via subcontracting) on the needs of French-speaking newcomers or community gaps
• Organize activities that bring together the various Francophone partners that work with refugees in the same region (settlement services, ethnocultural associations, and religious groups, etc.)

To facilitate relationships with non-Francophone organizations, IRCC encourages organizations to add fees for simultaneous interpretation for indirect activities, where applicable.

Mandatory and asset criteria for Réseaux en immigration francophone applications

Mandatory criteria

In addition to meeting the CORE principles and EDI criteria, applicants must clearly indicate how they meet the following criteria.

• Demonstrate support from the RIF Steering Committee or key partners in the Francophone community through letters of support
• Demonstrate experience in community cooperation
• Demonstrate experience in delivering a project of provincial and/or national scope
• Demonstrate, through specific projects, the existence of well-established partnerships and networks with other provincial and/or national Francophone organizations in various sectors (e.g. settlement, employability, education, health, women, seniors, parents, 2SLGBTQI+, ethnocultural organizations)

Asset criteria

IRCC may give priority to proposals that meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate, through previously-established partnerships or with a clear explanation in the proposed application, an interest in collaborating with Anglophone umbrella organizations to further the objectives of the Francophone Integration Pathway (e.g. an Anglophone umbrella organization, Local Immigration Partnerships (LIP)).
• Demonstrate the intention to develop and share tools that incorporate Indigenous content with direct service providers funded by IRCC and the Francophone community.
• Apply Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) in the design, implementation and assessment of proposed projects.

For more information on GBA Plus, please refer to the CFP 2024 overview.

Indirect services with a national/sectoral scope

Francophone immigration coordination and events

Description

National coordinating bodies and associated events promote a “by and for Francophones” approach, providing essential mechanisms for coordination within organizations and with the government. They work together to engage Francophone communities and promote Francophone immigration objectives and strategies throughout the immigration and integration continuum. These bodies also support information-sharing and collaboration between multiple Francophone stakeholders and partners, and help strengthen governance within the sector. They also help identify and analyze the sector’s cross-cutting challenges and strategically communicate these needs to the government.

General objectives

• Coordination between national and provincial/territorial stakeholders is improved.
• Key issues and needs are communicated to the government to improve programs and practices (in settlement).
• Stakeholders are engaged and made aware of the challenges and opportunities that come with Francophone immigration.
• Stakeholders adapt their approaches and services to the needs of French-speaking newcomers.

Eligible activities

Governance mechanism(s) in Francophone immigration

Sector coordination and engagement

• Governance mechanism(s) to foster national coordination and collaboration on Francophone immigration for all communities and the government. Action-oriented forums for stakeholders in the Francophone community to discuss, identify and analyze cross-cutting issues with the goal of improving the sector and communicating needs or key information to government representatives (including the IRCC-FMC Committee).
• Community coordination
• Evaluation and development of a Community Strategic Plan for Francophone immigration
• Support learning in terms of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)

National Francophone immigration event

Sector coordination and engagement

Organization of an annual national event on Francophone immigration in provinces other than Quebec to bring together academics, stakeholders from the Francophone community and government representatives to take stock of challenges, opportunities and best practices, and to facilitate knowledge dissemination and discussion to support efforts in this area. This annual event should be organized in collaboration with representatives from IRCC, the academic community and the Francophone community sector.

National coordination and capacity building for Réseaux en immigration francophone

The success of the Réseaux en immigration francophone (RIFs) relies on the ability of RIF coordinators to develop expertise in cooperation, engagement and strategic planning. To build their capacity, IRCC would like a national coordination role to provide them with structured operational support and comprehensive guidance to ensure the strategic and professional development of the RIF’s coordinators. This role includes the following activities:

Sector coordination and engagement

• Coordinate and promote initiatives as part of National Francophone Immigration Week
• Report on the challenges, successes, needs and priorities of RIFs
• Prepare measures and strategies to promote inclusion and diversity within RIFs

Building capacity for service delivery

• Prepare a continuous training plan that includes orientation for new RIF staff members.
• Organize joint learning and planning days
• Create/maintain a toolbox to specify the main functions duties to RIF coordination roles (e.g. typical frameworks, normal activities, typical skills required)
• Take steps to promote effective sharing of information and best practices for the purpose of community consultation
• Organize activities to strengthen anti-discrimination and anti-racism awareness
• Support the Department’s specific priorities in terms of anti-racism, gender equality, and Truth and Reconciliation to address inequalities faced by various populations that experience greater barriers to services (e.g. women, youth, 2SLGBTQI+, racialized newcomers, seniors, people with disabilities) and to address specific needs (e.g. in relation to gender-based violence, mental health needs).

Mandatory and asset criteria for Francophone immigration coordination and events applications

Mandatory criteria

In addition to meeting the CORE principles and EDI criteria, applicants must clearly indicate how they meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate considerable experience and knowledge of Francophone community governance and general immigration issues
• Demonstrate experience in national coordination of community organizations
• Demonstrate good community cooperation skills at the national level

Asset criteria

IRCC may give priority to proposals that meet the following criteria:

• Apply Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) in the design, implementation and assessment of proposed projects. For more information on GBA Plus, please refer to the 2024 CFP overview.

Building capacity for employer engagement

Description

To facilitate the economic integration of French-speaking newcomers, IRCC would like to fund initiatives that build the capacity of service providers to engage employers, with the goal of supporting newcomer employment, occupational health and safety, job retention and advancement. In building stronger connections between service providers and employers, service providers will have a better understanding of their needs and can adapt their programming accordingly. In turn, employers will be more likely to consider newcomers and their needs as they seek to meet their labour needs.

In collaboration with IRCC, initiatives will also aim to inform educate employers about federal programs designed to facilitate the international recruitment of Francophone and bilingual, skilled foreign workers.

General objectives

• Local employers and economic stakeholders have access to information and resources.
• Employers and economic stakeholders help economic newcomers to successfully integrate into FMCs.

Eligible activities

Employer engagement

• Provide employers with information on support for worker recruitment
• In collaboration with IRCC, raise awareness of federal programs designed to facilitate the international recruitment of Francophone and bilingual, skilled foreign workers
• Engage and involve Canadian employers in recruiting French-speaking newcomers in Canada and abroad

Building the capacity of the sector

• Networking initiatives between service providers who play an active role in employer engagement, such as: immigrant employment councils, to support the sharing of best practices and develop shared resources.

Evidence and innovation

• Research, training and professional development tools to help service providers engage employers in areas such as building and maintaining employer relationships and understanding employer needs.

Mandatory and asset criteria for building capacity for employer engagement applications

Mandatory criteria

In addition to meeting the CORE principles and EDI criteria, applicants must clearly indicate how they meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate complementarity with employer engagement initiatives funded by provinces and territories, other federal departments or other funders.
• Demonstrate experience in employer engagement.

Asset criteria

IRCC may give priority to proposals that meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with Réseaux en immigration francophone and other community partners to diversify the service offering and maximize outcomes.
• Apply Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) in the design, implementation and assessment of proposed projects. For more information on GBA Plus, please refer to the 2024 CFP Overview.

New for CFP 2024: Centre of Excellence for the Francophone Settlement Sector

Description

The work conducted over the past three years by the National Advisory Committee on Francophone Settlement (Comité consultatif national en établissement francophone) confirmed the interest in and need for a national body to support Francophone direct service providers. This would help build the capacity of these service providers to meet the needs of newcomers and address challenges such as: limited access to resources in French and limited sharing of best practices among organizations that work with immigrant clients.

This is why IRCC wishes to support a centre of excellence to ensure the development and expertise of the Francophone settlement sector. The centre of excellence will adopt a “by and for Francophones” approach to bring together, support and build the capacity of direct service providers around technical issues, focusing on service delivery.

General objectives

• Francophone settlement service providers have improved knowledge, tools, resources and skills to help them provide settlement assistance services.
• The Francophone sector is strengthened by better intersectoral, regional and national collaboration and better sharing of best practices in service.

The centre of excellence must ensure that its activities align with and complement the existing Francophone immigration ecosystem. It actively collaborates with key Francophone immigration stakeholders to contribute to the professional development of the Francophone settlement sector.

Eligible activities

Sector coordination and engagement

• Strengthen the representation of Francophone direct service providers within the settlement sector.
• Act as an advisory body with expertise in the Francophone settlement sector.

Sector capacity building

• Identify, develop and share best practices, tools and resources in French for the benefit of all Francophone service providers.
• Set out qualification requirements in terms of organizational capacity.
• Develop standards in areas such as the qualification of service professionals and uniform HR practices (including comparable salaries) in the aim of making the settlement sector more professional.

Standardization of services

• Oversee/support the standardization of the service offering.
• Support the professionalization and strengthening of expertise within the sector by developing training courses in French and tools that meet the needs of Francophone service providers.

Evidence and innovation

• Conduct research and analyses to adapt to the needs of service providers and newcomers

Mandatory and asset criteria for supporting the creation of a centre of excellence

Mandatory criteria

In addition to meeting the CORE principles and EDI criteria, applicants must clearly indicate how they meet the following criteria

• Demonstrate that proposal is based on expertise in the delivery of direct settlement services for the Francophone sector.
• Demonstrate experience creating and/or sharing tools, content, learning resources and/or best practices that can be applied nationally or multi-regionally aimed at the professional development of Francophone direct settlement services
• Demonstrate a good capacity for intersectoral, regional and national collaboration

Asset criteria

IRCC may give priority to proposals that meet the following criteria:

• Apply Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) in the design, implementation and assessment of proposed projects.

For more information on GBA Plus, please refer to the CFP 2024 overview.

National projects to build the capacity of Francophone direct service providers

Description

Capacity building is one of the pillars of the Francophone Integration Pathway and aims to equip settlement service providers with the skills and the resources they need to deliver high-quality services to clients. Capacity building implies the following activities: the development of tools and other resources, professional development, best practice activities, such as workshops or promotion of communities of practice, and outcome measurement capacity.

IRCC wishes to fund projects with a national or multi-regional scope that aim to strengthen the Francophone settlement sector and build the capacity of Francophone communities by providing access to training and tools and promoting the sharing of information and best practices in French to Francophone service providers and settlement workers.

In particular, projects should focus on specific areas and target clients, such as employability, health, education in French, justice, seniors, parents and families, 2SLGBTQI+ and women.

Where relevant, proposed projects must align with other initiatives already underway in Francophone minority communities to ensure that services are complementary and to prevent services from being duplicated.

Note: The organizations behind these projects will be required to work/collaborate with the future centre of excellence to coordinate efforts to share and disseminate resources/tools to direct service providers.

General objective

Francophone settlement stakeholders have improved knowledge, tools, resources and skills to help them provide settlement assistance services.

Eligible activities

Sector capacity building

• National or multi-regional professional training, tailored to Francophone minority communities and designed for Francophone direct service providers to increase their capacity to work with and effectively meet the needs of various clients (e.g. refugees, women, youth, seniors, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+)
• Training, tools, sharing of best practices to support service providers on topics such as diversity and intercultural communication, mental health issues, family dynamics, youth challenges, collaborating with employers, education in French and how to build effective partnerships

Mandatory and asset criteria for national projects to build the capacity of Francophone direct service providers

Mandatory criteria

In addition to meeting the CORE principles and EDI criteria, applicants must clearly indicate how they meet the following criteria:

• Experience in one or more of the following areas: development of tools and other resources, professional development, best practice activities and/or outcome measurement capacity
• Demonstrate good community consultation skills
• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with Réseaux d’immigration francophones and other community partners, such as the future centre of excellence, to maximize outcomes

Asset criteria

IRCC may give priority to proposals that meet the following criteria:

• Apply Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) in the design, implementation and assessment of proposed projects.

For more information on GBA Plus, please refer to the 2024 CFP overview.

References for applicants

• Settlement Program Terms and Conditions
• Other applicant resources

Definitions

Francophone organizations

An organization will be considered a Francophone organization if part of its mandate includes serving the interest of the Francophone community in a given region and it serves more than 50% of its clients or target groups in French.

National-level

Where applicable, settlement and orientation information should be consistent with and complementary to the national-level settlement information provided in the “Welcome to Canada” publication and other settlement products developed by IRCC. The program developed should also include appropriate links to services available in Canada, such as those offered by provincial and territorial governments and by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Local-level

Local-level services address client needs that are specific to the province, territory or community where the client intends to settle in Canada.