International Development Grant

Agence universitaire de la Francophonie - Institutional Support 2018-2021

Project Number: CA-3-D003844001

Status: Operational

Country/Region: Unknown

Regional Focus:

Africa 41%
West Indies 2%
America 11%
Middle East 10%
Asia 19%
Europe 17%

Maximum Contribution: $2,400,000.00

Start Date: March 29, 2018

End Date: April 30, 2021

Duration: 3.1 years

Project Description

This grant is Canada's long-term institutional support for the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF). AUF uses these funds as well as those of other donors to carry out its mandate and four-year programming (2018-2021). AUF's mandate is to support and promote the cooperation of member academic institutions. It promotes and supports the emergence of new skills for development by supporting the quality and diversity of training research and governance models within its member institutions. The AUF also promotes the role of universities in the world and offers a space for knowledge and people using the French language to meet. Canada's support for AUF's new programming includes building the capacity of member institutions promoting better access to quality higher education for learners in the South and supporting teaching vocational training and research in disciplines such as environment economics and management tropical medicine primary education and governance.

Expected Results

The expected results as formulated by the AUF include: (1) strengthened quality in training; (2) structured and further developed research in frameworks at national and international level and increased involvement of member institutions in this process; (3) set up governance structures adapted to new challenges particularly in terms of quality assurance; (4) intensified dialogue between the academic world and business circles; (5) taking better account in the provision of initial training of the socio-economic needs of the local or national environment of member institutions; (6) the development of the culture and practice of entrepreneurship especially among women; (7) the strengthened contribution of member institutions to economic social and environmental development; (8) the strengthened contribution of member institutions to linguistic and cultural development including scientific and technological culture; and (9) the strengthened contribution of member institutions to intercultural development and international openness.

Progress & Results Achieved

Among the results obtained by the AUF up to December 2018: (1) 124 projects were carried out to strengthen the quality of university training research and governance including support for 57 open and distance learning courses and support for 78 international research projects; (2) 60 projects targeted the employability and professional integration of graduates by increasing dialogue with business circles adapting training to local or national socio-economic needs and developing the culture of entrepreneurship; (3) 45 development projects at the global and local levels were carried out through dialogues festivals and competitions; (4) the development and adoption of a strategy to promote gender equality within the AUF; (5) the opening of seven Campuses of the Nouvel Espace Universitaire Francophone (CNEUF) in several regions of the world; and (6) the implementation of an ambitious programme to strengthen primary and secondary education systems in 26 emerging and developing Francophone countries.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
AUF - Agence universitaire de laFrancophonie

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
IFM International Security

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Education policy and administrative management 24%
Teacher training 5%
Educational research 7%
Vocational training 48%
Higher education 5%
Environmental education/training 4%
Multisector education/training 7%

Aid Type: Core support to NGOs other private bodies PPPs and research institutes

Collaboration: Bilateral core contributions to NGOs and other private bodies / PPPs

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Institutional Support

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Level 1 Participatory development and good governance
Level 1 Children's issues
Level 2 Youth Issues
Level 1 ICT as a tool for development
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2017-04-01 to 2018-03-31 $2,400,000 CAD
Geographic Information
000";Budget Type:Revised;Start Date:2018-04-01;End Date:2019-03-31;Value Date:2018-03-29;Value:"$600
Project Number: CA-3-D003844001