February 29, 2024 Montréal, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
Black Canadians have helped make Canada the country it is today. They have also faced historic barriers which continue to prevent many Black Canadians from reaching their full potential. Since endorsing the United Nations (UN) International Decade for People of African Descent back in 2018, the Government of Canada has made significant investments to supporting Black Canadians and fostering positive change in Black communities.
In acknowledgment of the UN Decade, the Government of Canada established the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI) in 2019. This initiative aims to strengthen vibrant Black communities across Canada and support Black-led solutions to address challenges such as discrimination, bias and anti-Black racism, while also improving organizational capacity, workplaces and community spaces to better serve Black communities.
Today, the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, joined National Funders under the SBCCI to announce the results of the third call for proposals under the Initiative. This call follows a recent investment of $21.5 million. Approximately 430 projects in Black communities across the country are set to benefit from this funding.
One example from a past round of funding is Femmes en Emploi, which is making a significant impact by uplifting and empowering women and girls of all ages from immigrant backgrounds. With the funding it received, Femmes en Emploi was able to broaden the range of services it offers to women, now including crucial psychosocial support. Another example is Racine Croisée Solidarité Sawa, which advocates for multi-ethnic integration through food security, leadership development, and personal autonomy. Racine Croisée used its funding to strengthen its organizational capacity in the areas of governance, financial management, operational and organizational management, and diversification of funding sources.
The funding resulting from this call for proposals will be distributed through the SBCCI National Funders Network, which includes Tropicana Community Services, Africa Centre, Black Business Initiative and Groupe 3737.
These investments build on the Government of Canada's commitment through the endorsement of the UN Decade, which runs from 2015 to 2024. Earlier this month, the Right Honorable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, announced the extension of Canada's efforts under the framework of the Decade until 2028. Since endorsing the UN Decade in 2018, transformative investments totaling $860 million have been committed to Black-focused initiatives - from racial justice to entrepreneurship to economic dignity.
