Halifax Initiative

About this grant

The Halifax Initiative enables a coalition of Canadian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to work together to promote changes in the international financial system and its institutions to achieve environmental sustainability and the elimination of poverty. The project builds support among the public and policymakers in Canada to monitor practices of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and export credit agencies; research and develop alternative policies and practices; encourage public support for alternatives; educate Canadian government officials on needed policy reform; and engage directly with decisionmakers at the international financial institutions.Multiyear funding will enable the project to pursue objectives that include increasing accountability of the World Bank and its directors to national parliaments; raising awareness of the role that the World Bank and IMF have in environmental sustainability and the elimination of poverty; building the capacity of NGOs working on international finance and trade reform to share information and strategies; identifying new approaches to hold agencies accountable; strengthening Canadian researchers working on the international financial system and reform; and advocating for reform of the international financial system and its institutions.Recent accomplishments included creating an online network for Canadians interested in international financial institutions issues and events; providing opportunities for affected peoples in developing countries to engage with the Canadian public and policymakers; and educating Canadian decisionmakers.