Celebrating the Impact of OCIC Small Seeds Community Engagement Grants: Six Recipients Brought Their Vision to Life
OCIC ‘Small Seeds’ Community Engagement Grants provided six outstanding member organisations up to $5000 each to support their innovative initiatives and drive meaningful change during International Development Week (IDW), International Women’s Day, and other International Days. These initiatives focused on education, gender equality, environmental sustainability, global health, and community empowerment. This initiative was possible through the financial support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada,
Here’s a closer look at some of the ‘Small Seeds’ recipients and what they achieved!
“Together” A story of a Good Neighbours Community Development Project in Bangladesh
OCIC Member: Good Neighbours Canada
Event: International Development Week 2025
On February 4 and 6, 2025, Good Neighbours Canada hosted screenings of Together, a two-part documentary showcasing a case study on community-led development and the transformative impact of the Good Neighbours child support program in Bangladesh. The documentary highlights sustainable development through youth empowerment, livelihood support, and a collaborative community approach.
Screenings took place in person at Centennial College and online at Humber College, followed by an interactive Q&A and reflective discussions with Good Neighbours staff, fostering meaningful conversations with diverse audiences on global equity and social impact. The event educated attendees on global citizenship and community-driven development, inspired action through tangible examples of collective efforts, and built partnerships with academic institutions to amplify reach and influence.
Locally Led Development in Action/ Développement Mené Localement en Action
OCIC Member: World Accord
Event: International Development Week 2025
On February 5, 2025, World Accord hosted an insightful bilingual event with live translation in Ottawa focused on locally led development and how different Small and Medium Organizations (SMOs) integrate this approach into their work. The event featured Professor Maïka Sondarjee, who opened the discussion by unpacking the concept of decolonization in international development—moving beyond the buzzword to explore its practical implications. Following this, Isabelle Hachette (World Accord), Fernande Abanda N, PhD (Inter Pares), and Maria Carmona (Presbyterian World Service & Development) shared their organizations’ approaches to locally led development in a dynamic panel discussion, moderated by Philippe M. Frowd.
The event provided a platform for knowledge sharing, sector-wide learning, and increased awareness about the impactful work being done by SMOs. Attendees, including peers from various organizations and supporters, engaged in meaningful discussions, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in advancing locally driven solutions in international development.
JGIC’s Youth Advisory Council – Ontario Youth in International Conservation Event
OCIC Member: Jane Goodall Institute of Canada
Event: International Development Week 2025
On February 8, the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada (JGIC) and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) hosted a dynamic youth-focused event in Toronto, fostering engagement in conservation and international development. The event featured a panel discussion moderated by JGIC’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) member Divya Dey, with youth conservation leaders from Ontario, Laura Hernandez, Diego Areola Fernandes and Dhanvi Gahlawat sharing insights on overcoming barriers to youth involvement in conservation and development, followed by an interactive workshop on storytelling in conservation.
Participants analyzed a case study on chimpanzee conservation at Tchimpounga Sanctuary, exploring communication strategies from diverse stakeholder perspectives. The event sparked strong engagement, attracting youth from various backgrounds, many of whom expressed interest in further involvement with JGIC initiatives. By creating a space for collaboration, creative expression, and actionable impact, this first-ever youth-led event laid the groundwork for more in-person engagements, empowering youth to drive conservation efforts locally and globally.
HerFuture Interactive Map to Highlight Global Gender Initiatives
OCIC Member: World University Services of Canada (WUSC)
Event: International Women’s Day 2025
On March 8, WUSC unveiled an interactive map on its Her Future campaign website to mark International Women’s Day. The map showcases WUSC’s work in over 15 countries, highlighting programs that promote education, economic opportunities, and empowerment for young people, particularly girls and refugees.
The initiative aims to engage the Canadian public by presenting WUSC’s international projects through diverse content formats, including articles, videos, and photos created by network members. By incorporating firsthand perspectives and multimedia storytelling, the map provides an in-depth look at gender-focused initiatives across Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East.
Beyond celebrating IWD, the map serves as a long-term engagement tool, regularly updated with fresh content to reflect ongoing progress and key learnings. The project reinforces WUSC’s commitment to gender equity and raises awareness about the challenges and successes in international development.
Take Action on World TB Day
OCIC Member: Results Canada
Event: World Tuberculosis Day 2025
On March 24, Results Canada staff and volunteers lit up Canada in red with their passion and energy for the fight to end Tuberculosis. They gathered at 51 monuments across the provinces to remember the millions of lives affected by this deadly disease, supercharge their advocacy efforts, and celebrate new life-saving TB innovations made possible by bold political commitments.
In Toronto, OCIC staff joined the results team for the walk to see the Toronto sign and the CN Tower lit up in red!
