The Spur Change pilot program has had an important impact on small and medium organizations (SMOs) and the international cooperation sector in its six years of programming to date. Here are some highlights, taken from stories of change, interviews, and participant feedback:
- Participant SMOs used the knowledge gained from Spur Change capacity-building opportunities towards effective project delivery and management in Canada and internationally. After participating in Spur Change, many SMOs have been successful in receiving funding from FIT and Global Affairs Canada’s (GAC) Development Impact Window (DIW).
- SMOs funded via GAC’s DIW are collaborating and supporting each other via Spur Change’s Community of Learning.
- SMOs are better equipped to foster youth engagement and global citizenship education through experiences gained via the Youth Champions Program.
- SMOs from coast-to-coast-to-coast are more connected to the Canadian global development community.
- Through Spur Change's online trainings and resources, local partners of SMOs have increased access to capacity-building tools, resources, and workshops.
- SMOs are more visible and their unique contributions to the sector have gained greater recognition and respect.
The program began on February 26, 2019 and is now starting its 7th and final year. In early 2025, the program received a second no-cost extension for 9 months, with activities taking place until December 31, 2025.
