For small and medium organizations (SMOs) navigating their first Global Affairs Canada (GAC) grant can present a steep learning curve. Hope Story, a first-time GAC funding recipient through the Development Impact Window (DIW), found understanding the requirements, processes, and expectations of their grant to be quite daunting at the outset. However, through collaboration and knowledge sharing facilitated by Spur Change, they not only built their internal capacity and confidence but also strengthened partnerships, and were able to start their project implementation on the right foot.
Before engaging with Spur Change, Hope Story was unfamiliar with the intricacies of managing a GAC-funded project. “Everything was new and overwhelming,” Michaëlle Mugisha, International Program Director at Hope Story, shared. “We were initially concerned about ensuring we met all requirements and performed well.” Equipping organizations, like Hope Story, with the know-how and support network to successfully implement their DIW projects, was precisely Spur Change’s goal through offering tailored capacity-building opportunities and community-building sessions for the third cohort of the DIW.
Hope Story became an active participant in Spur Change’s activities, beginning with the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) training in May 2024, where they were introduced to the rest of the cohort. Michaëlle notes that “participating in the [PIP] training provided an invaluable opportunity to learn, collaborate with other organizations, and gain clarity on GAC expectations. Additionally, real-time changes and updates became more accessible to us because we were engaged in the training.”
This was exemplified when, during the training, Hope Story realized they would need to redo their PIP. Faced with new information and requirements, Michaëlle was thankful to Spur Change staff who helped explore possibilities to keep Hope Story’s project on track. On the last day of the training in Ottawa, Spur Change invited GAC representatives and Hope Story was able to advocate for an extension for their PIP, supported by the rest of the cohort. Ultimately, with the additional time from the extension and tailored support on their logic model and PMF from GAC, Hope Story successfully submitted and gained approval for their PIP, ensuring a strong foundation for their project. “This outcome was only possible because of Spur Change’s training and support, as well as the solidarity within our cohort,” Michaëlle reflected. The training opportunity provided a critical space for knowledge exchange and peer support in navigating PIP requirements alongside tight timelines and understanding the finer intricacies of managing a GAC grant.
Another key moment was when Hope Story’s local partner had the opportunity to attend an online MEL training in March 2025. “[Our local partner’s participation in the training] was invaluable, not only for their learning but also for other SMOs in our cohort, as having an African counterpart brought a unique and insightful perspective. It also helped our local partner better grasp the material and the Canadian funding context.” Michaëlle explained. This highlights the organizational impact of the training but also the value of engaging international partners in peer-learning forums such as the one established with the DIW cohort—something that Spur Change will look to promote further in future opportunities for the cohort.
In summary, the impact of building a support network with the DIW cohort centered around knowledge-sharing has been profound, as Michaëlle notes: “Through knowledge sharing in Community of Learning meetings, guidance from trainers, and exposure to best practices, we have gained immense insights and opportunities. The support network built through Spur Change has been invaluable, and I am truly grateful for the connections made with fellow participants.”
Through Spur Change-led activities, Hope Story transitioned from uncertainty and apprehension to confidence and success in managing their GAC grant. Importantly, the organization became part of a broader network of SMOs eager to continue engaging in knowledge sharing to further strengthen their projects:
“Whether it’s leveraging our respective expertise for funding opportunities or using insights from our projects to address larger challenges, there is great potential for impactful partnerships. These are just some of the ideas we have already discussed within the cohort, and I am confident that as we engage further, even more opportunities will emerge. This network has truly empowered us and connected us with organizations we may not have otherwise encountered in our usual circles.” - Michaëlle Mugisha
