
CIDA was established in 1968 as the federal agency
responsible for delivering most of Canada's Official
Development Assistance (ODA), or foreign aid.
CIDA supports sustainable projects in developing countries in order to reduce poverty and create a equitable and prosperous world.
CIDA's aid programs are an important link between Canada and more than 100 developing countries and many multinational institutions, such as the United Nations. The Agency supports programs in cooperation with countries in Eastern and Central Europe
Working with partners in the private and public sectors in Canada and in developing countries, and with international organizations and agencies, CIDA supports foreign aid projects in more than 100 of the poorest countries of the world. The objective: to work with developing countries and countries in transition to develop the tools to eventually meet their own needs.
Canada's foreign Policy is summarized in the booklet "Canada in the World". Among the highlights, the mandate of Canada's foreign aid is clearly identified as that of supporting sustainable development to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world.
CIDA focuses on six priority areas: