Coady International Institute hosted an Open House, December 2, in celebration of the institute’s 60th anniversary.
The reception included several funding announcements, totaling more than $1 million supporting Coady’s commitment to, “a full and abundant life for all”.
Global Affairs Canada will fund the Supporting Transition, Retention, and Training for Girls (START4GIRLS) program in Zimbabwe. Lead by CARE Canada, and in collaboration with Coady Institute, the $9.4 million program will support girls, adolescent women, and their communities in promoting vocational skills training, with an emphasis on married girls and teenage mothers who have dropped out of school. The funding includes $477,000 for Coady Institute over four years.
Ford Foundation will support Coady’s work with partner-organization, the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India with $125,000 USD. The three-year project will measure how and where economic vulnerability affects women and their ability to participate in formal and informal employment.
A $300,000 contribution from Comart Foundation will strengthen Coady’s work alongside Indigenous peoples and African Nova Scotians – enhancing the organization’s commitment to both local and global communities. The Jeannine Deveau Educational Equity Endowment will match the funds for a total investment of $600,000.
“The success of Coady Institute rests in its belief in the power of ordinary citizens to do extraordinary things.” 
In recognition of both the past and the future, Executive Director Gord Cunningham reiterated the Institute’s commitment to offering focused opportunities for women, youth, and Indigenous peoples, and addressing challenges for “local communities everywhere” – citing the Institute’s history stemming from the Antigonish Movement and StFX Extension Department, and developing partnership with the Centre for Employment Innovation (CEI).
“[Coady Institute] will be a place where community change leaders from around the world convene to collectively learn and share innovative solutions to the big issues of the day such as climate change, rising inequality, and anti-democratic populism to name only a few,” Cunningham says.
“The success of Coady Institute rests in its belief in the power of ordinary citizens to do extraordinary things.”
