Supporting economic empowerment through capacity building
The Expert Deployment Mechanism for Trade and Development (EDM) is a project designed to maximize the positive development impacts of the trade and investment agreements that developing countries have with Canada.
EDM is designed to contribute to poverty reduction by deploying Canadian and international technical experts to assist developing countries negotiate, implement, adapt to and benefit from their trade and investment agreements with Canada.
EDM works with developing country governments and private sector and civil society organizations helping them to adapt to and take advantage of the opportunities flowing from trade and investment agreements with Canada.
EDM is aligned with the Government of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and Canada’s inclusive approach to trade.
EDM is implemented on behalf of Global Affairs Canada by Cowater International in consortium with the Institute of Public Administration of Canada.
EDM builds capacity across the following areas:
- Enhancing the ability of partner country MDAs to engage in exploratory discussions and negotiate sustainable and inclusive trade and investment agreements
- Enhancing the ability of CSOs, particularly those focused on women’s empowerment, labour standards, indigenous rights, or environmental causes, to engage in trade and investment strategies or agreements.
- Enhancing the ability of partner country MDAs to strengthen, develop, and execute legislation, regulations and policies supporting the implementation of sustainable and inclusive trade and investment agreements with Canada.
- Increasing the capacity of partner country MDAs to expand access to export-oriented economic opportunities for SMEs, particularly those led by women, indigenous or other under-represented groups.
- Increasing the capacity of partner country MDAs to expand access to export-oriented economic opportunities for SMEs, particularly those led by women, indigenous or other under-represented groups.
- Improving capabilities among targeted CSOs focused on women, labour standards, environment or Indigenous peoples to support their stakeholders in benefitting from trade and investment agreements with Canada.
Technical Assistance
Technical assistance can include but is not limited to advisory support, training, course development, study tours, policy research, stakeholder engagement (workshop and consultation), and institutional assessments.
Government entities, private sector groups (e.g. trade or industry associations), or civil society organizations based in countries that are eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA) and that have a trade and investment relationship with Canada may be eligible to apply.