Shifting Power Shifting power focuses on reimagining how international cooperation is designed, delivered and funded by centring equity, accountability and locally-led approaches. / What We Do / Shifting Power The power shift agenda challenges traditional models of aid delivery and calls for a fundamental transformation in how the sector operates. At its core, shifting power involves a complete rethinking of partnerships, funding and decision-making to address longstanding inequities and rebalance power. Rooted in decolonial and feminist thought, this work supports organizations to adapt, collaborate and lead in a rapidly evolving international cooperation landscape. It emphasizes more just, inclusive and accountable approaches that centre the leadership and priorities of those most affected by global challenges. Cooperation Canada supports a sector-wide shift towards equity, accountability and locally led responses by fostering spaces, tools and capacities for organizations to rethink how they work. Through collaboration with Canadian organizations and their partners across the globe, we are helping build a sector that delivers results with integrity, justice and compassion. With the power shift agenda as our guiding framework, we work across interconnected focus areas—including locally-led development, anti-racism, PSEAH, intersectional feminism, and Indigenous rights and reconciliation—to advance more collaborative, just and effective international cooperation. What We Work On Shifting power is essential to advancing more equitable and effective international cooperation. Our work supports the sector to rethink systems, strengthen practices and build the knowledge and connections needed to drive meaningful change. Strengthening the capacity of professionals, organizations and the broader Canadian international cooperation sector Curating tools, technical resources and sector standards Building and maintaining data infrastructure for informed decision-making Convening actors for collaborative learning, collective action and the advancement of more equitable partnerships Why It’s Important Shifting power is critical to building a more just, accountable and effective international cooperation sector. By addressing structural inequities and rethinking how power operates, the sector can better respond to complex global challenges and support sustainable, locally driven change. Rebalancing power and decision-making leads to more equitable, inclusive and locally grounded approaches across the sector Rethinking partnerships, funding and systems strengthens accountability and supports more sustainable and ethical outcomes Aligning technical practices with equity and justice improves the quality, relevance and effectiveness of international cooperation Strengthening data, learning and collaboration enables more informed decision-making and collective action Fostering innovation supports the sector to adapt to disruption and respond to evolving global challenges Shifting Power Anti-racism Cooperation Canada advances anti-racist action by supporting organizations to address systemic barriers and adopt more equitable ways of working. Indigenous Rights & Reconciliation Explore how Cooperation Canada helps organizations embed reconciliation into practice grounded in Indigenous self-determination and accountability. Intersectional Feminism Cooperation Canada supports organizations to apply intersectional feminist approaches reflecting diverse realities across international cooperation. Locally-led Development Explore how Cooperation Canada supports the sector to shift power, resources and decision-making to local actors in international cooperation. PSEAH Cooperation Canada supports organizations to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment through shared standards, learning and accountability. News & Updates Holding the Line on Gender Equality: Evidence to Inform the Future of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) Cooperation Canada Intersectional Feminism 1 min read March 5, 2026 BHM 2026 – Interview with Ashley Rerrie Cooperation Canada Anti-racism 3 mins read February 24, 2026 Cooperation Canada’s AEDIJ Strategy and Action Plan – Second Annual Progress Report Cooperation Canada Anti-racism 1 min read February 11, 2026 BHM 2026 – Interview with Radia Mbengue Cooperation Canada Anti-racism 5 mins read February 11, 2026 BHM 2026 – Interview with Alliancé Babunga Daniels Cooperation Canada Anti-racism 4 mins read February 11, 2026 BHM 2026 – Interview with Manuella Mutshail Kalong Cooperation Canada Anti-racism 3 mins read February 2, 2026 Related Resources Access the latest tools, training materials and publications on anti-racism, localization, PSEAH and Indigenous reconciliation in international cooperation. Guidelines for Investigations: A Guide for Humanitarian Organisations on Receiving and Investigating Allegations of Abuse, Exploitation, Fraud or Corruption By Their Own Staff – CHS Alliance Best Practice Guide Inter-Agency Community-Based Complaints Mechanisms – IASC UNICEF Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment – Unicef Summary of IASC Good Practices: Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Aid Workers – IASC Interim Harmonized Implementation Tool: United Nations Implementing Partner PSEA Capacity Assessment – IASC United Nations Protocol on Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Involving Implementing Partners – UN
Anti-racism Cooperation Canada advances anti-racist action by supporting organizations to address systemic barriers and adopt more equitable ways of working.
Indigenous Rights & Reconciliation Explore how Cooperation Canada helps organizations embed reconciliation into practice grounded in Indigenous self-determination and accountability.
Intersectional Feminism Cooperation Canada supports organizations to apply intersectional feminist approaches reflecting diverse realities across international cooperation.
Locally-led Development Explore how Cooperation Canada supports the sector to shift power, resources and decision-making to local actors in international cooperation.
PSEAH Cooperation Canada supports organizations to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment through shared standards, learning and accountability.
Holding the Line on Gender Equality: Evidence to Inform the Future of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) Cooperation Canada Intersectional Feminism 1 min read March 5, 2026
Cooperation Canada’s AEDIJ Strategy and Action Plan – Second Annual Progress Report Cooperation Canada Anti-racism 1 min read February 11, 2026
BHM 2026 – Interview with Alliancé Babunga Daniels Cooperation Canada Anti-racism 4 mins read February 11, 2026
BHM 2026 – Interview with Manuella Mutshail Kalong Cooperation Canada Anti-racism 3 mins read February 2, 2026
Guidelines for Investigations: A Guide for Humanitarian Organisations on Receiving and Investigating Allegations of Abuse, Exploitation, Fraud or Corruption By Their Own Staff – CHS Alliance
UNICEF Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment – Unicef
Summary of IASC Good Practices: Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Aid Workers – IASC
Interim Harmonized Implementation Tool: United Nations Implementing Partner PSEA Capacity Assessment – IASC
United Nations Protocol on Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Involving Implementing Partners – UN