Civil Society, Civic Space & Democracy Policy Brief & Highlights

Profiling the Canadian International Cooperation Sector: Analyzing Trends From 2015 to 2023

Prepared for Cooperation Canada by Brian Tomlinson — June 2026

This document provides a high-level overview of key trends, findings and insights from the
study Mapping the Composition of Canada’s International Cooperation Sector. It is intended
as an accessible entry point for readers seeking a snapshot of the sector’s size, composition,
funding patterns, thematic priorities, geographic footprint and emerging trends.

The findings presented here are drawn from a more comprehensive technical report, which
contains detailed methodology, analytical frameworks, data limitations and in-depth analysis
for each topic area. Throughout this summary, references are provided to relevant sections of
the full report for readers wishing to explore specific findings in greater detail.

Together with the Atlas platform, this summary aims to support learning, reflection and
evidence-informed discussion about Canada’s international cooperation sector. Readers are
encouraged to consult the full report for additional context, methodological detail and a more
comprehensive examination of the findings.