Enhancing National Sector Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) Capacity Project

ABOUT THE PROJECT 

Project Goal 

Addressing systemic inequities and advancing equity through an intersectional lens is central to facilitating the meaningful settlement and integration of newcomers in Canada. 

The Enhancing National Sector Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) Capacity project assembled a team from seven Umbrella organizations across the country. These organizations partnered closely with direct Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) to test a variety of approaches aimed at enhancing the capacity of these project partners to mainstream GBA Plus policies, practices, and procedures within their organizations. They then developed guidance on strengthening the capacity of the national immigrant and refugee serving sector to implement GBA Plus, based on this experience.

Project Partners 

This project is led by the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) in partnership with Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA), Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies (SAISIA), Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO), Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (ARAISA), and Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA).  

The partner organizations committed to this project are well-placed within the settlement and integration sector in Canada to lead initiatives that contribute to longer-term systemic change. This project will assess the status and capacity of Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) across Canada to meet the specific needs and priorities of diverse newcomer populations.  

Key Components of the Project 

Through the identification of key assets, gaps, and opportunities, the National Team tested and refined a variety of approaches to mainstream GBA Plus across the sector. Activities included: 
  • Developing settlement sector-specific gender equality and GBA Plus mainstreaming research 
  • Piloting and creating bilingual sector guidance on mainstreaming GBA Plus tailored to the settlement and integration sector.  
  • Resource and tool development and knowledge exchange 
This initiative marks a pivotal step in integrating the GBA Plus framework amongst the Umbrella organizations and within organizations across the Canadian immigrant and refugee serving sector.

Project Timeline: July 2023-November 2024. 

AMSSA’s Role in the Project 

As part of this project, AMSSA provided strategic support to two Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) SPOs in BC to adapt and implement sector specific tools and resources including an equity-driven data management tool and strategy. This is aligned with the GBA plus project’s overall objective of supporting equity initiatives within the national immigrant and refugee serving sector.    

 

GBA Plus National Resource Guide

Guide national des ressources ACS Plus