Global Affairs Canada is funding a multi-year climate-adaptation initiative in Nicaragua, drawing criticism from observers who see it as a misplaced use of taxpayer money.
The 2024-2027 project, managed under Canada’s international assistance portfolio, aims to “scale up climate and weather information services and climate-smart agriculture approaches” for women farmers in Nicaragua’s Dry Corridor, a drought-prone region of Central America.
According to project documents, activities include designing gender-sensitive climate data systems, improving access to weather forecasts for rural women, developing “climate-smart” farming technologies, and training women leaders in biodiversity and climate advocacy.
The program expects to reach 1,000 rural women directly across 18 farmer organizations, with potential indirect benefits to 30,000 families in 58 municipalities.
Critics note the initiative—costing roughly $3 million—comes as Canadians face rising food and housing costs at home. They argue such foreign-aid programs, while well-intentioned, have little measurable return for Canadian taxpayers.
Supporters counter that the investment promotes gender equality and food security in one of the hemisphere’s most climate-vulnerable areas.
Still, with Ottawa running record deficits, some question why Canada is funding climate-data systems in Nicaragua while domestic farmers struggle.