The program
The Technical Assistance Partnership is a five-year initiative delivered by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and funded by Global Affairs Canada. It aims to strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of countries eligible for Official Development Assistance, and promote sustainable, inclusive, and equitable management of natural resources.
The NRCan Technical Assistance Partnership (NRCan-TAP) draws upon the Department’s policy, technical and scientific expertise to deliver tailored solutions that help partner institutions establish policies and systems that are more just, resilient, and responsive to local and global challenges.
Anchored in Canada’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and informed by the Feminist International Assistance Policy, NRCan-TAP mainstreams gender equality, human rights, environmental stewardship, and climate action throughout its activities.
This program’s collaborative and flexible approach emphasizes sharing knowledge, providing customized training, and developing practical tools that meet the unique needs of each partner country.
Our objectives
NRCan-TAP focuses on two main objectives:
1: Help strengthen our partner countries
We help strengthen the ability of our partner countries to manage their natural resources in a sustainable and inclusive way. By fostering government-to-government collaboration, Natural Resources Canada supports national authorities in creating effective policies and practices.
2: Engage Canadians in global development
We aim to engage Canadians in global development. Through stories and examples, we shine a light on the challenges our partner countries face and highlight the role NRCan’s expertise plays in strengthening their capacities. This approach encourages Canadians to be part of the conversation and inspires a sense of shared responsibility, all while strengthening international connections and fostering a more sustainable, equitable future for everyone.
Our partners
NRCan-TAP thrives on a broad network of collaborative, dynamic partnerships that enable it to deliver meaningful, lasting results.
At the heart of these efforts are the national ministries, public agencies, and local organizations in partner countries. By working closely with them, this program provides technical assistance, targeted training, and strategic guidance.
Supporting these efforts are NRCan experts, drawn from across the Department’s diverse fields of work. By offering hands-on, evidence-based support and best practices, these experts help partner countries develop and refine innovative solutions that address local needs.
Canadian Embassies and High Commissions play a key role, serving as on-the-ground connectors that help build trust, facilitate knowledge exchange, and maintain strong lines of communication. Working in close coordination with Global Affairs Canada, NRCan-TAP ensures that all activities align with broader foreign policy objectives and maximize the positive impact in partner countries.
What we offer
Natural Resources Canada draws on its wealth of scientific, technical, and policy expertise to guide sustainable natural resource development and management. Through the NRCan-TAP, our experts share their knowledge with partner countries, strengthening their institutions and promoting inclusive, gender-responsive solutions aligned with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.
Areas of expertise include:
- Energy production, distribution, and use: Renewable energy, hydrogen, advanced materials research, efficient buildings and housing, and low-carbon solutions for fossil fuel sources.
- Forest management and forest products: Sustainable forestry, climate change adaptation in forest ecosystems, wildfire management, forest industry innovation, addressing pests and diseases, and supporting Indigenous forestry initiatives.
- Earth sciences: Mining and mineral exploration, surveying, mapping, remote sensing, open-access geoscience data, groundwater and marine geoscience research, environmental impact assessments, and collaborative engagement with Indigenous communities.
- Natural hazards: Research on climate change impacts, earthquakes, space weather, volcanoes, marine geological hazards, permafrost thaw, glacier melt, coastal erosion, floods, tsunamis, landslides, and forest fires.
To learn more about NRCan’s expertise, please visit: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/home
Submission process
We accept proposals on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Interested national government organizations from countries eligible for overseas development assistance can follow these steps:
Preliminary consultation: Prospective national partners should contact the local Canadian Embassy or High Commission, which will establish the connection with TAP-NRCan representatives to discuss available capacities and potential technical assistance opportunities.
Proposal submission: Applicants, in collaboration with their local Canadian Embassy or High Commission, provide a detailed project proposal outlining the areas of support required, objectives, methodologies, and timelines. Proposals must also convey how gender equality, environmental sustainability, and human rights considerations are integrated throughout the proposed approach.
Evaluation and selection: Proposals are assessed based on technical feasibility, potential impact, methodological robustness, alignment with the TAP objectives, responsiveness to local needs, and operational capacity within NRCan.
Agreement and implementation: Upon approval, Natural Resources Canada, in collaboration with the requesting national government, formalizes the partnership, clearly defining responsibilities, performance indicators, and reporting requirements to ensure accountability and transparency.
Monitoring, reporting, and continuous improvement: Regular progress updates, impact assessments, and knowledge-sharing sessions promote adaptability, the adoption of best practices, and ongoing learning and improvement.