What We Do

Nearly half of the world’s population — more than 3.5 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. More than 700 million people live in extreme poverty (less than USD $1.90 a day), the majority of whom are in Africa and Asia.

Aga Khan Foundation Canada tackles the root causes of this poverty through a holistic and interconnected set of programs. These initiatives address people’s most pressing needs and enable them to unlock their full potential, with a particular focus on marginalized groups like women and girls.

Our programs aim to ensure access to high-quality education and health care, ensure food security, improve economic well-being, and develop resilient communities and societies. We bring together human, financial, and technical resources to some of the poorest and most marginalized communities, with an emphasis on women and girls, investing in human potential, expanding opportunity, and improving quality of life.

Ripples of change: Women’s Change Groups in Mozambique

Gender inequality, often rooted in unequal sociocultural norms, is a daily challenge in Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado.  To

Dispatch from the Fellows: Empowering adolescent girls through menstrual cups

Sarah Abbott was placed in Kampala, Uganda, as part of AKFC’s International Youth Fellowship program. Never did I predict that

Local action, global impact

Rasul, a member of AKFC’s Youth Advisory Committee, shares why he is stepping forward to help fight global poverty. When

Moving Forward in a Divisive World: Reflections from the Global Leadership Program

Shezan Muhammedi is an Acting Assistant Director for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. He was a member of the 2024

A room of people in a hall.

Leaders of tomorrow, changemakers of today

“The future of humanity and of our planet lies in our hands. It lies also in the hands of today’s

“You’re not alone”: Youth perspectives on mental health

This article was written by Sameer Somani and Amna Khan, members of AKFC’s Youth Advisory Committee, for Mental Health Week. 

A facilitator addresses a room of young women at the AGENCI centre in Syria.

Education amid crisis

In times of conflict, education is often one of the first things to be disrupted – and girls are most

A group of young people gathered around the table.

Dispatch from the Fellows: My time in Kyrgyzstan taught me to be kinder to my immigrant parents

Mahir Hamid was placed in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, as part of AKFC’s International Youth Fellowship program. Read his Dispatch to

The Mobile Clinic: Bringing care to the doorsteps of communities

In Cabo Delgado, Mozambique’s northernmost province, access to health care is difficult due to a shortage of facilities and workers,