Powering entrepreneurs
to end poverty.
iDE Canada creates income and livelihood opportunities in developing countries around the world. We invest in local entrepreneurship, building businesses with a focus on agriculture and sanitation. With access to the right products, services and advice, farmers can transform their small farms into small businesses. With access to research and development, sanitation business owners can produce the life-saving products their customers want.
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Our Initiatives
Innovate for Impact
iDE’s founder, Paul Polak, practiced and preached the importance of starting with people. With your support, local iDE teams use Human Centered Design to engage deeply with the people and communities we serve.
Innovation Fund Projects
Cambodia
| The Paul Polak Innovation Fund
Transform Smallholder Farming
Small-scale farmers grow 80% of the food available in rural areas but often live in poverty. Your support helps farmers increase their incomes by ensuring they have access to markets, high-quality seed and affordable irrigation.
Agricultural Projects
ETHIOPIA
| Agriculture resilience and dignity
NEPAL
| Dealing with new pests
Stop Diarrhea
Diarrhea kills over half a million under-5 children every year – more than malaria, tuberculosis and HIV combined. Diarrhea deprives many millions of children of the nutrients they need to reach their full physical and mental potential.
Sanitation Projects
GHANA
| Selling toilets to poor household
See More Projects
Recent News
A simple potato, a powerful transformation
Fries, mashed, baked or scalloped — however you eat your potatoes, they’re a diet staple. And, thanks to your support, the community of Woliso, Ethiopia are enjoying them too! Worknesh Fufa (left) and Woyneshet Kassa (right) are part of a group who are earning income by producing seed potatoes. These potatoes are then sold to…
She officially owns her farmland!
In rural Zambia, many women work on farms, but are not allowed to own the land. This is due to long-standing social and cultural norms. This lack of ownership limits women’s ability to make decisions that can increase productivity and income, and make their farms more resilient to climate challenges. It also puts them at…
David Froese, a legacy of making life better
David Froese, born in Winkler, Manitoba in 1926, lived a long and full life of 96 years. He was passionate about work, travel, family & friends — and committed to doing what he could to make life better. This included being a dedicated donor to iDE Canada. As an entrepreneur himself, David was drawn to…
Collecting and sharing local knowledge in Mozambique
People who have lived and worked on the land for generations have a wealth of knowledge about the benefits of local plants. This is true in Canada, as well as in Mozambique, where an iDE-led team is creating a library of natural pesticides. This Polak Fund award winning team is working with communities around Mozambique…
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Our Partners
iDE Canada creates income and livelihood opportunities in developing countries around the world. We invest in local entrepreneurship, building businesses with a focus on agriculture and sanitation.
We would like to thank the Government of Canada and Manitoba Council for International Cooperation for their generous financial support.
From donkey carts and treadle pumps to solar pumps and smartphone applications, iDE has made it their mission to power a revolution for farmers in some of the world’s most challenging markets. I have seen the incredible impact of new solutions designed with and for small farmers.
Len Penner, iDE Canada Board Chair (2020)
“This change inspired me to share the knowledge and experience I got with other farmers in my community and I will help them to start cultivating improved varieties and vegetables with irrigation during the dry season.”
Beletu Bacha Kimbibit, Ethiopia
Simon Tuuteug’s joy is contagious. His profits this past year have soared and his small farm in Ghana is supporting his family in ways it never has before. He says, “I am very happy to work with iDE – they showed me new ways to farm and now I am seeing the good results.”
Simon Tuuteug, Ghanaian farmer (2015)
“My grandfather started donating to iDE in the early 80s when the organization was just finding its way. We continue to support the organizations that were important to him and we understand why he is so passionate about iDE and the difference it makes.”
Marlon Kuhl, third generation iDE supporter (2018)
Getting involved with iDE in the Sama Sama program in Ghana has been both exciting and satisfying for us. It really feels good to make a difference in the world by helping bring positive changes to families in rural Ghana!
