Blog

How Maziwa’s Wema Breast Pump Is Changing Work, Money, and Life for Women in Kenya

Innovations can play a pivotal role in transforming the lives of women around the globe. One such innovation making waves in Kenya is the Wema breast pump by Maziwa. This affordable device not only empowers women economically but also brings about significant social changes in the lives of mothers.  According to Maziwa, 60% of women […]


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The Indigenous Innovation Initiative welcomes two experienced leaders to the team

Grand Challenges Canada is excited to welcome two experienced leaders to lead the Indigenous Innovation Initiative (I3) team. Julie Williams was appointed as the Director of I3 and Kathryn Manners joined as the Deputy Director. Julie Williams, Director of the Indigenous Innovation Initiative Julie is Ojibway from Rama/Mnjikaning First Nation and is a member of […]


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Grand Challenges Canada receives USD $10M grant from the LEGO Foundation for Inclusive Learning in Crisis Settings

The LEGO Foundation announced a USD $10M grant to Grand Challenges Canada today to support Inclusive Learning in Crisis Settings, a new humanitarian grand challenge focused on supporting locally-led innovations for early childhood development and education in emergency settings.


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Max Foundation Healthy Village in Bangladesh

Max Foundation wins Grand Challenges Canada’s Rotman Innovation of the Year Award

Max Foundation has been awarded the CAD $10,000 Rotman Innovation of the Year Award for their work to ensure healthy growth for children in Bangladesh.


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Girl wades through flood waters in India. Photo: iStock.

Grand Challenges Canada and South African Medical Research Council nominate 40+ new innovations for funding awards in climate change and health

At COP28 in Dubai, Grand Challenges Canada CEO Dr. Karlee Silver announced that 40+ new innovations have been nominated for funding awards for their work on the impact of climate change and health. Selected innovations will receive up to $150,000 CAD that address health effects of climate change in low-and middle-income countries, with a focus on communicable diseases, nutrition security, mental health, heat stress and more.


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Global Perspectives on Working with LGBTQIA+ Communities: Addressing Youth Mental Health

Mental health challenges contribute to over 10% of the global disease burden, three-quarters of which occurs in low- and middle-income countries. LGBTQIA+ youth are more than twice as likely to face mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety and substance abuse, than their heterosexual counterparts. Recently, four GCC-funded innovators from the Global Mental Health portfolio spoke […]


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Grand Challenges Canada Welcomes Two Accomplished Global Health Leaders

— Mercy Mwangangi joins GCC’s board and Dr. Joseo Rono joins the Investment Committee — September 25, 2023 (Toronto, Canada) – Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of two distinguished global health leaders, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi and Dr. Josea Rono. They both bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the […]


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Parting Words: A Q&A with Grand Challenges Canada co-CEO Jocelyn Mackie 

For the past 11+ years, Jocelyn Mackie has put her considerable talents to work at Grand Challenges Canada. For the past five years, she has served as co-CEO with Dr. Karlee Silver, drawing on her business acumen, legal training, and commitment to global health in service of funding bold innovations with big impact in more […]


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Bidding Farewell to GCC’s Summer Fellows – Reflections and Advice from the 2023 Cohort!

As summer comes to an end, Grand Challenges Canada is bidding a bittersweet farewell to the latest cohort of Fellows who brought so much fresh perspective and experience to each of their teams. A group of knowledgeable, passionate and innovative young people, they made invaluable contributions to GCC’s mission, and never ceased to amaze us […]


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The Health Finance Coalition welcomes an ecosystem catalyst grant of $500,000 CAD from Grand Challenges Canada

We are delighted to announce that the Health Finance Coalition (HFC) has received an ecosystem catalyst grant of CAD $500,000 from Grand Challenges Canada. This critical investment will help strengthen health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. While Africa is home to 16 percent of the global population and 23 percent of the global burden of disease, […]


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