The proposed Centre will function as a virtual network where representatives of developing countries will be able to liaise with the Canadian geoscience and geomatic communities as well as with key international institutions (e.g. United Nations agencies, the Canadian International Development Agency, international financial institutions) to discuss needs and opportunities for institutional strengthening and capacity development.

Initially, the Centre will establish strategic partnerships in developing countries or regions. These partners will act as local or regional branches of the Centre, and together with ESS specialists, they will engage in the following activities:

1. Identify the principal capacity development needs of the developing countries or regions;
2. Receive, evaluate and process requests for capacity development from various sources;
3. Identify and facilitate the recruitment of Canadian expertise to participate in capacity development activities;
4. Develop and manage new initiatives and projects; and
5. Seek financial support from International Financial Institutions.

Organizations that wish to be considered as strategic partners of the Centre should be:

1. Strong and well established institutions;
2. Institutions that operate with the support of international agencies, or that are endorsed by such agencies;
3. Institutions that have regional (multinational) mandates; and
4. Institutions that are committed to promoting geoscience and/or geomatics as tools for development.