Objectives and importance of study: We report the evaluative findings from the first stage of a project designed to co-produce strategies which improve the safety of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients in cancer care. Co-leadership is developed via training and supporting consumers, multilingual fieldworkers and researchers to co-facilitate co-design. Our aim was to evaluate the training undertaken with CALD co-facilitators to prepare for co-leadership of the co-design process within the CanEngage project. Study type and methods: A qualitative evaluation was conducted, consisting of semi-structured interviews with co-facilitators. Data were thematically analysed. Results: Analysis of interviews with 12 co-facilitators generated three themes: creating the conditions for co-leadership; developing the space for connections during training; and readiness for co-design. Conclusions: Providing opportunities for informal, social interactions during the training aided relationship-building among co-facilitators. The co-creation of terms of reference for the project encouraged a process of shared ownership and generated a path forward from the training to the upcoming co-design activities. We found that the recruitment process offered an initial forum to discuss the alignment of the motivations and expectations of those interested in becoming involved with the aims of the project and goals of the co-design.