The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) invites nominations for the 2026 Champions of the Earth award, which represents the UN’s highest environmental honor. The 2026 edition specifically focuses on leaders, organizations, and government entities worldwide that are driving efforts to protect and restore ocean health, including work in pollution prevention, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable blue economies. Candidates may be nominated in four categories: Policy Leadership, Inspiration and Action, Entrepreneurial Vision, and Science and Innovation. While the award provides global recognition and a platform to scale environmental solutions rather than a direct cash grant, it serves as a transformative career and organizational milestone. The deadline for nominations is 15 April 2026. UN Champions of the Earth
Day: March 22, 2026
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification — Media Reporting Fellowship
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) invite journalists to apply for a fellowship to cover the COP17 conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The program is open to professional staff or freelance journalists who work with recognized media outlets and are based in countries affected by desertification, land degradation, or drought. Six selected fellows will receive fully funded support, including return economy-class airfare to Mongolia, accommodation, and media accreditation to the conference. Participants will attend pre-conference virtual briefings, engage in a field visit with local communities, and are expected to produce at least three independent stories related to land restoration and drought resilience. The application deadline is 15 April 2026. COP17 Reporting Fellowship
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Guyana and Suriname
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) supports small-scale, high-impact projects in Guyana and Suriname that align with Canada’s thematic priorities of inclusive governance and growth that works for everyone. The program is open to local non-governmental organizations, community groups, academic institutions, and municipal or national government agencies working on local development. While the maximum funding for a single project is CAN$100 thousand, the average contribution typically ranges from CAN$30 thousand to CAN$60 thousand. Projects may span one year or two years, depending on the complexity of the activities. The deadline for submitting applications via email is 15 April 2026. CFLI Guyana and Suriname
Earth Journalism Network — Ocean Conference Fellowship
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites applications from journalists to attend the 2026 Our Ocean Conference. The fellowship program supports professional journalists from low- and middle-income countries, with a particular focus on those from the Global South, to report on ocean conservation and marine policy. Selected fellows receive full sponsorship to attend the conference, including airfare, accommodation, meals, and travel insurance. In addition to covering the event, participants engage in preparatory workshops and receive mentorship from experienced environmental editors to strengthen their reporting on topics such as sustainable fisheries, marine protected areas, and climate resilience. The application deadline is 15 April 2026. Ocean Conference Fellowships
Halcyon — Caribbean Climate Pre-Accelerator
Halcyon offers a six-month hybrid program to support early-stage climate founders in the Caribbean. The initiative is open to for-profit startups and social enterprises based in the region that are developing scalable solutions for climate adaptation and resilience. Selected ventures receive a US$6 thousand equity-free stipend, US$10 thousand in Amazon Web Services credits, and access to expert workshops and professional advisors. The deadline to submit the initial eligibility form is 17 April 2026. Caribbean Climate Pre-Accelerator
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Cambodia
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) provides support for small-scale, high-impact projects in Cambodia that align with Canada’s thematic priorities, including inclusive governance, gender equality, and peace and security. Eligible recipients include local non-governmental organizations, community groups, and academic institutions, as well as international or municipal agencies working on local development. While the maximum funding available for a single project is CAN$100 thousand, the average contribution typically ranges between CAN$15 thousand and CAN$30 thousand. The application deadline for the current cycle is 21 April 2026. CFLI Cambodia
Katapult — Africa Accelerator
Katapult manages an accelerator program designed to support impact-driven startups in Africa focusing on agritech, foodtech, and climate tech. The program is open to African startups that demonstrate high scalability and positive environmental or social impact in sectors such as clean energy, circular economy, and sustainable agriculture. Katapult invests between US$150 thousand and US$500 thousand in each participating company in exchange for equity, while charging a program fee to cover the costs of the three-month intensive training. Selected founders receive hands-on mentorship, investor readiness training, and the opportunity to pitch to global impact investors during a dedicated investor day. Applications are accepted until 25 April 2026. Africa Accelerator
United Nations Development Program — Incubation Program for AgriTech Startups
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) invites applications for its Pan-African Incubation Network. The program is open to startups based in Africa or those developing technology-driven solutions for African agricultural markets, provided they have a committed team and at least a working prototype or minimum viable product. While the announcement does not specify a direct cash grant amount, participants receive structured incubation support, mentorship, and access to a continental network of investors and ecosystem partners to improve investment readiness. The program operates through quarterly cohorts, and the deadline for the current application cycle is 27 April 2026. Details here
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in the ASEAN region
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) supports small-scale, high-impact projects in the ASEAN region. The call is open to local non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and regional or international agencies working with local partners. To be eligible, projects must impact or include participants from at least three ASEAN countries. While the maximum allocation for a single project is CAN$100 thousand, the average contribution ranges between CAN$20 thousand and CAN$40 thousand. The deadline for submitting applications via email is 30 April 2026. CFLI ASEAN
Global Development Network — Social Sciences in Images
The Global Development Network (GDN) invites young social science researchers from Francophone Africa to participate in the “Convergences: Social Sciences in Images” competition. This initiative encourages researchers to translate their scientific findings into visual formats such as infographics, drawings, illustrations, mind maps, or comic strips. Winners will receive an invitation to the 2026 GDN Regional Conference, participate in creative and research capacity-building workshops, and have their work featured in an international traveling exhibition. The program aims to promote open science and the intersection of research and creation. The deadline for submitting entries is 30 April 2026. Know more