The Global Program Food Security seeks innovative initiatives to contribute to food systems’ improvements and transformative and sustainable impacts on poor people. The SDC invites abstracts of project proposals in four themes related to global food security: (1) Human rights in food systems; (2) Responsible land-based investment practices; (3) Agrobiodiversity for food security and nutrition; and (4) Nutrition in secondary cities. Proposals under theme 3 should focus on improving food security and nutrition of smallholder farmers in three to four countries in Africa and Asia. SDC’s contribution will be a maximum of CHF 2,5 million per year and covering a maximum of 50% – 80% of the total cost of the project for up to 10 years. The deadline for abstracts is 28 August 2020. Find all four calls and eligibility criteria
Ilka Westermeyer
European Commission — Food from the Oceans
The European Commission funds projects that explore new and sustainable aquatic and marine sources for human food with focus in under-used species and/or side streams from: (i) marine and aquatic sources; or (ii) the fisheries industry. Proposals for the cultivation of aquatic and/or marine biomass must include innovative and sustainable production and harvesting systems. The Commission will provide funding of up to a maximum of €16 million to address this specific challenge. The application has to be submitted as joint project proposal from at least three legal entities, each of which must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country. The application deadline is 03 September 2020. Link to details
European Commission — Supporting Fishing Communities in Cambodia
The European Commission (EC) aims to support socio-economic development of Cambodia fishing communities in the coastal regions and promote integrated and sustainable wetland management and rehabilitation of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. Applicants may request up to €4 million to implement projects that meet the criteria of the European Commission for the region. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations established in the European Union or Cambodia. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 15 September 2020. Find details
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation — Partnerships for Global Sustainable Development
The “Swiss Programme for Research on Global lssues for Development” (r4d programme) promotes applied, need-based scientific research in developing countries. Projects that analyse, develop and test innovative solutions to sustainable development challenges in developing countries in any thematic area or field of research are eligible. The program will support consortia that consist of at least a Swiss research institution, a research partner in the Global South/East and a non-research implementation partner (government, civil society, private sector). SDC’s contribution will be CHF 100 thousand to be used over a period of max. 12 months. The deadline for submitting pre-proposals is 12 October 2020. Link
EIT Food — Empowering Women in Agrifood
The Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) Program offers training, mentoring, business coaching and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector. Up to 50 women entrepreneurs will participate in a 6-months educational program tailored to female-specific challenges regarding entrepreneurship. Furthermore, EWA will provide financial assistance of up to €10 thousand in the form of prizes. The program will be implemented it in Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Turkey. Applications open until 15 June 2020. Hurry
Climate Tracker — Sustainable Food Media Fellowship
Climate Tracker launches the Sustainable Food Media Fellowship to fund journalists from Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia to work on investigative reports about the production of food and access to sustainable diets in their home country. Stories may focus on food security in the context of COVID-19, the impacts of climate change on agriculture, or the environmental footprint of agriculture practices. Participants receive a 4-week online course followed by an 8-week fellowship to develop and publish their stories. Eligibility extends to African journalists between the ages of 18 to 35. The application deadline is 26 June 2020. Find more information
International Development Research Centre — Sustainable Food Systems
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) provides funding to innovative research projects that contribute to healthier and more sustainable food systems. Grants range from CA$300 thousand to CA$1 million per project. The call is open to research organizations, think tanks, and other organizations based in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, as well as other low and middle-income countries, as long as the research focuses on food security in the five priority regions. The application deadline is 26 June 2020. Details here
Copernicus Masters — Blue Economy Challenge
Copernicus Masters is an international innovation competition that honors the best solutions using earth observation data and applications to solve global challenges. The Space data for “Blue Economy” Challenge, sponsored by the European Commission, seeks solutions that have the potential to stimulate new markets related to the Blue Economy and to contribute to environmental protection of marine resources. The winner of the Blue Economy challenge receives €10 thousand. All participants have the chance to win an additional €10 thousand if chosen as the overall Copernicus winner. The competition is open to participants worldwide. Submissions are open until 30 June 2020. Find the Blue Economy Challenge
Copernicus Masters — Multi-Data Challenge
Copernicus Masters is an international innovation competition that honors the best solutions using earth observation data and applications to solve global challenges. The Multi-Data Challenge, sponsored by Airbus Defense and Space and sobloo, seeks new services and/or applications that provide insight and have impact on areas like Natural Resources Consumption, Agriculture, Forestry, Maritime, Defense & Security and Smart Cities. The winner receives business development support, an Airbus Satellite data voucher for the OneAtlas Platform, and the opportunity to present their solution to potential business partners. All participants have the chance to win an additional €10 thousand if chosen as the overall Copernicus winner. The competition is open to participants worldwide. Submissions are open until 30 June 2020. Find the Multi-Data Challenge
U.S. Department of Agriculture — Regional Food Safety in Africa
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks to support the efforts of economic communities in West African in establishing a food safety network. Through this call, USDA seeks partners with whom to collaborate in the implementation of concrete capacity building projects and programs. The initial award is US$500 thousand, but additional funding of up to US$500 thousand may be added at a later stage. Eligibility is limited to U.S. State Cooperative Institutions or other colleges and universities in the United States. The closing date for applications is 01 July 2020. Details here