The Darwin Plus Local program invites applications for small-scale projects aimed at protecting biodiversity and the natural environment in eligible UK Overseas Territories. Environmental non-governmental organizations, community groups, research institutions, and individuals can apply with practical initiatives that focus on biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and habitat restoration. The program provides up to £50 thousand for projects managed by organizations and up to £20 thousand for projects led by individuals. The application deadline is 25 June 2026. Details here
Africa
GreenCape — Afri GreenPitch Challenge
GreenCape and Westerwelle Startup Haus Mombasa invite entrepreneurs to enter the 2026 FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge. The competition is open to pre-growth, sales-generating green businesses located in Botswana, eSwatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Tanzania. Eligible entries must offer economically viable business solutions in circular economy and waste, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, sustainable mobility, or water and wastewater. Finalists receive mentorship, access to funding networks, and a chance to pitch to investors, with the winner and finalists competing for cash and in-kind prizes valued at approximately US$20 thousand. The deadline for entries is 30 June 2026. Afri GreenPitch Challenge
UK Government — Extra Grants for Biodiversity
The Darwin Initiative invites applications for its Extra grants program to fund large-scale, collaborative projects aimed at protecting biodiversity and reducing poverty in eligible low- to upper-middle-income countries. Non-governmental organisations, research institutions, and private sector businesses can apply with initiatives that demonstrate strong potential to scale up proven environmental interventions. The program provides funding ranging from £1 million to £5 million for a project period lasting between two and five years. The deadline for Phase I applications is 01 July 2026. Grants for Biodiversity
Earth Journalism Network — Media Workshop on Biodiversity Reporting in Kenya
The Earth Journalism Network invites applications for a specialized workshop in Malindi, Kenya, aimed at strengthening conservation and environmental reporting. Print, broadcast, digital, and freelance journalists based in Kenya are eligible to apply, with priority given to women, rural, Indigenous, and early-career media professionals. The program provides a fully funded training experience for about 15 selected participants, covering all costs for travel, accommodation, and meals from 24 to 26 August 2026. The application deadline is 11 July 2026. Media Workshop in Kenya
Sustainability & ESG Africa — Student Innovation Challenge
The Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo invites applications for its Student Innovation Challenge to uncover practical solutions to systemic environmental, social, and governance issues. Eligible applicants must be 30 years of age or younger and currently enrolled at an accredited university or higher learning institution. Submissions must fall under one of four designated themes, including Nature, Biodiversity and Inclusive Economies. While the specific cash prize amounts or grant funding totals are not specified, winners will present their solutions at the main conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. The deadline for applications is 16 July 2026. Student Innovation Challenge
African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum — Pitch n Grow Competition
The African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum invites applications for its Pitch n Grow competition. The program offers early-stage and high-growth women-led African startups the opportunity to present their business models directly to an audience of international investors, venture capitalists, and corporate executives during the annual forum. Eligible applicants must be female founders or business leaders running enterprises based in any African country. The competition focuses on providing market visibility, technical mentoring, and investor match-making; however, specific monetary grant awards are not disclosed. The application deadline is 20 July 2026. Pitch n Grow Competition
Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum — Gender Responsive Research for Optimized Women Fellowship
African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) invites applications for its GROW Fellowship. This two-year, immersive non-residential program strengthens the leadership pipeline of women professionals working in plant breeding, livestock breeding, and related fields across Africa. Eligible applicants must be female citizens of any African country who hold at least a master’s degree in plant or livestock breeding and possess a minimum of five years of experience in crop or livestock improvement research. Eligible candidates must also be affiliated with a university, national agricultural research institution, private company, or other relevant organization. The fellowship provides customized leadership, negotiation, and mentoring training, though specific monetary funding amounts are not disclosed. The deadline for applications is 24 July 2026. Women Fellowship
Institute for Security Studies – Young Changemakers 2026
The Institute for Security Studies invites submissions for its Young Changemakers 2026 essay and video competition, aimed at centering youth perspectives on Africa’s long-term future. The opportunity is open to African citizens between 18 and 30 years old who are currently residing on the continent or in the diaspora. Applicants must submit either an essay of up to two thousand words or a three-minute video addressing key development and governance transitions for Africa over the next two decades. Winners will receive fully funded travel to participate in a high-level dialogue in Pretoria, South Africa, alongside mentorship and publication opportunities. The deadline for submissions is 26 July 2026. Details here
Conservation Action Research Network — Pangolin Conservation Grant
The Conservation Action Research Network invites applications for its Bochco Pangolin Conservation Grant Program to support scientific research that advances the protection of threatened African pangolins. Graduate students and early-career professionals who obtained their degree within the last five years are eligible to apply, provided they are residents of an eligible African nation, including Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa. Projects must focus on field-based conservation research targeting at least one of the four protected African pangolin species: the white-bellied, giant, black-bellied, or ground pangolin. The program provides funding of up to US$10 thousand per project. The deadline for applications is 01 August 2026. Pangolin Conservation Grant
Reckitt — Catalyst Social Impact Program
The Catalyst Social Impact Program supports social enterprises focused on health, hygiene, water, sanitation, and climate resilience. The program provides tailored business development, mentorship, and funding to scale purpose-driven ventures that address systemic inequalities and deliver community-level impact. The program is open to entrepreneurs from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, and the United States. The deadline to apply for the 2026 cohort is 09 August 2026. Social Impact Program