Pitch AgriHack is a digital agriculture competition focused on accelerating entrepreneurial growth in the agriculture sector in Africa. The competition invites African businesses to pitch their approach to driving technological innovation in the agriculture sector. The competition provides cash prizes totaling US$45 thousand. A fourth invite-only category will award up to US$1.5 million in grants to scalable ventures that are already generating measurable impact for Africa’s smallholder farmers. Applications close on 03 July 2023. Pitch AgriHack
Africa
Horizon2020 — Venture Showcase Africa
The African European Digital Innovation Bridge (AEDIB) program is an EU/Horizon2020-funded initiative, aiming to accelerate the growth of African startups with disruptive solutions in Climate Smart Agriculture, Smart Cities, Digital Trade or Clean Tech. Companies get visibility with investors throughout the selection and interview process. Finalists receive mentorship and technical advice directly from the angel investors. Eligibility extends to for-profit companies with a product or service available on the market. At least one of the founders needs to have an African nationality from Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, or Uganda. The application period closes 17 May 2023. Link to Venture Showcase
U.S. Embassy Nairobi — Small Grants Program
The Ambassador’s Self-Help Fund (SSHF) provides small grants to registered self-help groups, youth groups, community based organizations, and specific types of educational institutions and medical facilities in Kenya. The Fund supports projects that assist special populations; actively protect, preserve, or restore the environment; support community water supply; or create innovative or unique income-generating activity within a community. Funding will range from US$1,000 to US$10 thousand; however, the average grant awarded is US$3,000 to US$7,000. The Embassy encourages applications from Kenya-based organizations, institutions, and individuals. They may partner with U.S.-based entities, but the grant recipient must be based in Kenya. The deadline for applications is 31 December 2023. Link
Village Capital — Ecosystem Restoration
Village Capital supports 10-12 impact-driven startups building locally viable ecosystem restoration solutions in Africa. The program addresses entrepreneurs championing forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, wetland restoration and water conservation, sustainable agriculture and climate tech solutions. Participants will receive mentorship and access to an investment analyst. Eligibility extends to (for-profit) startups building locally viable ecosystem restoration solutions. The startup has to have legal incorporation and operations in at least one Sub-Saharan African country. Applications close 14 May 2023. Know more
European Commission — Regeneration of Natural Resources and Ecosystems
The European Commission (EC) aims to contribute to sustainable and inclusive transformation of food systems in Malawi. EC seeks projects that focus on better preservation, restoration and regeneration of the natural resource base and its diverse ecosystems. Applicants can request between €750 thousand and 1 million for project implementation. Eligibility extends to district councils in Malawi. The deadline for the submission of concept notes is 14 July 2023. Find details here
Cultural Survival — Indigenous Youth Fellowships
The Indigenous Youth Fellowship Project supports young Indigenous leaders between the ages of 17-28. Fellows work to represent the voices of their communities and bring awareness of local issues in the transition to renewable energy to global conversation. Grants range from US$2,500 to US$6,000. Eligible countries and regions are Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Panama, Venezuela, United States, Canada, Australia, DRC, Uganda, Indonesia, Sweden, Finland, Greenland, and Norway. The deadline to apply is 28 April 2023. Indigenous Youth Fellowship
U.S. Mission to Angola — Self-Help Program
The special self-help program of the U.S. Embassy to Angola supports small, sustainable community-based initiatives that have an immediate and strong impact on the local community. The Embassy expects to support different types of projects: from development projects such as agricultural and aquacultural cooperatives to women’s empowerment and the environment. Grants typically range from US$2.5 thousand to US$10 thousand per project. All applicants must include a significant community contribution. The Embassy welcomes applications from Angola-based nonprofit organizations, community based organizations, and citizens. The closing date for applications is 27 June 2023. Self-Help Program
Women in Africa — Support for African Women Entrepreneurs
The JAMII Femmes initiative aims to increase the impact of African women entrepreneurs on the African economy and support the creation of innovative solutions for sustainable development. The program consists of a 4-month digital training phase, access to grants, an accelerator program and a special prize of US$10 thousand. JAMII Femmes is open to female entrepreneurs from Nigeria, Kenya and Ivory Coast. The application deadline is 30 June 2023. JAMII Femmes
European Development Fund — Energy Transition in Eswatini
The European Development Fund seeks to boost sustainable and inclusive development of the Eswatini key value chains via renewable energy and energy efficiency investments. The priorities of this call for proposals are preliminary studies to assess the potential of renewable energy, and outlining business cases of established sites. The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is €820 thousand. The deadline for submission of full application is 10 July 2023. Know more
European Commission — Natural Resource Management Malawi
The European Commission (EC) seeks to contribute to sustainable and inclusive transformation of food systems in Malawi. The EC seeks projects that lead to better preservation, restoration and regeneration of the natural resource base and its diverse ecosystems. Financial contributions of up to €1 million are available. Eligibility extends to district councils established in Malawi. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 14 July 2023. Link