The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is a program of the U.S. government to support bright young leaders ages 18-35 in the ASEAN countries. YSEALI Seeds for the Future is a small grants competition that provides funding of up to $15 thousand for promising young leaders to carry out projects that improve their communities. The four core themes are (1) Civic Engagement, (2) Education, (3) Economic Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship, and (4) Environmental Issues. The application deadline is 16 November 2023. YSEALI Seeds For the Future
agriculture
Wikimedia — Research Fund
The Wikimedia Research Fund provides support to individuals, groups, and organizations who have limited access to research funding and are proposing work that has a positive impact on their local communities. Requests may range from US$2 thousand to a maximum of US$50 thousand. The application submission deadline is 15 December 2023. Know more
World Wildlife Fund U.S. — Environmental and Social Impact Grant
The Environmental and Social Impact Grant provides financial support to teams and institutions working in Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar focusing on enhancing capacities to address environmental and social impact assessment capacity building needs with an emphasis on local communities. The proposals should focus on WWF key goals including climate, food, forests, freshwater, oceans, and wildlife. Applicants may request up to US$ 15 thousand. Applications must be submitted by 18 December 2023. Environmental and Social Impact Grant
StartupXs — Seed Grant for Social Enterprises
StartupXs invites applications for the 2024 ChangeMakers Seed Funding competition. The competition is open to startups and social enterprises who want to change their community with their innovative business idea. The winner will receive a US$1500 seed grant. Participation is open to any individual (18 and 35 years) or organization in any country. Priority is given to early-stage startups working on an innovative product or idea. The deadline for the submission is 31 December 2023. ChangeMakers Seed Funding
UN Global Compact — Young SDG Innovators Program
The Young SDG Innovators Program is an accelerator program for future business leaders and changemakers to develop and drive innovative SDG solutions through new technologies, initiatives, and business models. Participants participate in online and in-person workshops, case studies, company visits and forum discussions. Companies based in Brazil, China, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, Ukraine, United Kingdom or the United States have the opportunity to collaborate with their Global Compact Local Networks to nominate young professionals for the program. The nomination deadline is 31 January 2024. Link to UN Global Compact
Halcyon — Support for Early-Stage Social Entrepreneurs
The Halcyon Incubator program equips early-stage social entrepreneurs from all around the world with support to transform their ideas into scalable and sustainable ventures. Ventures may be for-profit, hybrid, or undecided, as long as the core mission is to create measurable social change. (Note: This may include business ideas in agriculture, sustainable energy, or sustainable development.) Ventures structured as ‘non-profit’ will only be considered if they have a product or service they are selling. Partnerships (ventures co-founded and led by two individuals) are eligible. Selected entrepreneurs will receive a $10 thousand stipend per venture for food and living expenses during the residency phase, mentorship, one-on-one coaching, and 5 months of free workspace at Halcyon House. Applications are accepted until 20 October 2023. Halcyon Incubator Program
U.S. African Development Foundation — Innovative Solutions to Increase Food Security Namibia
The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) invites proposals for grant financing and local support for innovative solutions that extend producers capabilities to increase food security in Namibia. Eligibility extends to Namibian cooperatives, producer groups, and micro, small and medium sized enterprises. Registered cooperatives and producer groups may apply for awards up to US$250 thousand. Small and medium enterprises may apply for awards up to US$50 thousand. The deadline to submit applications is 15 November 2023. Food Security Namibia
Land Accelerator — Restoration of Degraded Forests and Farmland
The Land Accelerator is a four-month program for entrepreneurs who wish to learn how to restore degraded forests and farmland. The program offers courses in South Asia and Latin America. The accelerator is designed for companies that are in the testing phase of taking their product to market. Any business model that is recognized as restoring land is eligible, including, but not limited to smart agriculture, water conservation, agroforestry, tree planting, and beekeeping, forest conservation. The program currently accepts rolling applications. Click here
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Grants to Improve Resilience and Food Security
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will finance the implementation of a project on “Innovative regenerative agriculture approaches to improve resilience and food security”. The goal is to contribute to more productive and nutritious climate resilient and sustainable agricultural production through the application of regenerative agriculture techniques. The overall grant is US$500 thousand. (Note: The recipient’s contribution must be at least 25% for private sector applicants.) Deadline for submission is 13 October 2023. Link to IFAD
The Commonwealth Secretary-General — Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards
Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards recognize ground-breaking innovations from Commonwealth countries that contribute to one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Each winner will receive a trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of £3,000. Nominees can be individuals, organizations, companies, charities or government bodies. Entries must be received by 15 October 2023. Know more