The Arab Startup Competition is a yearly competition run by the MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab in three different tracks: Ideas; Startups; and Social Entrepreneurship. Previous winners include examples in agricultural irrigation, transportation efficiency, and other green themes. The winning entrepreneurs are awarded prizes of up to US$50 thousand as well as training, mentorship, coaching, media exposure, and networking opportunities. Eligible enterprises can be located in any Arab country, and each team must have at least two members. The application deadline is 06 December 2021. Link to the competition
awards/prizes
Women’s International Network on Disasters Risk Reduction — Awards
The Women’s International Network on Disasters Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) awards two cash prizes to highlight the work of women who are changing the field of disaster risk reduction. Nominees must identify as women and be citizens/permanent residents of Asia-Pacific countries, who are working on disaster risk reduction across the Asia-Pacific region. Nominations close on 17 September 2021. Find details
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Photo Contest on Salt-Affected Soils
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launches a Photo Contest on Salt-Affected Soils. Its purpose is to offer participants the opportunity to share their testimonies on the effects of soil salinity and sodification while raising awareness about the dangers posed by these soil threats. Each participant can submit up to five entries. Entrants must own the copyright and must have taken the photographs themselves. The first three prizes will respectively win a cash prize of US$500, US$300 and US$200. Additional prizes will be awarded to the first 10 shortlisted finalists. Submission closes 30 September 2021. Photo Contest
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award — Islamic Green City Excellence Award
The Islamic Green City Excellence Award is dedicated to outstanding works carried out by individuals and public as well as private institutions and organizations operating in the various fields of the environment and sustainable development. The selection of the candidate city for the Award is assessed on the basis of specific criteria, including Sustainable Energy Use, Water and Wastewater Management, Urban Forestry, Biodiversity Preservation, and Climate Change Mitigation, among others. Eligibility extends to everyone involved in environmental management and sustainable development (individuals, groups, institutions, organizations, companies, associations etc., be they public, private or non-governmental) from the Islamic countries. The application remains open until 21 December 2021. Link
Africa Solar Industry Association — Solar Awards
The AFSIA Solar Awards celebrate exceptional talent in the African solar market. AFSIA seeks solar applications, for example, large-scale solar park or solar home systems, grid-connected and off-grid systems, and solar-powered applications such as street lighting, solar irrigation, refrigeration or cook stoves. The Awards intend to recognize companies and individuals that have contributed to promoting and advancing the use of solar across Africa. Applications close on 24 September 2021. AFSIA Solar Awards
International Water Association — IWA Development Award
The International Water Association (IWA) Professional Development Award recognizes excellence, leadership and innovation in the water sector, and aims to encourage the continued contribution to the sustainable management of water in low- and middle-income countries. The award is open to an individual, or representative of an organization active in the water sector. The right to submit a nomination for the award is granted to Members of the International Water Association and previous awardees. The call for nominations closes 01 October 2021. IWA Development Award
Tropical Forest Alliance — Tropical Forest Commodities Challenge
The Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) and UpLink launch the Tropical Forest Commodities Challenge, calling for solutions for systemic change in commodity supply chains that rely on deforestation free practices. Solutions should deliver benefits to the global environment, while also ensuring sustainable livelihoods. Submissions may either be existing solutions with tracked success, or new entrepreneurial ideas. The best 10-20 submissions will be invited to a 4-month cohort program by Tropical Forest Alliance as part of the World Economic Forum. Submissions are being accepted until 27 August 2021. Tropical Forest Commodities Challenge
European Union — Youth Awards for Climate Storytelling
The EU GCCA+ Youth Awards support young journalists, writers and photographers to tell powerful climate stories around the world. Individuals between 18 and 30 years can participate with a video or a story with photos about climate change cooperation, preferably related to an EU-funded project in their country. Five award winners will be able to participate in a 6 weeks masterclass with leading climate reporters and activists. The deadline for registration and submission is 22 September 2021. Award for Climate Storytelling
United Nations Capital Development Fund — Agritech Challenge
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) invites Expressions of Interest for the Agritech Challenge 2021 to co-create or adapt solutions for smallholders farmers. Solutions must focus on key challenges of small farmers in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia in Africa and India, Indonesia, Malaysia in Asia. The program invites applications from start-ups with solutions that are addressing low productivity, climate risk, or inefficient supply chain challenges and are interested to pilot their solution in one of the seven participating countries. Applicants must submit a complete application form before 30 August 2021. UNCDF Agritech Challenge
Afri-Plastics Challenge — Marine Plastic Waste
The Afri-Plastics Challenge seeks proposals that focus on solving the marine plastics problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Challenge aims to reduce marine plastics by developing and scaling innovative solutions to plastic mismanagement. Challenge prizes are competitions that offer a reward for the first or best solution to a problem. The process identifies the most promising and supports them with seed funding and expert support to develop the idea further. Applicants must be formally constituted and operating in Sub-Saharan Africa as either a registered business or non-governmental organization. The closing date for applications is 15 September 2021. About the Afri-Plastics Challenge