The United Nations Development Programme in Africa (UNDP Africa) seeks youth from the Sahel Region willing to pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of judges at the YouthConnekt Sahel Forum. UNDP Africa is interested in innovative ideas from a broad range of topics, including agroforestry and climate change mitigation/adaptation, driving the region’s transformation. Participants have to be 35 or younger and be a national of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, or Senegal. The deadline for applications is 21 November 2021. Sahel Innovate Challenge
awards/prizes
Credit Suisse — Lead2030 Challenge for SDG 15 (Life on Land)
The Young One World Lead2030 Challenge for SDG 15 seeks ideas and innovations aimed at restoring ecosystem services and biodiversity by combating deforestation, countering desertification, and ensuring the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. The challenge welcomes solutions from young innovators (18-30 years old). The winner will receive a US$50 thousand project startup grant and 12-months of mentorship from Credit Suisse. The application deadline is 15 December 2021. SDG 15 (Life on Land)
European Institute of Innovation and Technology — Bauhaus Climate Acceleration Program
The New European Bauhaus Climate Acceleration Program provides support to the most promising climate and sustainability ventures. The program seeks to support green transition in cities through architectural, cultural, and historic sites, for example, natural building materials and energy efficiency, sustainable alternatives for hardscapes as urban spaces, or urban farming and regenerative agriculture to reduce emissions. Four companies will each receive a € 25 thousand prize to accelerate their growth and a tailored package of supporting services. Eligibility extends to early-stage startups developing scalable solutions with high potential to make an impact on climate issues. Applications have to be submitted by 17 December 2021. EIT Community Booster
World Water Council — World Water Prize 2022
The World Water Council invites applications for the 2022 King Hassan II Great World Water Prize. The prize is intended for projects that focus on the management and development of water resources. For this edition, the theme chosen is “Water security in territories for sustainable development and food security.” The Prize will be awarded for the sixth time during the 9th World Water Forum in Dakar, Senegal. Nominations can be for a person, a group of persons, or an organization. The Prize can be awarded for either an enduring work, or the performance of an outstanding one-off achievement. The winner will receive US$500 thousand. Nominations must be submitted by 31 December 2021. World Water Prize
Asian Development Bank — Energy Efficiency Innovation Challenge
Energy Efficiency Innovation Challenge calls for the submission of business ideas or solutions that can contribute to lowering energy consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Eligibility extends to companies operating or based in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The deadline for submissions of EOIs is 01 November 2021. Energy Efficiency Innovation Challenge
HIPA — Photography Award 2021-2022
The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) is an international photography award. The main theme of this year’s award is “Nature.” The grant prize is US$120 thousand, including smaller prizes of up to US$20 thousand in five different categories. Individuals from any part of the world are invited to participate. Photos have to be submitted by 30 November 2021. About HIPA
Milken Institute and Motsepe Foundation — Prize in AgriTech
The Milken-Motsepe Prize in AgriTech is a global competition for innovative solutions to increase economic value to farmers, from seed to sale. Registration is free and open to anyone, with a US$1 million grand prize available for the winning team, and US$1 million in additional prizes. First, teams submit their design and business model. An independent panel of expert judges will select up to 25 teams to receive US$10 thousand each. In the finalist round, teams develop their prototypes and conduct field tests on small and medium-sized farms in Africa. To compete, agritech solutions have to be registered by 08 December 2021. Milken-Motsepe Prize in AgriTech
Schneider Electric — Go Green Student Competition: Greater China
Schneider Electric seeks applications for the Go Green global student competition in East Asia & Japan. Students are invited to submit solutions to real-life case challenges within energy management or ideas for sustainable energy access. Top teams will be invited to attend the Virtual Global Finals to pitch their ideas. In addition, one all-female team from the semi-finals will win the Women in Business Award. Global winners will be awarded a €10 thousand prize. The deadline to submit energy ideas is 14 February 2022. Go Green East Asia & Japan
Schneider Electric — Go Green Student Competition: Greater India
Schneider Electric seeks applications for the Go Green global student competition in Greater India. Students are invited to submit solutions to real-life case challenges within energy management or ideas for sustainable energy access. Top teams will be invited to attend the Virtual Global Finals to pitch their ideas. In addition, one all-female team from the semi-finals will win the Women in Business Award. Global winners will be awarded a €10 thousand prize. The deadline to submit energy ideas is 18 February 2022. Go Green Greater India
Schneider Electric — Go Green Student Competition: South America
Schneider Electric seeks applications for the Go Green global student competition in South America. Students are invited to submit solutions to real-life case challenges within energy management or ideas for sustainable energy access. Top teams will be invited to attend the Virtual Global Finals to pitch their ideas. In addition, one all-female team from the semi-finals will win the Women in Business Award. Global winners will be awarded a €10 thousand prize. The deadline to submit energy ideas is 10 March 2022. Go Green South America