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
awards/prizes
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
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Agrobiodiversity Innovation Challenge
The Agrobiodiversity Innovation Challenge seeks new products, services, and best practices that can help farmers, consumers, and food companies to increase production while conserving agrobiodiversity. Two selected winners will receive US$5 thousand, mentorship and technical assistance. Applicants must be individuals, private companies, or institutions responsible for an innovation with a demonstrated efficiency to enhance and promote sustainable food and agriculture. The submission deadline is 30 September 2021. More information
SVG Ventures — THRIVE LATAM Challenge
Silicon Valley Global Ventures is an investment, technology and advisory firm that invests in companies that go through their accelerator program. The THRIVE LATAM Challenge seeks innovative solutions specifically designed for the Latin American agrifood industry. SVG Ventures will select the best startups and scale-ups for investment. The winner will participate in the Silicon Valley Startup Bootcamp and have the opportunity to pitch their idea in front of global investors. The challenge is open to agri food companies in Latin America. The application deadline is 02 December 2021. Link to THRIVE LATAM
Atlantic Strategy Group — Atlantic Project Awards
The Atlantic Project Awards honor projects that showcase success stories and best practices for a more sustainable Atlantic ocean and Atlantic coastal communities. Projects may focus on blue economy, ocean literacy, marine renewable energy, ocean health and resilient coasts, as well as international Atlantic Ocean cooperation. Eligibility extends to professionals, entrepreneurs, organizations, research institutions, maritime clusters, associations and NGOs. Note that the Awards only showcase funded projects (in progress or completed). Project ideas are not eligible. The winner will be invited to the 7th Atlantic Stakeholder Conference (Ireland, October 2021). The deadline for applications is 07 September 2021. More
Grinnell College — Grinnell Prize 2022
Grinnell College invites nominations for the 2022 Grinnell Prize. The Grinnell Prize of US$50 thousand will be awarded to individuals who show creativity, commitment, and extraordinary accomplishment in effecting positive social change. Past nominations have spanned a diversity of social issues related to agriculture and hunger relief, conservation and environment, and many other thematic areas. Nominees may be nationals of any country who have earned a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) between 2006 and 2022. Nominees must be nominated by a third party. The closing date for nominations is 31 October 2021. About the Grinnell Prize
Access Bank W Initiative — Support for African Female Entrepreneurs
Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton Africa is a women-in-business support initiative that provides financial grants and MBA certifications to women entrepreneurs in Africa. The program invites female entrepreneurs from Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia, Sierra-Leone, Gambia, Kenya, Mozambique and Congo to apply to the next pitching competition. Eligibility extends to female business owners from all sectors. Participants have the chance to win ₦5 million (approx. US$12 thousand) in support of their business idea. Applications have to be submitted by 13 August 2021. Womenpreneur
Global Landscapes Forum — Amazonian Storytelling Competition
TThe Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) hosts an Amazonian Storytelling Competition looking for perspectives from Indigenous peoples and local communities, Afro-descendant peoples, peasants and women, farmers, and community leaders. Topics include deforestation, biodiversity loss, land rights, ecosystem restoration, and food security, among others. The three best stories will receive prizes of €500, €300 and €200 respectively. The competition is open to any young person between the ages of 18 and 35 who is currently living in the Amazon (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela). Stories must be submitted by 31 August 2021. Storytelling Competition
United States Agency for International Development — Digital Storytelling Contest
The Global Leadership and Education Advancing Development (Global LEAD) Initiative invites submissions to the digital storytelling contest to show how youth are using the power of change to make the world a better place. Young changemakers between the ages of 18 and 35 can submit an original, three-minute video or slideshow in Arabic, English, French, or Spanish that tells the story of their youth-led actions to advance their community. Stories must be linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the key issues: Climate Action and Food Security/Resilience. Voting will open on the platform on July 1 and close on 23 July 2021. Be aware that early submissions have more chances to get more votes. Global LEAD Digital Storytelling Contest
Empower a Billion Lives — Solutions to Energy Poverty
IEEE Empower a Billion Lives is a global competition aimed at fostering innovation to develop solutions to electricity access. Solutions are expected to be scalable, innovative and sustainable. The competition is open to student groups, companies, research institutions, and non-profit organizations. Winners of the regional round will be provided enough funding to complete a 2-month long field pilot. Global final winners will receive up to $1 million in prize monies. Teams must present their solution concept and a three-minute pitch video until 31 October 2021. Link