Celebrate Islands invites video submissions for a contest “My project in 120 seconds” giving winners the opportunity to implement a small project on their island. Projects need to be achievable within one month and may focus on biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, waste and plastic, sustainable economic activities (such as fisheries, agriculture, etc.), water efficiency or energy supply. Celebrate Islands intends to award 3 projects with €3 thousand each. Island projects can be submitted from all around the world but need to focus on an island of less than 150km². Video applications have to be submitted by 30 April 2021. Contest Celebrate Islands 2021
awards/prizes
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Photo Contest 2021
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites current and former grantees to enter the 2021 Digital Photo Contest. CEPF is looking for images that show how their support enables people to protect hotspot species and critical ecosystems, and participate in sustainable livelihoods. The winning images will be featured on the homepage of CEPF’s website and other media within the CEPF network. Deadline for submitting entries is 03 May 2021. Link
IFOAM – Organics International — Organic Farming Innovation Award
IFOAM – Organics International and partners accept applications for the Organic Farming Innovation Award (OFIA). OFIA highlights exceptional innovations and incentivizes activities among researchers, extension agents, practitioners that contribute to solving problems in organic farming. The prize is awarded in two categories: the Grand Prize and the Science Prize. Each winner will receive a monetary award (Grand Prize: US$10 thousand and Science Prize: US$5 thousand), and be invited to the 20th edition of the Organic World Congress. Applications can be submitted in English, French, Spanish, German, Mandarin and Korean. The deadline for OFIA 2021 applications is 01 April 2021. Link to OFIA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Elevate Prize
MIT Solve seeks nominations for the 2021 Elevate Prize. The Prize annually awards $5 million in prize funding and services to a group of 10 leaders who are tackling the most urgent issues of our time around the world. Challenges include, but are not limited to, mitigating and adapting to the impact of climate change, creating safe environments, ensuring access to quality education and healthcare. The Elevate Prize is open only to applicants from registered nonprofit organizations. Applications must be submitted by an individual on behalf of themselves and their organization. The application deadline is 05 May 2021. Elevate Prize
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Rural Youth Innovation Award in Latin America and the Caribbean
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) launches an award to promote youth initiatives for innovation in rural areas. The award will promote the initiatives of young people who are taking action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in rural areas. IFAD seeks solutions that constitute examples of good practices and technologies applied and implemented to overcome the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the region. The initiative should contribute to solving problems related to rural areas, especially with small local producers. Participants must be young nationals (18-35 years) of Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants will compete for financial resources, products and services, and loans. Interested initiatives have to register by 04 April 2021. Link to the award
Dutch Postcode Lottery — Green Challenge 2021
The Dutch Postcode Lottery offers the Green Challenge to encourage the development of products and services that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The competition is open to entrepreneurs with an innovative, green and scalable business from Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. The winner will receive €500 thousand to help bring his or her plan to market. The deadline for submitting entry forms is 15 April 2021. Green Challenge info
U.S. Mission to India — Air Quality Hackathon
The Air Quality Hackathon is a brainstorming event to find practical solutions for improving air quality. Results and solutions will be shared and implemented during a follow-on campaign with school communities and NGO partners. The applicants will conduct a survey to measure the impact of the intervention program after the project is over. The maximum funding amount is US$60 thousand. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, civil society, think tanks, educational institutions, individuals and governmental institutions. The closing date for applications is 30 April 2021. Air Quality Hackathon
United Nations — Innovations to Advance the SDGs
United Nations, in collaboration with Global Innovation Exchange, seeks applications for the 2021 Call for Innovations for a chance to be featured at the UN’s virtual STI Forum (May 2021). Innovations should address COVID-19-associated disruptions that will remain relevant beyond the pandemic to help accelerate progress towards one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The call is open to innovators, scientists, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Applications will be accepted until 26 March 2021. Click here
Net Zero Challenge — Open Data to Advance Climate Action
The Net Zero Challenge is a global competition to answer the question “How can we advance climate action using open data?” Individuals, groups and organizations are invited to submit projects in progress or concepts/ideas. The first stage of the Net Zero Challenge is a ‘Virtual Pitch Contest’. The winner receives US$1,000 to support further development of their idea. All applications must be received by 12 March 2021. Net Zero Challenge
Agropolis Foundation — Award for Transformative Agroecological Research
The Biovision Foundation, in partnership with the Agropolis Foundation, awards the SHIFT Prize to recognize collaborative and transdisciplinary research for development projects and initiatives that have made exemplary contributions to the agroecological transformation of food systems. The winning project will receive €20 thousand unrestricted funding to support its further development and strengthen its impacts. Eligibility extends to projects and initiatives contributing to an evidence-based food system transformation anywhere in the world. The application deadline is 15 March 2021. SHIFT Prize