The IDB seeks firms and organizations looking to pilot and scale up business models that use cutting edge technologies to contribute to the sustainable management of oceans, marine ecosystems and coastal resources. The funding requests (technical assistance) should be within a range of US$150 thousand to US$500 thousand. Proposals for loans should be within a range of US$500 thousand to US$2 million. The Blue Tech Challenge seeks to support business models that apply new technologies to deliver products and/or solutions in: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The submission deadline is 30 November 2018. Find the Blue Tech Challenge
awards/prizes
FoodShot Global — Groundbreaking Soil Innovations
Foodshot Global welcomes nominations for the Groundbreaker Prize. The competition invites entrepreneurs, researchers, and advocates to submit their business, research, or policy proposals for innovative soil solutions in sustainable agriculture for funding consideration. The winner will receive US$500 thousand to further develop or implement their idea. Nominations and applications will be accepted until 01 December 2018. About FoodShot Global
Climate Tracker — Writing Competition on Climate Change
Climate Tracker seeks young writers from around the world who want to make a big impact in their countries by writing about the effects of meat consumption on climate change. The 2 best writers will get a chance to attend the Convention on Biological Diversity negotiations in Egypt (November 2018). Participants have to write an article about effects of meat consumption on climate change and what needs to change in their country and publish the article in the media, e.g. newspaper, magazine, online news site, etc. To participate, articles have to be submitted by 12 October 2018. Join the #DietChangeNotClimateChange writing competition
Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation — Pacific AgriHack Lab 2018
The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) seek innovations that have to potential to overcome challenges in agriculture, agribusiness and aquaculture. The AgriHack Lab aims to address the limited support for upscaling the use of novel and existing ICT platforms/applications or developing prototypes for farmers (especially smallholders and fisheries) and small and medium enterprises. Three selected winners will receive €5 thousand to implement their solution. The competition is open to ICT experts, tech savvy young professionals, farmers and/or agri-entrepreneurs operating in Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, or Vanuatu. Applications must be submitted by 31 October 2018. Pacific 2018 AgriHack Lab
Consultative Group to Assist the Poor — Picturing Financial Inclusion in Africa
Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) launches its 13th Annual Photos and Videos Contest 2018. The contest seeks striking photographs and short videos that tell the story of how financial services empower poor people and communities in Africa. The grand winner receives a US$ 2,000 gift certificate for photography or video equipment. The 2018 CGAP Photo Contest is open to all photographers and videographers. Photographs and short videos have to be submitted by 14 December 2018. Share your stories
TWIGA — Hackathon for Environmental Sensors
TWIGA is a 4-year project under EU Horizon2020 aimed to transform weather water data into value-added information services. To foster involvement by young scientists and entrepreneurs, TWIGA will organize five hackathons to develop solutions for the agriculture, water, energy, disaster response and risk management sector. The first call is open to teams from Ghana. Similar hackathons will be organized in other parts of Africa later. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will receive €1500, €1000, and €500. Applications should be submitted by 30 September 2018. Participate in the TWIGA Hackathon
Euromena Consulting — Awards for MENA Start-ups
Euromena Consulting launches the Euromena Awards – MENA Edition. The awards are intended for companies or innovative projects with social, economic, environmental and/or societal impact. Proposed projects should be related to MENA and/or be established in the region. The three winners will receive coaching and support for 6 months and the 1st place startup receives a €10 thousand financial reward. Applications must be sent before 29 October 2018. Find out more
Global Social Venture Competition — Competition 2019
The Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) is a partnership of business schools in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with mentoring, exposure, and funding to support their social ventures. Past winners include plans for water supply, energy, micro-credit, agricultural technology, ecological building materials, and other environmental themes. The GSVC will award cash prizes up to US$40 thousand. The deadline for the first entry round in all regions is 03 December 2018. Find the competition
Africa Innovates for the SDGs — Award for African Social Innovators
Africa Innovates for the SDGs invites applications from early-stage social innovators in Africa who are solving pressing problems and key challenges linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. Selected innovators will receive funding to develop and scale their innovations to become financially sustainable. Applicants must be a citizen of any African country or a resident in any African countries. The deadline for applications is 07 September 2018. Find the guidelines
Tata Group — Tata Social Enterprise Challenge, 7th Edition
The Tata Group, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC), seeks to identify promising social enterprises in India. Proposals are invited for social enterprises in agriculture, water and sanitation, energy, and other thematic areas. The proposed enterprises should create social impact in India, although applicants do not have to be Indian nationals. The top three winners of the competition will win cash grants up to 2 lakhs each, to be invested in their ventures. Selected social entrepreneurs will be offered mentorship and an opportunity to be incubated at IIMC. The deadline for submitting impact proposals (business plans) is 30 September 2018. Link