GreenCape and Westerwelle Startup Haus Mombasa invite entrepreneurs to enter the 2026 FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge. The competition is open to pre-growth, sales-generating green businesses located in Botswana, eSwatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Tanzania. Eligible entries must offer economically viable business solutions in circular economy and waste, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, sustainable mobility, or water and wastewater. Finalists receive mentorship, access to funding networks, and a chance to pitch to investors, with the winner and finalists competing for cash and in-kind prizes valued at approximately US$20 thousand. The deadline for entries is 30 June 2026. Afri GreenPitch Challenge
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UK Government — Extra Grants for Biodiversity
The Darwin Initiative invites applications for its Extra grants program to fund large-scale, collaborative projects aimed at protecting biodiversity and reducing poverty in eligible low- to upper-middle-income countries. Non-governmental organisations, research institutions, and private sector businesses can apply with initiatives that demonstrate strong potential to scale up proven environmental interventions. The program provides funding ranging from £1 million to £5 million for a project period lasting between two and five years. The deadline for Phase I applications is 01 July 2026. Grants for Biodiversity
Social Nest Foundation — Startup Challenge
The Social Nest Foundation invites applications for its 2026 Startup Challenge to support early- and growth-stage ventures driving social and environmental transformation. Legally incorporated startups from any country are eligible to apply, provided they have a validated minimum viable product or a product already on the market. The competition focuses on five innovation areas, including climate tech, smart cities, agritech, health, and inclusive economic systems. The single winning startup receives a €10 thousand cash prize, alongside international pitch opportunities and matchmaking sessions with investors in Valencia, Spain. The application deadline is 14 July 2026. Link
African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum — Pitch n Grow Competition
The African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum invites applications for its Pitch n Grow competition. The program offers early-stage and high-growth women-led African startups the opportunity to present their business models directly to an audience of international investors, venture capitalists, and corporate executives during the annual forum. Eligible applicants must be female founders or business leaders running enterprises based in any African country. The competition focuses on providing market visibility, technical mentoring, and investor match-making; however, specific monetary grant awards are not disclosed. The application deadline is 20 July 2026. Pitch n Grow Competition
Schmidt Marine Technology Partners — Ocean Innovation Funding Program
Schmidt Marine Technology Partners invites applications for its ocean innovation program to transform promising marine technologies into real-world conservation tools. Universities, non-profit organisations, and startup companies globally can apply with practical, scalable hardware or software projects that improve ocean health, enhance sustainable fisheries, or support habitat restoration. The program does not fund individuals directly unless they apply through an eligible institution or business. Grant amounts typically range between US$100 thousand and US$400 thousand to support the development, testing, and deployment of these systems. The application deadline is 31 July 2026. Ocean Innovation Funding
UK Government — Transformative Biodiversity Conservation
The Darwin Plus Strategic program invites applications for large-scale, collaborative projects aimed at delivering long-term biodiversity conservation and climate change resilience. Non-governmental organizations, research institutions, public entities, and private businesses can apply with ambitious initiatives that demonstrate clear scalability or systemic impact. Projects must directly benefit the natural environment of eligible UK Overseas Territories, such as Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the Falkland Islands. The program provides funding ranging from £1 million to £3 million for collaborative interventions lasting between three and five years. The deadline for single-stage applications is 14 September 2026. Darwin Plus
European Commission — Blue Bio-Based Products
The European Commission offers research and innovation grants to support projects that harness the properties of marine organisms to develop sustainable bio-based products. Eligible applicants must form a collaborative consortium consisting of at least three independent legal entities from three different European Union member states or associated countries. Legal entities can include universities, research organizations, small businesses, and for-profit companies. The program allocates a total budget of €10 million for this topic, intending to fund approximately two separate projects at around €5 million each. The deadline for single-stage project submissions is 17 September 2026. Details here
European Commission — Algae and Marine Microorganisms in Food Systems
The European Commission offers research and innovation grants to develop nutritious, sustainable food and feed products using marine algae and microorganisms. Eligible applicants must form a collaborative consortium consisting of at least three independent legal entities, each established in a different European Union member state or associated country. Eligible organisations include universities, research institutes, small businesses, and for-profit companies. The program provides a total budget of €9 million for this topic, aiming to fund two separate projects at around €4.5 million each over a multi-year period. The deadline for single-stage submissions is 17 September 2026. Link to EC
International Center for New Media — World Summit Awards 2026
Nominations are open for the World Summit Awards (WSA) and the WSA Young Innovators Awards (young social entrepreneurs under 26 years of age). Start-ups and social entrepreneurs are asked to submit their local digital innovations with high social impact. The 8 award categories include one on Environment & Green Energy (climate, sustainable resources, agriculture). The winner does not receive a monetary award but does benefit from partnerships and integrations. Applications are accepted from companies, organizations, or individuals. The deadline to apply for WSA and WSA Young Innovators is 15 October 2026. (Deadlines for national submission of applications for WSA may vary locally.) Find out more
UNICEF — Sustainable WASH Solutions
The UNICEF Sustainable WASH Innovation Hub invites submissions for proven innovative water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions that have demonstrated evidence in addressing critical global challenges. The program targets individuals, businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and organizations worldwide with scalable technologies or models that align with UNICEF’s strategic problem statements, such as groundwater mapping, climate-sensitive data, or innovative financing. Selected participants gain access to UNICEF’s global network across more than 190 countries, technical guidance from experts, and strategic matchmaking to scale their impact, though specific monetary funding amounts are not disclosed. There is no fixed deadline, as submissions are reviewed on a rolling, quarterly basis. Innovative WASH Solutions