The EnDev Program facilitates access to modern energy services for households, social institutions, and small and medium enterprises through market development for improved cook stoves. EnDev Uganda offers business development services support through targeted mentoring, training, and coaching. The call targets small and medium enterprises operating in the off-grid solar or clean cooking sectors in Uganda. The deadline for submission of applications is 24 March 2023. Know more
business/enterprise
Biomimicry Institute — Nature-Inspired Solutions for a Healthy Planet
The Biomimicry Institute seeks applications for the Ray of Hope Prize which celebrates nature-inspired solutions addressing the world’s biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. The challenge is open to innovative ideas from a variety of topics, such as agriculture, water, clean energy, biotechnology, and many more. Up to 10 startups will be selected as finalists to pitch their business idea for US$100 thousand in prize money which can be used to develop their ideas into market-ready products. The competition is open to entrepreneurs and inventors worldwide. The application deadline for the 2023 prize is 28 April 2023. Ray of Hope Prize
U.S. Agency for International Development — Climate Action Partnership for Education
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks opportunities to co-create, and collaborate in the research, testing and scaling of innovative solutions that will advance climate action with a focus on girls’ education. USAID invites organizations, companies, community-based enterprises, academic and research institutions, and government agencies to propose novel or creative approaches. USAID anticipates making one to three awards totaling between US$4 to 5 million over two to three years. USAID seeks solutions that are relevant to sub-Saharan Africa and/or Southeast Asia. The application deadline is 28 April 2023. Click here
Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa — Off-Grid Energy
Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA) aims to stimulate new sustainable business models which incentivize and accelerate the private sector to offer affordable and clean off-grid energy access to underserved areas of Uganda. The BGFA invites off-grid energy companies to submit proposals for clean and affordable energy solutions in peri-urban and rural areas. The individual contract size is expected to be between €2 and €3 million. The application process is divided into two stages: (1) Pre-Qualification and (2) Final Application. The deadline for Pre-Qualification is 04 May 2023. Off-Grid Energy Africa
U. S. Department of Agriculture — Food for Progress Program
The Food for Progress Program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities to developing countries committed to expanding free enterprise in the agricultural sector. The objective is to improve agricultural productivity and to expand trade of agricultural products. The Program has prioritized the following areas: the Cacao sector, the Coffee sector, the Spices sector, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards, the Trade Facilitation Agreement, and Climate Smart Agriculture. The estimated funding per award is US$20-US$39 million. The following entities are eligible to apply: governments of emerging agricultural countries, nonprofit organizations, universities, and any other private entity. The closing date for applications is 24 May 2024. Food for Progress Program
Visegrad Fund — Western Balkans Grant Program
The International Visegrad Fund calls for grant projects that will facilitate the transfer of know-how between non-governmental and civil society organizations in Visegrad countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary) and the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia). Thematic areas include environment and sustainable development, among others. The program is open to any legal entity or natural person worldwide, with preference for projects submitted by non-profit and non-governmental organizations; public educational, cultural, and research institutions; and municipalities and local governments. Proposals are accepted three times. The remaining deadlines for 2023 are 01 June and 01 October. Visegrad+ Grants
Village Capital — Greentech Europe
Village Capital launches an investment readiness program to support gender diverse ventures creating sustainable economic, environmental, and social solutions across Europe. The program currently accepts 50 additional startups to participate in an online, self-paced investment-readiness curriculum. The program will run for twelve weeks. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, through 20 March 2023. Greentech Europe
Tony Elumelu Foundation — Entrepreneurship Program for Africans 2023
The Tony Elumelu Foundation fosters and supports start-up enterprises in Africa. The TEF Entrepreneurship Program provides mentoring, training, forums, seed capital, and alumni support to individuals in Africa proposing new business ideas or early-stage companies in sectors that include agriculture, among others. Participants receive up to US$5 thousand in seed capital. The program is open to citizens and legal residents ages 18 and older in any African country. The next application deadline (English, French, Portuguese) is 31 March 2023. TEF Entrepreneurship Program
Inter-American Development Bank — Women in STEM Competition
WeXchange seeks to identify the most innovative women entrepreneurs in STEM from Latin America and the Caribbean and connect them with potential financing opportunities. The competition supports female entrepreneurs in tech (e.g., agritech, biotech, sustainable energy etc.). 15 women-led startups will pitch their business to investors and participate in a micro-acceleration program with workshops, keynotes and one-on-one mentoring sessions. Eligibility extends to startups with a high technological component or where Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are key pieces. The application deadline is 31 March 2023. Details here
Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship — Training for Social Entrepreneurs
The Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship accepts applications for an accelerator program focused on social enterprises looking to scale a proven impact model. The program is designed for established social entrepreneurs that directly serve people living in poverty who suffer disproportionately from climate change. Climate resilience falls into one of the following three categories: sustainable energy, availability of sustainable management of water and sanitation, and climate-smart agriculture. Non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid social enterprises that have a clear commitment to an earned revenue model with the potential for scale are all encouraged to apply. There are no geographical limitations. Participants are selected on a rolling basis. The application deadline for the upcoming accelerator is 31 March 2023. Link to Miller Center