The Awa Prize highlights women entrepreneurs from Belgian development cooperation countries and their projects. The prize aims to promote women entrepreneurs in their local community and strengthen them in their entrepreneurial success. The winner receives €50 thousand in support of their enterprise and one week in Belgium. Participating countries for the 2023 edition: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, DRC, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Palestine, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda. The competition is open to any woman founder or majority/equal partner in a company based in one of the selected countries. Registrations open from 05 to 15 September 2023. Details here
business/enterprise
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — World Soil Day Award
The World Soil Day Award (WSDA) recognizes individuals and/or institutions that have made an effort to organize successful celebrations in the framework of the World Soil Day campaign of the previous year. The award consists of US$15 thousand and a trip to Thailand. The award is open to individuals, non-profit organizations, universities, and private companies. Applications have to be submitted by 15 September 2023. World Soil Day Award
United States Agency for International Development — Oceans Plastics
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the “Oceans Plastics – Solid Waste Management Activity.” The activity’s goal is to reduce waste in municipalities leading to cleaner oceans in the Dominican Republic. USAID intends to provide US$15 million in total funding over a five year period. Eligibility is not restricted. The closing date for applications is 18 September 2023. Link
Fund for Innovation in Development — Grant Program
The Fund for Innovation in Development (FID) supports innovation that contributes to reducing global poverty and inequality. FID encourages applications for solutions in education, health, climate change, and gender equality in all low- and middle-income countries. Nearly any type of applicant is eligible to apply, including researchers, governments, NGOs and for-profit companies. FID makes five types of grants: Prepare Grants (up to €50 thousand) can be used to support the development of projects and proposals; Pilot Grants (up to €200 thousand) support the piloting of innovations that are early in development and need real-world testing; Scale Grants (up to €1,5 million) support the further testing and continued growth of innovations; Transition to Scale Grants (up to €4 million) support the transition of rigorously tested and validated solutions to widespread scaling; and Transforming Public Policy Grants (up to €150 thousand) support specific evidence-based innovations with demonstrated cost-effectiveness and scalability into public policies. FID accepts applications at any point throughout the year. Know more
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — Smarter Climate Farmers Challenge
The Smarter Climate Farmers Challenge calls for innovations that show the ability of farmers and people working within land and food systems to use climate-smart agriculture approaches. Submissions from across the globe that are scalable in their local contexts and potentially replicable are eligible. Start-ups, social enterprises, small and mid-sized enterprises, and non-profit organizations with a clearly defined, income-generating project may apply. The application deadline is 10 August 2023. Smarter Climate Farmers Challenge
United Nations Development Programme — Conscious Food Systems Alliance
The Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA) supports people from across food and agriculture systems to cultivate the inner capacities that activate systemic change and regeneration. The Alliance seeks projects to test and demonstrate how consciousness approaches can strengthen inner capacities that in turn help accelerate the transformation of food systems, and to generate a set of learnings and learning resources. UNDP will fund approximately four pilot interventions of up to US$20 thousand. Proposals can be submitted by applicants in any location. Individuals are not eligible. The application deadline is 18 August 2023. Link to CoFSA
United States Agency for International Development — Local Food Systems Kenya
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) intends to support creative approaches towards implementation of the program with the aim to strengthen the capacity of households, communities, conservancies, county governments, and the private sector to contribute to the development of sustainable local food systems. USAID intends to fund one award of US$49 million in total funding over a five year period. Eligible organizations include U.S. and non-U.S. non-profit organizations and for-profit organizations willing to forego profit. The closing date for applications is 21 August 2023. Link
SEED — Replicator Workshop for Eco-Enterprises
The SEED Replicator program offers incubation workshops to identify opportunities for enterprise creation and to guide aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners looking for partnerships to build an eco-inclusive business model. Successful alumni can apply for a SEED Grant which pays for your immediate necessary activities, measures or machinery required to establish the new enterprise. SEED Replicator Program currently invites applications from entrepreneurs in Indonesia. Participation is free, although participants need to cover their transportation costs and accommodation. The application deadline is 23 August 2023. SEED Replicator Program
United Nations Development Programme — Accelerated Blue Economy
The Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) seeks proposals that will stimulate socio-economic growth while restoring and conserving the coastal and marine ecosystems. The call invites approaches that create new and additional blue economy opportunities, such as innovations to improve fisheries and aquaculture management, ecotourism opportunities, or sustainable uses of marine resources empowering local coastal communities. Selected innovators will receive up to US$40 thousand to pilot their innovation within a period of maximum six months. Eligibility extends to entities in the least developed countries and/or small island developing states. The application deadline is 28 August 2023. Link
UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council — Standard Research Grant
BBSRC supports a range of activities from research projects to technology development, new infrastructure and equipment, use of equipment and facilities, networks, and summer schools. Case Studies include the themes of agriculture, sustainable energy and climate change. Applicants from industry and academia can request a maximum of £2 million per project. Projects must be based in the UK, however, where a suitable company cannot be found in the UK, an overseas partnership may be possible. Applications must be submitted by 27 September 2023. Link to more info