The COFO Working Group Drylands Global School 2025 is a capacity-building program aimed at professionals engaged in dryland management. The 2025 edition will take place in July 2025 in Mongolia, focusing on enhancing governance of dryland forests, rangelands, and agrosilvopastoral systems. While the school itself is free of charge, the participants or their organizations need to cover their travel and accommodation costs. Applicants should have experience in dryland management and must submit an expression of interest. Details
business/enterprise
IUCN — Biodiversity Conservation
BESTLIFE2030 provides grant funding for small-scale field actions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the EU’s Outermost Regions and associated Overseas Countries and Territories. The program provides support at both local and regional levels for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of ecosystem services, including for climate adaptation. Grants are a maximum of €100 thousand per recipient for projects ranging between 18 to 36 months. In order to be eligible the lead applicant must be a private or public legal entity and be located in one of the priority regions (Amazonia, the French Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and North Atlantic’s Saint Pierre and Miquelon). The application deadline is 30 May 2025. Link
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Global Forestry Recognition
The FAO 80 Global Forestry Recognition initiative aims to honor individuals and organizations worldwide that have made outstanding contributions to sustainable forest management and the transformation of agrifood systems over the past 80 years. Nominations are open to individuals, institutions, and organizations that have achieved long-term results in forest production, conservation, sustainable use of forest resources, or have implemented effective forest policies and strategies. Interested parties must submit nominations through the official FAO portal by 31 May 2025. Global Forestry Recognition
Innovate 4 Nature — Award for Nature-Positive Solutions
Innovate 4 Nature is a Swiss foundation supporting start-ups in the nature-positive space. The foundation issues an award in which organizations can participate. The Innovate 4 Nature Award honors projects, companies, and entrepreneurs that have developed promising, high-quality nature-positive solutions. The four key areas of the I4N Award are sustainable management of ecosystems; nature as infrastructure; regenerative agriculture; and circular nature-positive solutions. The award offers a total of CHF 100 thousand in prize money. Award winners can benefit from access to an ecosystem of partners and experts. (please be aware that the foundation does not offer grants or other financial means.) The application deadline is 12 June 2025. Innovate 4 Nature Award
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Aquatic Food Systems
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations aims to recognize the critical role of aquatic foods in nourishing communities and sustaining livelihoods. Nominations are open to national, regional, and local administrations, research and development institutions, the private sector, civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations that have made a meaningful impact on the sustainable and responsible development of fisheries and aquaculture. Submissions are open until 30 June 2025. Details
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Global Forestry Champions
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) seeks to honor individuals, institutions, initiatives, and programs that have significantly impacted forestry development at national, regional, or global levels. Selected nominees will be recognized for their achievements across ten thematic areas, including forest restoration, biodiversity, climate action, and innovation. The call for nominations is open to governmental institutions; national, regional or local agencies; intergovernmental organizations; non-government organizations; academia; community service organizations; and the private sector. The deadline for receiving nominations is 31 May 2025. More about this opportunity
African Development Bank — Agri-Food Financing
Seed Lab offers capacity building supporting agri-food businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa. Prioritization will be given to businesses with integrated gender-inclusive and climate-resilient practices. The 3-month program offers help with strategic planning, financial management, business operations, and leadership, to support sustainable growth. The deadline for applications is 25 April 2025. More information
Village Capital — Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa
Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa 2025 is a program that supports climate-focused startups in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Village Capital seeks entrepreneurs focused on climate adaptation, renewable energy, blue economy, and food security solutions. Participants will access mentorship, investor connections, financial modeling support, and exposure opportunities. Eligibility extends to for-profit entities in the target countries. Applications close on 30 April 2025. Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship Africa
International Water Association — Recovery Best Practice Award
The International Water Association recognizes exemplary practices in resource recovery from water and wastewater treatment. Winners will receive a trophy, certificate, and the opportunity to present at the 6th IWA International Resource Recovery Conference in the Netherlands. Eligibility extends to individuals or organizations demonstrating innovative, replicable, and environmentally impactful solutions within the resource recovery value chain. Nominations close on 05 May 2025. Resource Recovery Best Practice Award 2025
Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area — Woman Greening Food Systems Award
PRIMA seeks innovative solutions for greening food systems, emphasizing practices led by women in the Mediterranean region, focusing on environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and resource efficiency in agriculture, food production, and waste reduction. PRIMA will award two winners with €10 thousand each. The deadline for nominations is 15 July 2025. Know more