The Sankalp Awards celebrate social entrepreneurs who are making a positive impact on society by creating innovative solutions with a global community. The Award recognizes the work of entrepreneurs who have been building an enabling ecosystem which provides the right resources and environment for entrepreneurs to thrive in. Applicants must run a high-impact business that caters to rural, low-income, or disadvantaged communities. Areas of impact include Agriculture, WASH, Clean Energy and Climate Solutions, among others. The deadline to apply is 07 July 2022. Sankalp Global Awards
business/enterprise
L’Oréal — Beyond Plastic Challenge
L’Oréal seeks innovators who can provide plastic free biomaterial solutions that enable plastic free packaging. The Beyond Plastic Challenge is open to established companies, startups, universities and technical centers or laboratories. Finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their proposition in front of experts. Candidates will need to register themselves by 18 July 2022. Link to registration
U.S. African Development Foundation — Agricultural Cooperatives in Nigeria
The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) and Ekiti State Government (EKSG) invites proposals for grant financing and local support for innovative solutions that improve farmer incomes and achieve sustainable market-based growth. Proposals will be accepted from registered agricultural cooperatives, producer groups, and agricultural processors in Nigeria. Grant awards range from US$50 thousand to US$250 thousand. Organizations must be 100% African-owned and led. Applications have to be submitted by 31 July 2022. Click here
French Development Agency — Biodiversity Partners Program
The Biodiversity Partners Program (BiPP) is a training course with focus on biodiversity regeneration and nature based solutions with the aim to support the implementation of pro-nature projects. The program is for organizations (companies, institutions, etc.) and entrepreneurs who develop or support projects that will have an impact on biodiversity. Eligibility extends to Southern African projects holders in Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Botswana. Participation in the program is free. The application deadline is 27 June 2022. Link to BiPP
International Union for Conservation of Nature — Sustainable Environments
The Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Environments (RISE) Grant Program supports strategies to prevent gender-based violence in the context of natural resource access and control. For that purpose, RISE seeks partnerships between environmental organizations, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, local and grassroots communities. RISE seeks to fund up to six projects in the range of US$100 thousand to US$300 thousand each. Projects must be implemented in Central America and the Caribbean, Eastern and Southern Africa, or South and Southeast Asia. RISE is open to non-profit organizations, universities, private sector companies and consortiums. The call for proposals is open until 18 July 2022. RISE Grant Program
Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund — Investing In Women in Agribusiness
The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) seeks applications for the Investing in Women in South Sudan (IIW-SS) program. Projects should focus on enhancing women’s economic empowerment in the honey, sorghum, sesame, shea nut and groundnut value chains in South Sudan to increase incomes, reduce climate risks, and transform livelihoods. Total grant funds requested must be between US$50 thousand and US$750 thousand. Eligibility extends to for-profit enterprises located in South Sudan with demonstrated presence in Central and Eastern Equatoria States. The deadline for the submission of concept note applications is 09 August 2022. Women in Agribusiness
European Commission — Optimize Farming and Forestry in North Macedonia
The European Commission (EC) seeks to modernize and optimize farming and forestry through provision of support to modernization and innovative management in the agricultural sector. EC will fund projects and business operations of entities active in the agricultural, forestry and agri-food industry, as well as activities to promote cooperation between farmers in order to establish producers’ organizations and co-operatives. Applicants can request up to €450 thousand in funding. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations legally established in North Macedonia. The application deadline is 18 July 2022. Know more
Mirova — Nature-based Solutions
The Nature+ Accelerator Fund aims to support nature-based innovative solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change whilst delivering positive impacts both on biodiversity and the wellbeing of local communities. The Fund will invest in projects across the following four categories: Terrestrial Conservation and Restoration; Marine Conservation and Coastal Resilience; Sustainable Agriculture; and Nature-Based Innovation (e.g., drone technology, conservation-focused smart apps, etc.). Projects with an early-stage concept may request between US$100-200 thousand, projects that have a proof-of-concept can receive between US$1-2 million, and successful projects looking for follow-on funding to scale-up will receive up to US$5 million. Applicants must be seeking commercial proposals – the funding delivered will be investment capital subject to repayment and returns. The application window closes 31 August 2022. Nature+ Accelerator Fund
InnoEnergy — Investment Round for Energy Projects
InnoEnergy seeks businesses with innovative ideas and technologies in sustainable energy. InnoEnergy invests in European businesses (including Eastern Europe) and helps develop innovative products, services, and solutions that have high commercial potential. The investment round is open for application year-round. Find the criteria here
UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment — FoodTech Challenge
The FoodTech Challenge seeks technologies that are on the cusp of transforming food and traditional agriculture practices, efficiently and sustainably. The challenge targets early-stage start-ups, ranging from international university-based research teams to individual entrepreneurs and small firms. The total prize pool is valued at US$2 million. The regular submission deadline is 24 June, however, startups that would like to receive feedback on their submissions should apply by 20 May 2022. FoodTech Challenge