The U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations interested in protecting the freedoms of expression and association of environmental defenders in Africa. Proposed projects should seek to elevate local community and grassroots-based activists and improve their capacity to strategically and effectively use advocacy and litigation tools to achieve changes in policy and practices. Projects should seek to target up to three countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, with at least one focus country being Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania, or Nigeria. Total funding is up to US$1 million. The DRL welcomes applications from US-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations. Applications are due on 18 March 2022. Environmental Defenders in Africa
business/enterprise
Telecel Group — African Solutions for African Challenges
The ASIP Accelerator Program seeks African startups in sectors including AgriTech and CleanTech. The program is ideal for tech-oriented startups looking to scale through corporate and public sector partnerships. The program offers bootcamps and training events as well as benefits (Google Cloud Services, Hubspot, etc.) and €15 thousand in cash to each startup. Applications close 28 January 2022. ASIP Accelerator Program
AECF — Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund
AECF builds resilience and sustainable incomes for rural and marginalised communities in Africa. The Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF) is a competitive business challenge that will support established companies, social enterprises, and local entrepreneurs in implementing commercially viable and sustainable businesses in the Kakuma refugee camp and Turkana County (Kenya). The Fund provides grants ranging from US$100 thousand to US$750 thousand and technical assistance to micro and small enterprises. Project sectors include water, agribusiness and renewable energy, among others. The deadline for applications is 31 January 2022. Competitive Business Challenge
European Commission — Agro-Ecological Approaches in African Agriculture Systems
The European Commission (EC) accepts proposals for the agro-ecological approaches in African agriculture systems grant program. The implementation of agro-ecological approaches will alleviate the pressure that agri-food production places on natural ecosystems, contributing to resilience of agri-food systems and facilitating nature-based responses to current and future agri-food risks and threats. Proposals should build on existing and develop new knowledge, data, and models. Applicants must be established in EU Member States or low- and middle-income countries. The application deadline is 31 January 2022. Link
Village Capital — SME Accelerator
Village Capital seeks small and medium-sized enterprises and startups that are scaling market-based and contextualized solutions to critical climate adaptation and resilience challenges. Participants from Africa and Asia will have access to a one-week intensive virtual training program. Eligibility extends to companies developing or offering products and/or services (ideally technology-enabled) that increase the resilience of target users to the impacts of climate change. Applications close 31 January 2022. SME Accelerator
French Development Agency — Biodiversity Research Program
The French Development Agency (AFD) launches a call for expressions of interest for research on “Scaling up Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and large-scale ecological restoration: Towards changes in agricultural production, land-use and urban development models”. Each research project may request up to a maximum of €225 thousand in funding. Eligible project proponents are universities and research centers, NGOs, private foundations, international research centers and companies (including individual consultants) which will make their research public. The call is open until 04 February 2022. Biodiversity Research Program
Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund — Renewable Energy and Adaptation to Climate Technologies: Kenya
The REACT Sub-Saharan Africa Program makes grants to clean energy providers in Kenya to drive the expansion of access to clean energy across the country. The program supports renewable energy products or services, access to energy and electricity, cook stoves and fuel solutions, and mini-grids. The maximum award per company is US$500 thousand. The REACT awards are open to companies operating in Kenya. Applications must be submitted by 31 January 2022. More information
Bayer Crop Science — Remote Sensing for Smallholder Farms
Bayer Crop Science seeks satellite-based remote sensing technology providers to help make this technology accessible and affordable to smallholder farmers in Asia. The technology must support these farmers in making the cultivation of their fields more efficient and sustainable. The monetary value of the contract will vary depending on the project. Submissions to this challenge must be received by 07 February 2022. Link
Demeter — Pilots in the Agri-Food Sector
Demeter seeks to fund a small consortia of 2-3 partners for the deployment of new, high-value pilots in the agri-food sector. These pilots will focus on employing Demeter methodologies and technologies, addressing clear farmer needs, with particular focus on EU geographic regions. Demeter will provide up to €150 thousand equity-free funding per consortia available per successful project. The opportunity is open to consortia composed of two or three small to medium-sized enterprises, higher education establishments, research institutes and other non-profit research entities. The submission of proposals closes 16 February 2022. Know more
A2A Group — Carbon Capture
A2A seeks concept papers to explore CCUS technologies and the potential markets for CO2 products. This challenge is designed specifically for methods that offer solutions to capture and reuse CO2. A2A offers a total of US$20 thousand in award money. Submissions must be received by 17 February 2022. Carbon Capture Challenge