The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) invites Expressions of Interest for the Agritech Challenge 2021 to co-create or adapt solutions for smallholders farmers. Solutions must focus on key challenges of small farmers in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia in Africa and India, Indonesia, Malaysia in Asia. The program invites applications from start-ups with solutions that are addressing low productivity, climate risk, or inefficient supply chain challenges and are interested to pilot their solution in one of the seven participating countries. Applicants must submit a complete application form before 30 August 2021. UNCDF Agritech Challenge
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Green People’s Energy for Africa — Energy Access Challenges
The Green People’s Energy for Africa (GBE) seeks concrete solutions to address two specific challenges in the energy access sphere: Increasing Off-Grid System Sustainability and Reducing CO2 Emissions via Energy Access. The Challenge prioritizes solutions from within the nine focal countries: Ethiopia, Benin, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia. However, applications from other Sub-Saharan countries are also welcome. Applicants must be either non-profit organizations or local for-profit organizations in the country of implementation. GBE can cover up to 80% of the total project costs and must be lower than €125 thousand. The deadline for submissions of proposals is 31 August 2021. Details
Afri-Plastics Challenge — Marine Plastic Waste
The Afri-Plastics Challenge seeks proposals that focus on solving the marine plastics problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Challenge aims to reduce marine plastics by developing and scaling innovative solutions to plastic mismanagement. Challenge prizes are competitions that offer a reward for the first or best solution to a problem. The process identifies the most promising and supports them with seed funding and expert support to develop the idea further. Applicants must be formally constituted and operating in Sub-Saharan Africa as either a registered business or non-governmental organization. The closing date for applications is 15 September 2021. About the Afri-Plastics Challenge
European Commission — Climate Research Infrastructures
European Commission seeks applications to strengthen the Bilateral Cooperation on Research Infrastructures with Africa to improve the knowledge base on climate change in Africa. Proposed projects are expected to contribute to enhanced research capacities in Africa for climate change observation. Grant amounts are equal to or greater than €500 thousand. Any legal entity is eligible to participate. The application deadline is 23 September 2021. Find details
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Agrobiodiversity Innovation Challenge
The Agrobiodiversity Innovation Challenge seeks new products, services, and best practices that can help farmers, consumers, and food companies to increase production while conserving agrobiodiversity. Two selected winners will receive US$5 thousand, mentorship and technical assistance. Applicants must be individuals, private companies, or institutions responsible for an innovation with a demonstrated efficiency to enhance and promote sustainable food and agriculture. The submission deadline is 30 September 2021. More information
U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan — Media Program for Renewable Energy
The U.S. Mission in Kazakhstan seeks applications to improve the media coverage on renewable energy issues in Kazakhstan. The project should be designed to provide in-depth training on renewable energy to at least 50 journalists from different regions of Kazakhstan, who in turn will be required to produce at least four articles on the theme of green energy or climate change. The applicant should provide online media training classes, covering the topics of renewable energy, global and local efforts in preventing climate change. USAID will provide up to US$46 thousand in funding for project implementation. Eligibility extends to non-profit and for-profit organizations registered in Kazakhstan, as well as civil society organizations registered in the United States. The closing date for applications is 27 August 2021. Link
United States Agency for International Development — Resilience of Coastal Communities and Ecosystems
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) to co-create, co-design, co-invest, and collaborate to pilot new and innovative approaches that provide actionable solutions to improve the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in Mozambique. USAID envisions to fund solutions building sustainable food and fisheries systems, and building climate resilient, diversified, and economically viable livelihoods. Please note that the resources made available under this call will depend on the concepts received. Some award types may not include any funding. Eligibility extends to public, private, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations, as well as institutions of higher education, public international organizations, non-governmental organizations, U.S. and non-U.S. government organizations. The closing date for applications is 30 August 2021. Know more
SVG Ventures — THRIVE LATAM Challenge
Silicon Valley Global Ventures is an investment, technology and advisory firm that invests in companies that go through their accelerator program. The THRIVE LATAM Challenge seeks innovative solutions specifically designed for the Latin American agrifood industry. SVG Ventures will select the best startups and scale-ups for investment. The winner will participate in the Silicon Valley Startup Bootcamp and have the opportunity to pitch their idea in front of global investors. The challenge is open to agri food companies in Latin America. The application deadline is 02 December 2021. Link to THRIVE LATAM
Unleash — Incubation Program for Entrepreneurs
UNLEASH Plus is a global 6-month incubation program for entrepreneurs working on social or environmental challenges, in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The program provides teams with the right skills, mindsets, and resources to test and launch their solutions, and design them for large-scale impact. Teams will explore real-life challenges within the SDG themes, before defining specific problems and coming up with solutions. The top teams will present their solutions to investors and experts. The program is open to all youth entrepreneurs looking to advance solutions that address the SDGs. The application deadline is 25 July 2021. UNLEASH Plus
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Digital Advisory Services
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) seeks international organizations to receive a three-year IFAD grant financing to implement the project: Digital Advisory Services to Support Accelerated Rural Transformation for a total amount of up to US$2 million. Goal is the sustainable integration of proven ICT4D solutions that can improve the economic and social conditions of the rural poor, including women and youth. Deadline to receive proposals is 13 August 2021. However, interested institutions are requested to confirm their intention to submit a proposal by 28 July 2021. Find the call