ENEA Access offers 50 to 60 days of professional consulting services on a pro-bono basis. The Energy Access Booster is open to entrepreneurs based in Sub-Saharan Africa or Asia. Activities that can be considered for ENEA’s support include feasibility studies, market and business models, implementation of pilot projects, and others. Selected entrepreneurs receive a financial contribution of up to US$ 50 thousand. Projects must clearly contribute to the reduction of poverty and/or climate change as a result of improved access to energy. There are no restrictions regarding the home country of the applying organization. The closing date is 13 December 2019. Click here
business/enterprise
Global LEAP Awards — Solar E-Waste Challenge
The Global LEAP Solar E-Waste Challenge seeks innovative approaches to e-waste management in the off-grid solar sector in Africa. Funding is available for recycling and e-waste management companies who work with solar lanterns, solar home systems (SHSs), and solar-powered appliances. Awards will range from US$50 thousand to US$300 thousand. The competition is open to solar companies, suppliers or technology service providers in Sub-Saharan Africa. The deadline for receipt of proposals is 15 December 2019. Link to the Solar E-Waste Challenge
Global LEAP Awards — Solar Water Pump Competition
The Global LEAP Solar Water Pump Competition will recognize energy efficient and affordable solar water pumps intended for smallholder farmers or individual household use that are appropriate for use with off-grid energy systems. No financial incentives are available for this round. However, winners and finalists will be featured in the 2019 Global LEAP Solar Water Pump Buyer’s Guide and be considered for investment by the Efficiency for Access Coalition Investor Network. The competition is open to companies in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The deadline for receipt of nominations is 18 January 2020. Link to the Solar Water Pump Competition
2SCALE — Digital Innovation for Climate Smart Agriculture
2SCALE invites entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs with digital innovations to apply to the innovation challenge to boost climate smart agriculture. Innovation should promote food and nutrition security, climate-smart (eco-efficient) agriculture, and the inclusion of women and youth. Furthermore, the innovation should primarily focus on smallholder farmers. Projects have to be implemented in Kenya, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, or Niger. The winners will receive scaling opportunities, technical support, and research support. The application has to be submitted by 15 November 2019. More
Karelia CBC — Cross-Border Cooperation
Karelia CBC is a cross-border cooperation program between the European Union and Russia. The current call for proposals invites environmental activities with focus on improving living environments, with special focus on waste management and preserving/improving biodiversity in Finland and Russia (see detailed regional specifications in the call for proposals). The overall amount made available under this call is €5 million. Each project should include an infrastructure investment component with minimum of €1 million. All projects must include at least one partner from Finland and one partner from Russia. Eligibility extends to nonprofit projects submitted by government agencies, organizations, universities, research institutes, and private companies. The deadline is 05 December 2019. About
United States Agency for International Development — Household Solar Workforce Development Africa
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the ResilientAfrica Network (RAN) invite applications for the Household Solar Workforce Development Challenge. Projects should focus on the development of off-grid solar home systems for households and businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa. The call is open to for-profit, nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and academic institutions with demonstrated capabilities and programs in energy workforce development. The selected organizations will receive awards ranging from US$100 thousand to US$350 thousand for project implementation over the course of one year. The closing date for applications is 15 December 2019. Find the challenge
World Bank Group — Supporting Women Micro-Entrepreneurs
The World Bank Group invites applications for the “Sustainable Development Goals and Her Competition.” SDGs & Her is an online competition for women micro-entrepreneurs to showcase how they are supporting the SDGs through their business operations. Winners will receive leadership training, mentoring and will be flown to Washington DC, for an event at the World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings (April 2020). The competition is open to women who own micro and small enterprises. The deadline for the competition is 10 January 2020. About the competition
German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety — International Climate Initiative (Country Specific Call: India)
Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) supports projects on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity projects that have climate relevance. Currently, IKI seeks to support programs in India. Thematic priorities are (1) Forest landscape restoration and piloting new models in forestry (including in urban areas); and (2) Storage technology for renewable energy. The IKI will support two bilateral programs with a funding volume of €15 million each, and a duration of five to seven years. Application is open to NGOs, business enterprises, universities, research institutes, and international and multinational organisations worldwide. Close cooperation with a relevant partner institution in India is a prerequisite. Proposals have to be submitted by 04 November 2019. Details
French Agency for Development — Digital Project for Sustainable Cities in Africa
The French Agency for Development (AFD) Digital Challenge seeks digital solutions for sustainable cities, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG). Solutions should focus on the basic needs of the urban population (e.g., access to water), foster local economic development (e.g., urban agri-food sector), or support the most vulnerable (e.g., alert systems in the context of an environmental disaster). The call is open to startups, associations, and research centers in Africa. The winner will receive €20 thousand. The deadline for application is 18 November 2019. More about the AFD Digital Challenge
British Council — Global Innovation Challenge
The British Council seeks creative digital ideas that has the potential to change the world and improve the lives of the world’s most disadvantaged people. Ideas have to focus on one of three Global Goals for Sustainable Development, including “Decent Work and Economic Growth” (which fits the category Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry). The winning pitch will get £20 thousand to invest in their idea and mentorship for a full year. The competition is open to anyone and everyone across the world. Applicants can choose to apply as an individual or an organisation. Applications have to be submitted by 10 January 2020. #IdeasChangeLives