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
business/enterprise
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
European Commission — Removal of Marine Plastics and Litter
The European Commission seeks proposals for approaches or technologies to improve marine spatial planning and conservation (or restoration) of coastal ecosystems. This call focuses on the demonstration of technologies to clean the seafloor and the surface of nearshore waters from historically accumulated plastics and microplastics as well as from other accumulated marine litter. The Commission considers proposals of up to €6 million. International cooperations and legal entities established in EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories (full list in the call document) are eligible to apply. The deadline is 22 January 2020. Find the call
Earth Journalism Network — East Africa Wildlife Journalism Media Grants
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites environmental, conservation or science-based journalism organizations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to apply for grants to work with African journalists to improve and increase wildlife and conservation coverage in the media. The proposed activities should include capacity building; issuing travel/reporting grants to journalists; and media roundtables/workshops. The grant will cover activities over the course of one year for a maximum of US$10 thousand. The application deadline is 25 October 2019. Details
Earth Journalism Network — Bay of Bengal Media Grants 2020
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) makes grants to media organizations in the Bay of Bengal region, that aim to improve the quantity and quality of information about climate change. Particular attention should be given to the adaptation needs, challenges, efforts and success stories of vulnerable and marginalized communities. Preference will be given to applications from or affiliated with professional journalists, media organizations, journalism schools, and the like. However, EJN will also consider applications by NGOs or environmental groups looking to build the capacity of journalists to cover conservation issues. The average grant will be about US$20 thousand for one year. The application deadline is 31 October 2019. More info
Smogathon — Technology to Fight Air Pollution
Smogathon aims to fight air pollution through technology. Start-ups will compete for $15 thousand in cash and a contract to implement their innovation in Krakow, Poland. Smogathon welcomes participation from any group worldwide that works as a registered company, start-up, foundation, or research group with a legal entity. The finalists will compete in Krakow during the Global Clean Air Summit. The deadline for applications is 10 November 2019. Link
Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Small Scale Irrigation — Scaling Small-Scale Irrigation
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Small Scale Irrigation seeks private sector partners in the areas of irrigation technology supply, finance and value chain development to accelerate scaling of small-scale irrigation technologies in Ghana and Ethiopia. Proposed projects must benefit smallholders and be environmentally sustainable. The proposed budget should not exceed US$725 thousand. In order to be eligible, for-profit businesses and social enterprises must have a presence and experience in the region and/or country of interest. Application submissions are due on 23 November 2019. More