The U.S. Agency for International Development, the UK Department for International Development, and Grand Challenges Canada seek proposals for the “Creating Hope in Conflict: A Humanitarian Grand Challenge”. Thematic areas that fall in the scope of the Terra Viva Grants Directory include drinking water, sanitation, and energy, among others. Projects should focus on life-saving or life-improving innovations to help the most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach people impacted by humanitarian crises caused by conflict. About 10 to 15 selected projects will receive seed funding of C$250 thousand over a maximum of 24 months to support the validation and testing of new approaches. Few selected projects (about 2 to 4) will receive transition-to-scale funding of up to C$1 million with technical support to support the implementation of innovative solutions that have already achieved proof of concept. Eligible applicants include social enterprises and other recognized institutions (e.g., non-profit organizations and for-profit companies) from all around the world. Interested applicants should create an account no later than 09 April and applications are due on 12 April 2018. The Humanitarian Grand Challenge
business/enterprise
Innovation Grant Facility — Opportunity for Pacific Agro-SMEs
The Innovation Grant Facility (IGF) provides funding to agro-based small & medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in seven Pacific Island States; Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. Projects should focus on “Leveraging the Development of Local Food Crops and Fisheries Value Chains for Improved Nutrition and Sustainable Food Systems in the Pacific Islands” and be executed by SMEs that aim to grow their business and contribute, directly or indirectly, to the sustainable development of the agriculture and fishery sectors. The maximum amount per grant award is €17 thousand. The call for applications will close on 25 April 2018. Find details
African Union Commission — Food, Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture
The African Union Commission calls for research proposals that contribute to the sustainable development of African countries and the fight against poverty under Phase II of the African Union Research Grants programme. The call supports research on: Food, Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture. Selected research projects receive between US$ 500 thousand and US$ 1 million. Eligibility extends to legal entities such as organizations, research institutions, universities, and government ministries from African Union Member States or EU Member States. The deadline for submission of proposals is 22 May 2018. Know more
Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors — Cities for our Future Challenge 2018
The Cities for our Future Challenge is a global competition run by the Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in partnership with UNESCO and the ACU. Young professional, start-ups and students involved in surveying, urban design, architecture, or engineering are invited to submit innovative ideas for projects and policies that solve issues in the topics of Rapid Urbanisation, Climate Change, and Resource Scarcity. The winner will receive €50 thousand and mentoring to develop a prototype. Ideas have to be submitted by 31 May 2018. Participate!
SEED — SAG-Seed Replicator Workshops for Eco-Enterprises in Ghana
SEED is a global partnership founded by UNEP, UNDP, and IUCN to promote eco-enterprises. The program announces its next replicator workshop in Ghana. The replicator workshop of one day introduce motivated individuals to proven business models from various countries. Participants will learn how to adapt them to your individual local context to solve environmental, social and economic challenges. Focus areas are waste management and sustainable tourism. Future entrepreneurs, business owners and NGOs are welcome to apply. The participation in the workshop is free of charge, participants must cover their own transport costs however. The application deadline is 04 March 2018. About the workshop
UK Department for International Development — Research on Economic Growth in Developing Countries (Phase 3)
The IGC invites proposals with focus on delivering research and policy products to developing countries with the aim of creating jobs and reduce poverty. The topics include improving access to and quality of energy services for households and firms; rural electrification; energy efficiency; and the effects of energy consumption on health and the environment. Applications are open worldwide, although IGC’s particular countries of interest are Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Liberia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The application deadline is 05 March 2018. More
BMCE Bank of Africa — African Entrepreneurship Award 2018
The African Entrepreneurship Award is a business competition inviting young African entrepreneurs to submit their entrepreneurial ideas in two categories, one of which is “Innovation” for projects and business ideas that aim to solve pressing issues in Africa. This refers to business proposals that innovate to create jobs and improve lives addressing problems in areas such as food security, water access, sustainable energy, deforestation,and others. Submissions are invited from for-profit businesses managed by Africans who are at least 18 years old. The competition winners will share US$1 million. The closing date is 30 April 2018. About the African Entrepreneurship Award
Bestseller Foundation — Enterprises in Agriculture and Environment
The Bestseller Foundation provides financial support for sustainable agriculture, sustainable jobs and entrepreneurship, and environment and nature conservation in China, Africa and India. The foundation invests mainly with commercial actors in for-profit projects by means of loans and equity. Nonprofit organizations and projects may sometimes be eligible if they have clear and commercially viable objectives. In some cases, the Foundation may consider grants or donations. Potential partners in the eligible regions contact the Foundation by telephone or email, and present a short concept note. Find details
Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation — Demonstration Environment Projects
The Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation (Sida) seeks applications for its Demonstration Grants program. Proposed projects should be international technology and knowledge exchanges involving new and sustainable solutions which positively and measurably impact the environment and poverty reduction. The programme’s focus areas are climate change adaptation/mitigation; ecosystem services; renewable energy; water and sanitation; and urban development. Eligibility extends to companies or organisations based in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Grants range from SEK 500 thousand to SEK 1.8 million. Applications will be reviewed in two steps. In the first step, applicants submit concept notes. In the second step, applicants whose project ideas have been reviewed and accepted in the first step will be invited to submit a full application. Concept notes have to be submitted no later than 14 February 2018. Know more
Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation — Planning Grants
The Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation (Sida) seeks applications for its Planning Grants program. Grants are awarded to help entrepreneurs explore new markets and research their technology’s impact on the environment and poverty reduction. The programme’s emphasis is on cleantech products, systems, processes, and services in the following focus areas: climate change adaptation/mitigation; ecosystem services; renewable energy; water and sanitation; and urban development. Eligibility extends to companies or organisations based in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The maximum amount per projects is SEK350 thousand. The call for applications is open until 04 March 2018 with the possibility to send in a concept note and receive feedback before 14 February. Know more