Social Shifters announces the Global Innovation Challenge to help young leaders and founders solve the social or environmental issues that matter to them. The challenge seeks creative ideas, projects, and business solutions to the problems that matter to local communities and welcomes ideas from anywhere in the world. Participants compete for awards of up to US$10 thousand to deliver activities that improve lives, help communities, and protect the planet. All ideas must be led by young people aged between 18-30 years old. The application deadline is 12 December 2025. Link to Social Shifters
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Earth Journalism Network — Virtual Media Workshop: Climate Change in Indonesia
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) hosts a five-day virtual workshop for journalists in Indonesia reporting on business, industry, energy and the environment. Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) from all types of organizations across Indonesia. Participants who attend all sessions will receive a certificate of completion from EJN and will also be eligible to apply for a story grant following the workshop. The application deadline is 15 December 2025. Link to workshop details
United Nations — Local Pathways Fellowship
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth Initiative (SDSN Youth) recruits participants for its 2026 cohort of the Local Pathways Fellows. The 10-months fellowship program provides young leaders with a platform, capacity building, training opportunities and contacts of leading development experts and practitioners. The Local Pathways Fellowship is unpaid. Fellows will benefit from global visibility and exposure. Young candidates (18-30 years) working towards achieving any of the Sustainable Development Goals and representing any city or country in the world are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted until 21 December 2025. Link to Local Pathways
Mangrove Breakthrough — Mangrove Conservation and Restoration
Mangrove Breakthrough seeks projects worldwide that protect, restore or support mangrove ecosystems. Eligible proposals include mangrove restoration or conservation; blue-carbon finance; biodiversity or climate-linked crediting mechanisms; community-based livelihood or stewardship initiatives; nature-tech or monitoring tools for mangrove health; and sustainable businesses tied to mangrove landscapes (e.g. fisheries, coastal agriculture, eco-tourism). Successful submissions gain visibility, exposure at global climate events, and access to investors or funders. The deadline to submit the Expression of Interest is 30 December 2025. Link to more details
Yale University — Young Global Scholars Program
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) offers two-week academic summer programs for high school students from all around the world. The program offers four interdisciplinary sessions on campus at Yale (USA), including sessions on Innovations in Science & Technology and Solving Global Challenges. YYGS offers the opportunity for students to apply for need-based financial aid. Furthermore, YYGS will waive the application fee if it constitutes a significant financial burden for the student’s family. The application deadline is 07 January 2026. About Yale Young Global Scholars
Association of Commonwealth Universities — Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) supports the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships for citizens of developing Commonwealth countries. The scholarships fund cultural and academic exchanges and are awarded across many subjects, including climate resilience and life sciences. Eligibility extends to citizens of (or with refugee status in) a Commonwealth country other than the country hosting the award. Scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses (stipend) for the duration of the award, return economy flight, one-off arrival allowance, and research support grant (on request). The application deadline is 14 January 2026. Find the available scholarships
Latin America Regional Fund for Agricultural Technologies — Call for Proposals 2026
The Latin America Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology – Fondo Regional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (FONTAGRO) – calls for innovations for the sustainable increase of agricultural productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean in the context of climate change. FONTAGRO member countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Proposals are accepted from multi-country consortia of public and private organizations at national, regional, and international levels. Grants are up to US$200 thousand for projects of up to 36 months. Projects will require counterpart contributions. The closing date for preliminary applications (Spanish) is 30 March 2026. Convocatoria 2026
IUCN — European Rapid-Response Fund for Invasive Alien Species
The IUCN Save Our Species (SOS) invites applications to the European Invasive Alien Species Rapid‑Response Fund. The fund offers quick-release grants ranging from €10 thousand to €50 thousand for projects up to 12 months, to help conservation actors swiftly respond to recent incursions of invasive alien species in Europe before they become established. The fund supports organisations operating within the EU (including the Canary Islands, the Azores and Madeira). The call remains open until 10 February 2027. More information
Accountability Lab East and Southern Africa — Climate Justice Incubator
Accountability Lab East and Southern Africa (ALESA) launches a 12-month Climate Justice Incubator (CJI). The CJI is for young civic leaders aged 18–30 from Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, focusing on climate-justice innovation, community resilience, storytelling/advocacy, policy change or intersectional climate action. Applicants receive mentorship, training and hands-on support to develop their ideas into impact projects and join a network of “Climatepreneurs”. The deadline is 28 November 2025. Details here
Rockefeller Foundation — Fellowship for a Better Future
The Rockefeller Foundation supports African leaders who are creating bold, systemic solutions to critical challenges across the continent. Projects can range from social innovation and policy work to tech-driven and community-based efforts. Key focus areas include renewable energy access, resilient health systems, transformed food systems, and regional economic integration. The pre-application deadline is 01 December 2025. Big Bets Fellowship