The CIVICUS Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Awards shed a light on the importance of people power and civil society activism in creating a more just, inclusive and sustainable world. The Awards will recognize seven individuals, groups or organizations that stand out for their innovative work building people power in support of human rights and social justice for everyone. Each winning initiative will receive a US$5 thousand prize. The Awards are open to any individual, organization or group in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Pacific. Deadline to submit the online application form is 20 September 2021. Innovation Awards
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U.S. African Development Foundation — Mandela Washington Fellows Program
The Mandela Washington Fellows Program provides up to US$25 thousand in funding to African-owned, sustainable social ventures. Venture must be based in and operate in Sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants have to demonstrate how the venture will improve and change the communities in which the grants are implemented. Applications are open until 21 September 2021. More info here
International Support Network for African Development — Environmental Education Program
The International Support Network for African Development (ISNAD-Africa) seeks to implement the Environmental Education Program (EEP) to identify environmental challenges in Africa and motivate youth to develop solutions to the identified problems and needs through critical thinking and the application of previously acquired knowledge from subjects in secondary school. The program seeks to provide youth with action competencies that will enable them to develop capacity and long-term commitment to sustainability for everyday life, career engagement or voluntary service as environmentalists or influencers. Each secondary school will be represented by a team of at least five (5) students and a coordinating teacher. ISNAD-Africa will provide technical support, monthly/quarterly meetings, as well as share possible opportunities with the clubs. Up to US$500 funding for the implementation of your project idea for all selected teams. Deadline for applications is 15 October 2021. Details here
Tropical Forest Alliance — Tropical Forest Commodities Challenge
The Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) and UpLink launch the Tropical Forest Commodities Challenge, calling for solutions for systemic change in commodity supply chains that rely on deforestation free practices. Solutions should deliver benefits to the global environment, while also ensuring sustainable livelihoods. Submissions may either be existing solutions with tracked success, or new entrepreneurial ideas. The best 10-20 submissions will be invited to a 4-month cohort program by Tropical Forest Alliance as part of the World Economic Forum. Submissions are being accepted until 27 August 2021. Tropical Forest Commodities Challenge
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Protecting Biodiversity of the East Melanesian Islands
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites applications for small grants (up to US$20 thousand) in support of biodiversity conservation in the East Melanesian Islands. Eligibility for funding extends to community groups and associations, NGOs, private enterprises, universities, research institutes, and other civil society organizations. CEPF posts the ecosystem profile and useful information for applicants in the announcement. The deadline for submissions of proposals is 10 September 2021. Link to Small Grants
Wallace Global Fund — Environmental Policy and Governance
The Fund supports advocacy campaigns, awareness raising, and citizen engagement in environmental policy and governance. It aims to strengthen environmental law and justice; to build grassroots coalitions; and to support media that take progressive positions on social and environmental issues. Grants are to nonprofit charitable organizations in the USA and internationally. The application process begins with an online letter of inquiry. Link
French Institute of Tunisia — Youth & Environment
The French Institute of Tunisia launches the Youth & Environment program which is intended for local Tunisian associations proposing a concrete and realistic project on the theme of environmental protection. Projects committed to the protection of coastal and maritime areas are eligible. The program will select 18 projects to be implemented over a 2 year period. The winning projects must be carried by young people from 18 to 25 years old. The funding per project averages 30 thousand to 50 thousand dinars. The deadline for applications is 02 September 2021. Details
Natural History Book Store — Gratis Books in Ecology and Conservation
The Natural History Book Store supports science and conservation by supplying wildlife and environment books and equipment. In its Gratis Books Scheme, NHBS collaborates with other UK-based organizations to donate books on ecology and conservation to worthy recipients in the developing world. Individuals may request a book for themselves or suggest it for others. All applications will be considered together, and the available copies will be awarded to those considered most able to benefit from them. Find available books
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
Wild Animal Initiative — Welfare of Juvenile Wild Animals
Wild Animal Initiative provides grants for research projects that help us understand and improve the lives of wild animals. Grant size varies from US$25 thousand to US$250 thousand. Currently, the Initiative solicits proposals for research on the welfare, ecology, and everyday experiences of juvenile wild animals. Relevant projects might include studies that extend captive animal welfare assessment techniques to juvenile wild animals, or those that demonstrate how ecological concepts can relate to wild animal health and wellbeing. Wild Animal Initiative prioritizes work on the most numerous wild animals, such as rodents, fish, and even invertebrates. This call is open to anyone. Expressions of Interest have to be submitted by 29 August 2021. Wild Animal Initiative