The United People Global (UPG) Sustainability Leadership training program offers young leaders from all over the world the opportunity to participate in an immersive 1-week experience on an island in the USA. UPG seeks young people (18-35 years) who want to take positive action that helps the world tackle a sustainability challenge to achieve any of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 500 young leaders will be selected to participate in an online program and receive a certification after successful completion of the online training. 60 participants will have the chance to attend the complimentary 1-week training in the USA (all costs of the program will be covered). Applications should be received by 31 December 2025 for the Class of 2026. UPG Sustainability Leadership
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Kellogg School of Management — Sustainable Investing Challenge
The Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge invites teams of graduate students from around the world to develop and pitch creative financial approaches and solutions to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges. Graduate students from around the world are invited to participate. The overall winning team receives US$10 thousand and the runner-up receives US$5 thousand. Teams must register in advance to request a mentor that gives them feedback on their proposal prior to submission. The deadline for submission of project ideas is 22 February 2026. Sustainable Investing Challenge
Trust for Sustainable Living — International Schools Essay Competition
Every year, the essay competition focuses on a different global sustainability challenge. This year’s theme is “Creating a Sustainability Culture.” Participating students are invited to create a piece of artwork, music, video, poem, essay, letter, or story. The Grand Prize trophy winner will receive a free international trip to a TSL Summit, including £1000 spending money. Schools have to register a Teacher Champion to participate in the competition. The deadline for essay entries is 01 March 2026. Details
Nigeria Energy Forum — Africa Energy Innovation Competition 2025
NEF invites applications for the Africa Energy Ideas Competition which aims to accelerate the development of early-stage energy firms across Africa. The competition is open to early-stage energy entrepreneurs from Africa to collaborate with local research institutions or industries. Young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 years from Africa are invited to participate and nominate a relevant local research institution or organization. Winners will pitch their proposed prototype model at the Nigeria Energy Forum and receive a cash prize of up to $10 thousand. The deadline for proposal submission is 15 September 2025. Click here
Embassy of the Czech Republic — Small-Scale Development Projects 2026
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Pretoria launches its annual call for proposals for Small Scale Development Projects. The call concerns all countries accredited to the Embassy: South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Lesotho, and Namibia. Projects and development activities providing materials or equipment, training, or capacity-building in the fields of sustainable management of natural resources, agriculture, and economic transformation (including renewable energy) are welcome. The Czech Republic will provide up to CZK 500 thousand per project. Non-profit organizations, educational institutions, or community groups are welcome to apply. The deadline for submission of the complete proposals is 15 September 2025. Details
AAUW — International Project Grants
AAUW’s International Project Grants provides support for women to lead community-based projects that advance gender equity for women and girls in their home country. (Note: Fields of study may include one or more categories of the Terra Viva Grants Directory as long as they focus on the advancement of women and girls’ rights.) Award amounts are up to US$ 15 thousand for one year. To be eligible for an International Fellowship, applicants must have citizenship in a country other than the U.S. and intend to return to her home country to pursue a professional career. The deadline for applications is 30 September 2025. International Project Grants
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development — Mountain Prize 2025
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) seeks nominations for the 2025 Mountain Prize. The Prize is awarded to an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding efforts enabling sustainable and resilient mountain development in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. The prize is currently set at US$ 2,500. Thematic areas include access to water for drinking or/and sanitation, food/nutrition security, climate change adaptation or/and disaster risk reduction, access to clean energy, ecosystems/biodiversity management, and two others. Women and youth are encouraged to apply. Nominations are accepted until 15 October 2025. Mountain Prize
Acumen Fund — India Fellows Program 2026
The Acumen Fund promotes the power of social innovation to create solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. The India Fellows Program is designed to equip local leaders with the tools, mindset, and community to tackle poverty and injustice in their communities. Past fellows have included several in smallholder agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, fair trade, and other areas. The fellowship is a mix of offline and online seminars, involving a time commitment of approximately 30 days in the year. The application deadline is 30 October 2025. India Fellows
U.S. National Science Foundation — International Research Experiences for U.S. University Students 2026
Through the program IRES, the National Science Foundation supports U.S. university students (graduate and undergraduate) to engage in international research. Past fellowships include several in developing countries in subject areas such as ecology, renewable energy, climate change, and others. Full proposals are due 26 October 2026. More information
Africa Fellowship for Young Energy Leaders — Applications
Africa Energy Fellowship for Young Energy Leaders (AFYEL) is a capacitation program for early-career energy leaders working on sustainable access to energy and ultimately a zero-carbon Africa. The fellowship includes expert training sessions to enable participants to get empowered and gain clarity to create solutions in the area. The program is open to The ambition of the Program is to recent graduates of Physics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Building / Construction Engineering, Physics, Economics, Mathematics, Accounting, Finance and Solar Energy. The application deadline is 04 September 2025. Details here