StartupXs invites applications for the 2024 ChangeMakers Seed Funding competition. The competition is open to startups and social enterprises who want to change their community with their innovative business idea. The winner will receive a US$1500 seed grant. Participation is open to any individual (18 and 35 years) or organization in any country. Priority is given to early-stage startups working on an innovative product or idea. The deadline for the submission is 31 December 2023. ChangeMakers Seed Funding
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UN Global Compact — Young SDG Innovators Program
The Young SDG Innovators Program is an accelerator program for future business leaders and changemakers to develop and drive innovative SDG solutions through new technologies, initiatives, and business models. Participants participate in online and in-person workshops, case studies, company visits and forum discussions. Companies based in Brazil, China, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, Ukraine, United Kingdom or the United States have the opportunity to collaborate with their Global Compact Local Networks to nominate young professionals for the program. The nomination deadline is 31 January 2024. Link to UN Global Compact
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Direct Assistance in Sustainable Forestry
The EU’s Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan includes grants of technical assistance to benefit government institutions and private-sector organizations. Projects need to address the identified themes in FLEGT. Currently, requests can be submitted from entities in VPA countries and non-VPA countries. The VPA countries are Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Guyana, and Honduras. Grants are up to US$50 thousand. Eligibility extends to government institutions and non-profit organizations. Applications (English, French, Spanish) can be submitted at any time. Find the guidelines for direct assistance
Chicago Zoo — Endangered Species Fund
The Chicago Zoological Society administers conservation grants funded by the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). The Fund’s priority is to support projects that assist directly in the protection of populations of threatened and endangered species; or that protect a specific habitat that is of high biological value or that is substantially threatened (IUCN Red List Status). Grants are up to US$7 thousand. The application deadline for concept notes is 01 November 2023. General directions
Global Thinkers Forum — Mentoring Program 2024
The Global Thinkers Forum brings together a diverse network of thought leaders to share their visions of the future, create meaningful conversations around them, and effect positive change in the world. The program consists of a 8-month mentoring cycle that includes one-on-one sessions between experienced thought leaders with individuals aged between 18-29 from all over the world. The program’s mentors are successful individuals across several professional fields and countries. The application deadline is 30 November 2023. Become a Global Thinkers Mentee
Swedish International Development Agency — Training Program: Locally Controlled Forest Restoration
The LoCoFoRest (Locally Controlled Forest Restoration) training program aims to build capacity in national, regional and local institutions and organizations in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. The program will give participants the skills and knowledge to support local communities and entrepreneurs to make forest and landscape restoration scalable. The training consists of a web-based preparatory course, three weeks training in Sweden and a project in the participants’ home countries. The application should be made by the individual applicant but needs to be endorsed by an employer. International travel, accommodation, food, costs for lectures and study tours are covered by the organizer. The application deadline is 18 December 2023. Link to LoCoFoRest
Erasmus Mundus Programme — Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management
The Master Degree Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management (MEDfOR) is a two-year international program in the field of Forestry and Sustainability. The MEDfOR Consortium includes seven European universities with expertise in Mediterranean forestry. The master course is open to EU and non-EU students. Scholarships to cover participation costs, travel costs and a monthly subsistence allowance will be offered by different funding agencies according to specific eligibility requirements. The program is open to candidates from all over the world, who have a bachelor degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental and Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Economics, Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry or similar areas. The closing date for applications is 01 March 2024. Details for the Academic Year 2024/2026
Rainforest Alliance — Kleinhans Fellowship for Research in Community Forestry
The Rainforest Alliance is interested in helping communities and small- and medium-sized enterprises to harvest and manufacture forest and non-timber forest products in a sustainable manner, and market these goods to responsible businesses and consumers. The Kleinhans Fellowship provides US$20 thousand over two years for research on this topic in Latin America, with preference for sites where the Rainforest Alliance currently supports community forestry. Applicants must have at least a master’s degree in forestry, ecology, botany, environmental science, or an appropriate related field. The next deadline for applications is 28 February 2025. Know more
Land Accelerator — Restoration of Degraded Forests and Farmland
The Land Accelerator is a four-month program for entrepreneurs who wish to learn how to restore degraded forests and farmland. The program offers courses in South Asia and Latin America. The accelerator is designed for companies that are in the testing phase of taking their product to market. Any business model that is recognized as restoring land is eligible, including, but not limited to smart agriculture, water conservation, agroforestry, tree planting, and beekeeping, forest conservation. The program currently accepts rolling applications. Click here
TED-Ed — Earth School
Earth School consists of 30 days of nature-focused content for learners of all ages. Each Quest includes videos and a quiz, combined with a series of engaging learning resources curated by environmental experts. Teachers and parents are invited to use these lessons and activities to keep their students and kids engaged and connected to the outside world. Lessons are free and accessible anytime. Link to Earth School