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
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
Afri-Plastics Challenge — Marine Plastic Waste
The Afri-Plastics Challenge seeks proposals that focus on solving the marine plastics problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Challenge aims to reduce marine plastics by developing and scaling innovative solutions to plastic mismanagement. Challenge prizes are competitions that offer a reward for the first or best solution to a problem. The process identifies the most promising and supports them with seed funding and expert support to develop the idea further. Applicants must be formally constituted and operating in Sub-Saharan Africa as either a registered business or non-governmental organization. The closing date for applications is 15 September 2021. About the Afri-Plastics Challenge
United States Agency for International Development — Resilience of Coastal Communities and Ecosystems
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) to co-create, co-design, co-invest, and collaborate to pilot new and innovative approaches that provide actionable solutions to improve the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in Mozambique. USAID envisions to fund solutions building sustainable food and fisheries systems, and building climate resilient, diversified, and economically viable livelihoods. Please note that the resources made available under this call will depend on the concepts received. Some award types may not include any funding. Eligibility extends to public, private, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations, as well as institutions of higher education, public international organizations, non-governmental organizations, U.S. and non-U.S. government organizations. The closing date for applications is 30 August 2021. Know more
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
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
Pangea — Blue Economy Accelerator
The Blue Economy Accelerator focuses on Blue economy startups from Africa. The program is designed to support women and youth-owned, ocean-based enterprises to sustain business growth through facilitating access to financing, business support, and technology adoption. The program will secure investment from a pre-selected pool of investors focusing on early stage funding of up to US$500 thousand. The application window will close on 29 August 2021. Blue Economy Accelerator
Atlantic Strategy Group — Atlantic Project Awards
The Atlantic Project Awards honor projects that showcase success stories and best practices for a more sustainable Atlantic ocean and Atlantic coastal communities. Projects may focus on blue economy, ocean literacy, marine renewable energy, ocean health and resilient coasts, as well as international Atlantic Ocean cooperation. Eligibility extends to professionals, entrepreneurs, organizations, research institutions, maritime clusters, associations and NGOs. Note that the Awards only showcase funded projects (in progress or completed). Project ideas are not eligible. The winner will be invited to the 7th Atlantic Stakeholder Conference (Ireland, October 2021). The deadline for applications is 07 September 2021. More