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$25 thousand in funding to African-owned, sustainable social ventures. Venture must be based in and operate in Sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants have to demonstrate how the venture will improve and change the communities in which the grants are implemented. Applications are open until 21 September 2021. More info here
Sustainable Mekong Research Network — Rapid Response Grants
The Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET) seeks to reduce water insecurity for the poor, marginalized and socially vulnerable groups in the Mekong Region. SUMERNET will provide up to two grants to collaborative research projects that focus on water access; governance and management of water-related disaster risks; and transboundary interactions with water systems. The proposed project must cover the whole Mekong region or at least two countries in the study area. Funding support will not exceed US$ 45 thousand per research project to be completed within 6-12 months. The Lead Applicant must be a formal SUMERNET network member. Expressions of Interest have to be submitted by 20 September 2021. Rapid Response 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
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
Grinnell College — Grinnell Prize 2022
Grinnell College invites nominations for the 2022 Grinnell Prize. The Grinnell Prize of US$50 thousand will be awarded to individuals who show creativity, commitment, and extraordinary accomplishment in effecting positive social change. Past nominations have spanned a diversity of social issues related to agriculture and hunger relief, conservation and environment, and many other thematic areas. Nominees may be nationals of any country who have earned a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) between 2006 and 2022. Nominees must be nominated by a third party. The closing date for nominations is 31 October 2021. About the Grinnell Prize
ETH Zurich — Opportunity Grants
The Leading House ETH Zurich calls for proposals for opportunity grants with China, Japan, South Korea and ASEAN countries. Opportunity grants will support activities of Swiss researchers from universities or public research institutes linked to specific events, incidents, or major environmental and economic developments in the region in Asia. The call is open to all scientific disciplines and fields of research. Senior scientists may request up to CHF 50 thousand for projects of up to 12 months. The application deadline is 18 July 2021. Link
French Development Agency — Digital Project for Climate Protection and Biodiversity in Africa
The AFD Digital Challenge supports the development of innovative solutions that help solve challenges of the digital transition with those of climate protection and biodiversity, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG). Solutions should focus on reducing the digital footprint (e.g., reduced energy consumption or eco-construction), building a sustainable economy (e.g., environmental and climate practices or agro-ecology), or preserving natural resources (e.g., preventing natural disasters or preservation of ecosystems). The call is open to startups, associations, and research centers in Africa. The winner will receive €20 thousand. The deadline for application is 26 May 2021. More about the AFD Digital Challenge
Yunus&Youth — Fellowship Program for Social Entrepreneurs
The Yunus&Youth Fellowship Program is a six-month online program for young social entrepreneurs from all around the world. The program is designed for young early-stage social business leaders that have the potential to solve community-based problems with focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Participants will be matched with a mentor, participate in expert webinars with business professionals and receive help with business plan development. In the final stage of the program, fellows will present their social businesses to a team of real investors to shape their presentation skills and test their pitch decks. The deadline to submit applications is 20 June 2021. Learn about the Y&Y Fellowship Program
Stockholm Environment Institute — Strategic Collaborative Fund Asia
The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) supports regional environmental and sustainable development events in Asia. SEI welcomes concept notes for regional strategic events in Asia that focus on advancing environmentally sustainable development with integration of gender and social equality and rights-based approaches. Themes under the Strategic Collaborative Fund include: Addressing air pollution and climate change, agrobiodiversity, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and ecosystems. A total of SEK450 thousand will be awarded per grant. Projects should be based in South or Southeast Asia or address issues relevant to Asia. Eligibility extends to nonprofit organizations or networks. The deadline is 17 May 2021. Find out more