The Waislitz Global Citizen Award is an annual cash prize recognizing the excellence of one individual in their work to end extreme poverty. The program is open to applicants aged 18 and older from any country, provided they represent a legally registered entity, such as a non-profit organization, social enterprise, or for-profit business. Rather than funding future project proposals, the awards serve as cash prizes recognizing established proof of concept, scalability, and system-changing solutions. The program features three distinct cash prizes of US$100 thousand each: the Grand Prize, the Disruptor Award, and the Choice Award, totaling US$300 thousand in unconditional funding. The deadline for self-nominated applications is 14 June 2026. Waislitz Global Citizen Award
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GOT BAG — Care Collective Fund
GOT BAG offers the Care Collective Fund to support global ocean health and climate action initiatives. The grant program funds a diverse range of partners, including non-governmental organizations, foundations, grassroots initiatives, activists, academic research projects, and social enterprises. Eligible projects must fit a maximum duration of 12 months and align with one of the program’s three systemic pillars: plastic life cycle, maritime ecosystems, or community of care and climate resilience. While the program supports projects worldwide, it gives preference to locally led initiatives in the Global South and high-leakage regions like Southeast Asia and coastal Africa. Selected applicants receive a grant of €10,000 to implement their project. The deadline for applications is 05 July 2026. Care Collective Fund
Savvy — Fellowship for Early-Stage Entrepreneurs
The Savvy Fellowship is a 12-week online learning program for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs. Savvy seeks early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs from across Africa working on solving the most pressing problems through innovation. Fellows will receive support, mentorship, and access to a lifelong community in support of their innovative business ideas. Fellows have to be no older than 40 years. The Savvy Fellowship program is open year-round and accepts applications on a rolling basis. More
Social Shifters — Global Innovation Challenge
Social Shifters announces the Global Innovation Challenge to help young leaders and founders solve the social or environmental issues that matter to them. The challenge seeks creative ideas, projects, and business solutions to the problems that matter to local communities and welcomes ideas from anywhere in the world. Participants compete for awards of up to US$15 thousand to deliver activities that improve lives, help communities, and protect the planet. All ideas must be led by young people aged between 18-30 years old. The application deadline is 31 August 2026. Link to Social Shifters
IUCN — Community Solutions to Plastic Pollution in the Caribbean
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) invites proposals for the Sustainable Small Grants Programme to address plastic pollution in the Caribbean. The program supports community-driven projects in Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines that implement circular economy principles and improve local waste management systems. Non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and academic institutions are eligible to apply for funding. Each participating country is allocated up to €80 thousand, with individual grants ranging from €30 thousand to €80 thousand. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026. Know more
Association of Commonwealth Universities — Fellowships
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) provides fellowships for the academic and professional staff to facilitate collaboration at a distance and the creation of valuable new partnerships between ACU member universities across the Commonwealth. ACU provides financial support of up to £5,000 per fellowship. Applications close on 25 June 2026. ACU Fellowships
World Academy of Sciences — Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Award
The Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Prize recognizes woman scientists from least-developed countries with scientific achievements in clean and renewable energy; sustainable agriculture and agro-biodiversity; plastic pollution and microplastics, water purification and sanitation, climate change, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and other themes related to sustainability. The winner will receive a cash award of US$4 thousand. Candidates should be working and living in an LDC country for at least two years prior to nomination. The deadline for nominations is 30 June 2026. Innovation for Sustainability Award
Global Environmental Education Partnership — Youth Innovation Challenge 2026
The Youth Innovation Challenge (YIC) invites applicants from 15 to 30 years of age to propose innovative solutions to protect marine resources and support people of all ages to be engaged stewards for marine conservation. Global Environmental Education Partnership seeks solutions that are innovative, feasible, and informed by research. Three solutions will be awarded a US$1000 prize. The deadline to submit proposals is 31 May 2026. Find the challenge
Global Fund for Community Foundation — Community Support
The Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF) provides grants to support community foundations and other local grantmakers around the world. These grants are intended to strengthen local philanthropic institutions that shift power to communities and promote community-led development. Registered non-profit organizations and community foundations in low- and middle-income countries are eligible to apply. While grant amounts vary based on the specific funding cycle, they typically range from US$7 thousand to US$20 thousand for a one-year period. Eligible organizations are welcome to submit inquiries throughout the year. Details here
Fondation Yves Rocher — Photography Award, Environment and the Planet 2026
The Yves Rocher Foundation’s Photography Award is awarded to a professional photographer who wishes to make a journalistic study of issues relating to the environment, humanity’s relationship with the planet, or the core challenges to sustainability. Eligibility extends to professional photojournalists who can write and speak in French or English. The winner will receive an award of €8 thousand. The closing date for applications is 20 May 2026. Prix Photo