The WE Empower UN SDG Challenge is a global competition for women social entrepreneurs who are advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The challenge honors innovative women entrepreneurs, invests in the most inspiring and transformational ideas and ignites awareness. Awardees will participate in a dynamic pitch competition to present their business for the opportunity to receive a US$20 thousand grant. The competition is open to female entrepreneurs and business leaders from all around the world. The application deadline is 16 April 2023. WE Empower
social enterprise
Biomimicry Institute — Nature-Inspired Solutions for a Healthy Planet
The Biomimicry Institute seeks applications for the Ray of Hope Prize which celebrates nature-inspired solutions addressing the world’s biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. The challenge is open to innovative ideas from a variety of topics, such as agriculture, water, clean energy, biotechnology, and many more. Up to 10 startups will be selected as finalists to pitch their business idea for US$100 thousand in prize money which can be used to develop their ideas into market-ready products. The competition is open to entrepreneurs and inventors worldwide. The application deadline for the 2023 prize is 28 April 2023. Ray of Hope Prize
Halcyon — Support for Early-Stage Social Entrepreneurs
The Halcyon Incubator program equips early-stage social entrepreneurs from all around the world with support to transform their ideas into scalable and sustainable ventures. Ventures may be for-profit, hybrid, or undecided, as long as the core mission is to create measurable social change. (Note: This may include business ideas in agriculture, sustainable energy, or sustainable development.) Ventures structured as ‘non-profit’ will only be considered if they have a product or service they are selling. Partnerships (ventures co-founded and led by two individuals) are eligible. Applications are accepted until 28 April 2023. About the Halcyon Incubator
Halcyon — Food & Agtech in Africa
Halcyon supports African entrepreneurs with innovative solutions that can improve the livelihoods of farmers while increasing access to quality food for the most vulnerable. The Food & Agtech Fellowship will be delivered in a hybrid modality, with three virtual meetings, a one week in-person residency at Halcyon and a one week in-person residency in Nairobi. Participants receive US$5 thousand per venture equity-free stipend to use toward travel expenses to attend the residencies, a one week long residency at Halcyon’s facilities in Washington, DC (USA), and a one week long residency in Nairobi (Kenya). Applications are accepted until 29 April 2023. Food & Agtech Fellowship
Halcyon — Climate Resilience in Latin America
Halcyon supports entrepreneurs that seek to build climate resilience across Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the compounding effects of climate change on poverty, food insecurity, health disparities, and displacement. The Fellowship will be delivered in a hybrid modality, with three virtual meetings, a one week in-person residency at Halcyon and a one week in-person residency in Mexico City. Participants receive US$5 thousand per venture equity-free stipend to use toward travel expenses to attend the residencies, a one week long residency at Halcyon’s facilities in Washington, DC (USA), and a one week long residency in Mexico City (Mexico). Applications are accepted until 29 April 2023. Climate Resilience Fellowship
U. S. Department of Agriculture — Food for Progress Program
The Food for Progress Program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities to developing countries committed to expanding free enterprise in the agricultural sector. The objective is to improve agricultural productivity and to expand trade of agricultural products. The Program has prioritized the following areas: the Cacao sector, the Coffee sector, the Spices sector, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards, the Trade Facilitation Agreement, and Climate Smart Agriculture. The estimated funding per award is US$20-US$39 million. The following entities are eligible to apply: governments of emerging agricultural countries, nonprofit organizations, universities, and any other private entity. The closing date for applications is 24 May 2024. Food for Progress Program
Visegrad Fund — Western Balkans Grant Program
The International Visegrad Fund calls for grant projects that will facilitate the transfer of know-how between non-governmental and civil society organizations in Visegrad countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary) and the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia). Thematic areas include environment and sustainable development, among others. The program is open to any legal entity or natural person worldwide, with preference for projects submitted by non-profit and non-governmental organizations; public educational, cultural, and research institutions; and municipalities and local governments. Proposals are accepted three times. The remaining deadlines for 2023 are 01 June and 01 October. Visegrad+ Grants
Lacuna Fund — Datasets on Climate and Forests
The Lacuna Fund seeks proposals from organizations interested in developing datasets that will help to better understand the relationship between Climate & Forests and generate interventions that could mitigate the impacts of climate change. Lacuna anticipates supporting up to 6 smaller projects with budgets between US$50-100 thousand and up to 3 larger projects with budgets ranging from US$200-300 thousand. To be eligible for funding, organizations must be either a non-profit entity, research institution or for-profit social enterprise. The deadline to apply is 01 June 2023. Climate and Forests
Anonymous Hope Fund — Funding for Better Lives
The Anonymous Hope Fund provides people in third and second world countries with funding to live better and more successful lives. The Fund makes grants in six areas: Business; Agriculture; Humanitarian assistance; Education Development; Civil Society Organizations; and Financial assistance for individuals. Personal grants range from US$100 to US$3,000. Organizational grants range from US$50 thousand to US$300 thousand. Currently, financial assistance is limited to certain countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. Grants are served on a first come first served basis but not limited to availability. Details
Because International — Accelerator for Entrepreneurs
Because International accepts applications for the Because Accelerator, a free online program for early-to-middle stage entrepreneurs who want to take their socially innovative product to the next level. Participants will go through a 16-week training program, weekly one-on-one coaching, networking, and at the end of the cohort. There will be an opportunity to compete in a pitch event for a cash prize, long-term coaching support, funding opportunities, and exposure to international markets. Entrepreneurs from around the world are invited to apply by 17 March 2023. Link to the Because Accelerator