Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs (RISE) is a project for the youth, willing to learn and change things for the betterment of the Western Balkans. RISE invites ideas or innovative solutions for a new and better way to approach education, women empowerment, culture, rural development, health or employment in regional communities. The program will support regional changemakers through tailor-made programs, mentorship, and training. Young people from 18 to 35 years old from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are eligible. Please note that Local Incubators may have different deadlines. Applications close on 30 September 2023. Link to RISE
social enterprise
SEED — Replicator Workshop for Eco-Enterprises
The SEED Replicator program offers incubation workshops to identify opportunities for enterprise creation and to guide aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners looking for partnerships to build an eco-inclusive business model. Successful alumni can apply for a SEED Grant which pays for your immediate necessary activities, measures or machinery required to establish the new enterprise. SEED Replicator Program currently invites applications from entrepreneurs in Thailand. Participation is free, although participants need to cover their transportation costs and accommodation. The application deadline is 13 October 2023. Click here to join
F. M. Kirby Foundation — Social Impact Prize
F. M. Kirby Impact Prize is an annual global prize of US$150 thousand that amplifies and accelerates the work of enterprises working to scale their impact on social or environmental problems around the world. Applicants must have strong evidence of impact over at least 3 years and a plan for how to use the prize to scale that impact in the next 3-5 years. The prize is open to nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid organizations working anywhere in the world. The deadline for applications is 08 January 2024. Know more
Efico Foundation — Support for Coffee Producers
EFICO Foundation supports coffee farmers and their families through training and education programs, sustainable income increase, resilience for climate change, infrastructure support, and natural resource protection. About every 3 years, the Foundation organizes a project initiation round and funds projects that aim to improve the living conditions of coffee producers and their communities. Preference is given to projects having a clear strategy to become self-sustaining and creating a leverage effect. Applicants receive a full application form after contact. Efico Foundation
World Food Programme — Innovation Challenge
The Digital Green Innovation Acceleration Program (DGIx) seeks high-impact digital ventures and projects solving some of the most pressing environmental challenges in Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Togo. Selected ventures, solution providers and consortiums will receive a six-month acceleration program with access to up to US$230 thousand in equity-free funding, coaching, and mentorship support. Eligibility extends to for-profit, not-for-profit, social enterprise. Applications can be submitted until 24 September 2023. Link to DGIx
D-Prize — Funding Entrepreneurs to Alleviate Poverty
The D-Prize funds pilot projects that more widely distribute relatively low-cost products and services in the fight against poverty. The current challenges include social enterprises for innovations in specified themes of agriculture; energy; WASH; and several other categories. The D-Prize will award 30 teams with up to US$20 thousand each to launch nonprofits or social ventures that can distribute proven poverty interventions to people in need. Eligibility to compete extends to entrepreneurs anywhere in the world, and of any age or background. The D-Prize invites concept notes before 16 October 2023 (early deadline); 05 November 2023 (regular deadline); or 26 November 2023 (limited extension). Link to D-Prize
University of Pennsylvania — Workshop for Social Entrepreneurs
The Global Social Impact House (GSIH) is a seven-day residential program in Costa Rica (June 2024) that provides social entrepreneurs with training they need to advance their ventures. Workshops are customized to the needs of fellows. The Center for Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania will provide scholarships, which include accommodation and food. However, fellows are responsible for covering travel and visa-related expenses. The application deadline is 20 February 2024. Global Social Impact House
SEED — Replicator Workshop for Eco-Enterprises
The SEED Replicator program offers incubation workshops to identify opportunities for enterprise creation and to guide aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners looking for partnerships to build an eco-inclusive business model. Successful alumni can apply for a SEED Grant which pays for your immediate necessary activities, measures or machinery required to establish the new enterprise. SEED Replicator Program currently invites applications from entrepreneurs in South Africa. Participation is free, although participants need to cover their transportation costs and accommodation. The application deadline is 11 September 2023. SEED Replicator South Africa
TotalEnergies — Sustainability Innovation Challenge
The OCBC Sustainability Innovation Challenge aims to create value and positive changes to promote a sustainable energy transition. The Challenge welcomes startups that possess solutions that can be adapted to address one or more challenge statements. OCBC offers a prize pool of SGD150 thousand and winning teams stand a chance to pilot their solutions with TotalEnergies. Participants can be located anywhere in the world but must have an interest in developing and implementing your solutions with organizations in Southeast Asia after the Challenge. Applications have to be submitted by 15 September 2023. Know more
Water and Energy for Food — Regional Innovations MENA
Water and Energy for Food (WE4F) seeks business owners and entrepreneurs in the Middle East and Northern Africa region who have innovative water-food, energy-food, and water-energy-food solutions. Individual awards for innovators are expected to range from US$25 thousand to US$250 thousand, depending on the type of funding requested. The call is open to mid- to late-stage enterprises, nonprofits with a for-profit program, and other organizations based in the Middle East and North Africa. Participants will receive tailored support to help scale and grow their businesses. The submission deadline is 31 December 2023. WE4F MENA