coLABS seeks scalable social enterprises that have the potential to dramatically improve the lives of women and girls around the world. coLABS strategically funds entrepreneurs and early-stage ventures that leverage women, and their critical role in the community through revenue-share investment capital. Seed investment ranges from US$100 thousand to US$250 thousand. Focus regions are South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Pre-screen forms can be submitted on a rolling basis. Details
social enterprise
Earth Company — Impact Hero 2025
Each year, Earth Company selects one Impact Hero that has the potential to transform the future of developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Impact Heroes are visionary leaders who tackle some of the most pressing social and environmental challenges and make transformative changes to the communities they serve. Earth Company provides 3 years of support through leadership coaching, fundraising, marketing, and business development. Eligibility extends to everybody and all forms of organizations. Applications have to be received no later than 31 August 2024. Find details here
Irish Aid — SDG Challenge 2024
The SDG Challenge invites research teams to develop innovative solutions that contribute to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”. Eligible partner countries are Cambodia; Laos; Palestine; Vietnam; ODA-eligible countries on the African continent; and ODA-eligible Small Island Developing States. Teams will receive up to €250 thousand to develop their idea. Workshop Support Grants of up to €5.000 are available to potential applicants to facilitate team formation and seed idea generation before applying. The application deadline is 08 October 2024. SDG Challenge
Watson Institute — Western Union Foundation Fellowship
The Western Union Foundation Fellowship is for young entrepreneurs and community leaders who are from highly marginalized, refugee, and forcibly displaced communities around the globe. The 16-week-long program is designed to equip entrepreneurs with the skills and experience to transform their communities. US$25 thousand in seed funding will be distributed among the Fellows. The Watson Institute accepts applicants from the following countries: Mexico, Kenya, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, and Afghanistan. Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis until 08 July 2024. Western Union Foundation Fellowship
Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation — Development Grants for Africa
The Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation seeks applications for the Changemakers Innovation Challenge. The challenge is open to non-profits and social enterprises across Africa who are using technological/digital tools to create innovative social solutions. Focus areas include health, environment, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Proposed projects must have a maximum life cycle of 12 months and benefit African communities. The challenge is open to non-profits and social enterprises across Africa. The application deadline is 15 July 2024. Changemakers
Connecting Dreams Foundation — Global Changemaker Fellowship
The Connecting Dreams Foundation accepts proposals for the Global Changemaker Fellowship. The Fellowship is a 6-month virtual program intended to develop Social Change Leaders who are focused on handling challenges in their local communities. Fellows participate in workshops and receive training and mentorship while implementing their local initiative. The program is intended for young leaders (aged 20-35) with an entrepreneurial mindset and approach towards solving community-centric challenges. Students in school, college, university, and working professionals working on an initiative to create a social change along the lines of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are invited to apply. The application deadline is 15 July 2024. Changemaker Fellowship
Soest Third World Group Foundation — Small-Scale Development Projects
The Soest Foundation, based in the Netherlands, supports small-scale development projects for water, agriculture, aquaculture, and other needs of the very poor. The average contribution to a project is about €2,500 to €3,000. Project assistance is provided for up to three years. Many recent grants are in Sub-Saharan Africa and India, but there are no geographical restrictions. Applications can be made in English or French. How to apply
Enabel — Prize for Women Entrepreneurs
The Awa Prize highlights women entrepreneurs from Belgian development cooperation countries and their projects. The prize aims to promote women entrepreneurs in their local community and strengthen them in their entrepreneurial success. The winner receives €50 thousand in support of their enterprise and one week in Belgium. Participating countries for the 2024 edition: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, DRC, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Palestine, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda. The competition is open to any woman founder or majority/equal partner in a company based in one of the selected countries. Registrations close on 28 June 2024. Details here
TotalEnergies — Support for Young African Entrepreneurs
The Startupper Challenge by TotalEnergies supports young African entrepreneurs to innovate and bring their projects to reality in their country of application. Winners will receive financial support to develop their startup or business idea. Business owners of startups under 3 years old with a positive impact on their communities or the planet can participate. The challenge is open to young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35. The application deadline is 18 June 2024. Startupper Challenge
Hello Tomorrow — Global Startup Challenge
The Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge seeks startups from all around the world that use advanced technology to answer societal or industrial challenges. The challenge includes one category for startups that focus on energy, food, agriculture & environment, among 10 others. The grand prize is €100 thousand for the best early-stage startup (€25 thousand for 2nd place). The application process closes on 31 July 2024. Global Startup Challenge