The Bicester Collection announces the 2025 Unlock Her Future Prize, targeting women social entrepreneurs from South Asia. This initiative seeks innovative, not-for-profit business ideas or early-stage ventures that align with at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Eligible applicants must be women over 18 years old, citizens and residents of South Asian countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). Winners will receive up to US$100 thousand in financial capital, university support, mentorship from global experts, and increased visibility through global exposure. Applications close on 10 March 2025. Unlock Her Future Prize
social enterprise
Dory Foundation — Grants for Early Stage Non-Profit Work
The Dory Foundation supports promising, early-stage non-profit work with grants between US$10 thousand and US$250 thousand. There are no thematic restrictions, however, projects should respond to the question: “How can we keep life meaningful and fulfilling in a world where work is automated with AI”. The funding scope is global, no specific locations targeted. The project must be a charity or non-profit project. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Details
Ashoka — Young Changemakers
Ashoka identifies and supports teenagers who start their own initiatives for addressing social and environmental problems. Selected Changemakers are inducted into a global community and gain access to co-leadership bootcamps, media partnerships, public speaking platforms, exposure visits, strategic allies and more opportunities to grow and to influence youth culture in their countries. Candidates must be under 20 years of age to participate. Ashoka offers youth related activities in Nigeria, Brazil, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the United States. Expressions of interest can be submitted all year-round. Nominations for Ashoka Young Changemakers are accepted year-round. Details
GET.invest — Finance Catalyst for Renewable Energy Projects
The GET.invest Finance Catalyst supports small- and medium-scale renewable energy projects and businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean or the Pacific region. The program provides advisory support on project and business plan development, project and business structuring and accessing finance, at no cost. Eligible applicants may be private sector developers, NGOs, universities or research institutions. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. Once one round closes a new one opens. Finance Catalyst for Renewable Energy
Ashoka — Supporting Small Business Ecosystems
The Power of Local Challenge by Ashoka and Prudential supports initiatives that strengthen small business ecosystems in Latin America and East Africa. Eleven winners will receive up to US$60 thousand in prizes for projects enhancing collaboration, mentorship, and access to capital. Eligibility extends to small businesses and entrepreneurs from Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Applications close on 26 February 2025. Link to Ashoka
Global Innovation Fund — Social Innovations for the Developing World
The Global Innovation Fund (GIF) welcomes proposals of innovative and cost-effective solutions that address any major development challenge (including energy, water access, agriculture and fisheries) in any country or in multiple countries of the developing world. The program is open to teams and coalitions from social enterprises, for-profit companies, NGOs, government agencies, international organizations, and researchers anywhere in the world. GIF offers grants, loans, and equity investments ranging from US$230 thousand to US$15 million. Applicants should propose the level and type of funding that is appropriate for their innovation, based on the stage of development. GIF accepts applications on a continuous basis. Information
King Baudouin Foundation — KBF Africa Prize 2025-2026
The KBF Africa Prize is awarded to Africans or African organizations who are making an outstanding contribution to development in Africa. There are no restrictions as to the chosen themes. The Selection Committee favors community approaches that deal with actual and current challenges in Africa. The winners receive financial support of up to €250 thousand. Self-nomination is not permitted. The deadline for nominations is 03 March 2025. Find out how to nominate a candidate
SVG Ventures — THRIVE Academy
Silicon Valley Global Ventures is an investment, technology and advisory firm that invests in companies that go through their accelerator program. The THRIVE Academy supports idea stage and pre-seed stage startups in the agri-food tech sector. The 12-week accelerator program helps startups and researchers looking to commercialize their innovations. The application deadline is 15 January 2025. THRIVE Academy
InsuResilience Solutions Fund — Climate Risk Insurance Products
InsuResilience Solutions Fund (ISF) seeks projects with a holistic approach to disaster relief and preparedness. The Fund will support the development of new climate risk insurance products or the scaling-up of already existing products to increase the resilience of poor and vulnerable people in developing countries to climate change. The ISF provides grant-based co-funding of up to €2.5 million but requires matching the grant funding (in-kind and/or as a financial contribution). Eligibility extends to private and public organizations located in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. The application deadline is 07 February 2025. More information
WomenStrong — Climate & Environmental Justice Program
WomenStrong seeks potential grantees that identify as local women-led organizations working in urban and peri-urban areas on climate and environmental justice-related issues and taking a gender-responsive approach. These organizations will work to mobilize women, both as the people most affected by climate breakdown and environmental injustice, and join the WomenStrong Learning Lab, a virtual community that disseminates findings that can advance the evidence base for what works to improve the lives of women and girls. The deadline for submissions is 30 November 2024. Details here