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
social enterprise
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
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
United Nations World Food Programme — Food Systems Challenge: Rwanda
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) seeks solutions in Rwanda that address food insecurity through strengthening food systems. The IGNITE Food Systems Challenge supports the scaling of innovative start-ups, small businesses, and cooperatives with commercially viable solutions to address gaps in the food system. Each selected venture will receive up to US$25 thousand in grant funding and 5 months of technical support. Applications close on 23 June 2024. IGNITE Food Systems Challenge
U.S. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation — Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal
The U.S. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) supports projects to assess, remove, and dispose of marine debris in and around coastal communities impacted by hurricanes and other episodic storm events. Eligible projects will reduce marine debris from coastal habitats and nearshore waters of coastal counties in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina impacted by the 2022 hurricanes Fiona, Ian, Nicole, and Typhoon Merbok. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, government agencies, for-profit organizations, and educational institutions. The Fund will award approximately US$6 million in grants. The proposal deadline is 26 July 2024. Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund
Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative — Water Pollution Challenge
The Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative aims to find innovative solutions to conserve and restore freshwater ecosystems. Aquapreneur seeks high-potential solutions to prevent water pollution and reduce the environmental impacts of contaminated water. Solutions could include advanced filtration, the elimination of wastewater discharges, decision support systems to provide accurate and accessible data for measuring options for both the public and industries, as well as household water testing and filtration. Up to 10 innovators will each be eligible to receive CHF 175 thousand in co-financing. The challenge is open for submissions until 12 August 2024. Tackling Water Pollution Challenge
The Bridge International — Funding for Social Entrepreneurs
The Bridge International is a non-profit organization that works as an online crowdfunding platform for social entrepreneurs in Asia and Africa. Bridge International aims to support local entrepreneurs to be self-reliant and financially sustainable in their operations while they create social impact within the community. Applications for the recruiting program Global Bridging Fund (GBF) are open. Selected partners will benefit from seed funds up to US$5,000 as a 0% interest loan, connections to other social enterprises, and potential partnerships with global institutions and corporations. The deadline is 28 May 2024. Global Bridging Fund
United Nations Development Programme — ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge
The United Nations Development Program aims to foster the development of the blue economy in ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste. The ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge seeks to identify, finance, and support innovative solutions geared towards the conservation and sustainable management of marine ecosystems, coastal areas, and freshwater resources. Selected awardees receive US$40 thousand to pilot their innovations. The deadline is 31 May 2024. ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge