The Lead 2030 Challenge for SDG 6 seeks to increase water-use efficiency within households and drive responsible water usage. The challenge welcomes solutions that educate households (especially in countries and regions at greatest risk to the consequences of water scarcity) and drive innovative ways to reduce water usage through focused behavioral change methods or technological innovation. The winner will receive a US$50 thousand project grant and 12 months of mentorship from a team of RB professionals. The initiative must be youth-led (founded by a person aged 18 – 30). The application deadline is 05 January 2020. About the SDG 6 challenge
social enterprise
Mondi Group — Lead 2030 Challenge for SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
The Lead 2030 Challenge for SDG 12 seeks solutions that address necessary changes required to avoid unnecessary waste production. Projects can focus on alternative solutions for waste streams; retail recycling, consumer behavior, cross-industry collaboration; or the reduction of post-harvest losses. The winner will receive a US$50 thousand project grant and 12 months of mentorship from a team of Mondi Group professionals. The project must be youth-led (founded by a person aged 18 – 30). The application deadline is 05 January 2020. About the SDG 12 challenge
Famae — Food For Good Challenge
The company Famae seeks innovative and concrete solutions from field to fork to deliver fair, sustainable & healthy food worldwide to everyone. Solutions should be pragmatic, efficient, durable, and money-saving to make life easier for urban citizens while reducing their environmental footprint. Individuals, teams, businesses, government entities, universities and organizations are eligible to apply. The maximum award is €2 million which may be allocated to a single exceptional project to cover the production of a prototype. Applications will be accepted until 14 February 2020. Find the terms and conditions
U.S. African Development Foundation — Off-Grid Energy Challenge
USADF and Nithio request proposals for the USADF-Nithio Off-Grid Energy Challenge. Proposals are invited from Kenyan off-grid solar operators. Approximately two to five awards are anticipated. Selected enterprises will receive funding in the form of a combination of loan and grant funds, in the amount of between US$400 thousand and US$1 million. Applications have to be submitted by 02 December 2019. More
ENEA Consulting — Support for Energy Initiatives in Africa and Asia
ENEA Access offers 50 to 60 days of professional consulting services on a pro-bono basis. The Energy Access Booster is open to entrepreneurs based in Sub-Saharan Africa or Asia. Activities that can be considered for ENEA’s support include feasibility studies, market and business models, implementation of pilot projects, and others. Selected entrepreneurs receive a financial contribution of up to US$ 50 thousand. Projects must clearly contribute to the reduction of poverty and/or climate change as a result of improved access to energy. There are no restrictions regarding the home country of the applying organization. The closing date is 13 December 2019. Click here
Global LEAP Awards — Solar Water Pump Competition
The Global LEAP Solar Water Pump Competition will recognize energy efficient and affordable solar water pumps intended for smallholder farmers or individual household use that are appropriate for use with off-grid energy systems. No financial incentives are available for this round. However, winners and finalists will be featured in the 2019 Global LEAP Solar Water Pump Buyer’s Guide and be considered for investment by the Efficiency for Access Coalition Investor Network. The competition is open to companies in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The deadline for receipt of nominations is 18 January 2020. Link to the Solar Water Pump Competition
Mohammed Bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity — Climate Change Challenge
The Global Makers Challenge invites innovative start-ups, entrepreneurs and businesses to submit solutions to solve real-world problems. The current Climate Change challenge seeks solutions that will empower communities, especially those in developing countries, to eliminate waste and use existing resources through low-carbon, circular approaches. Applications are invited from innovators around the world without any geographical limitations. The winner receives prizes, including cash and mentorship. The deadline is 31 January 2020. Find the Challenges
2SCALE — Digital Innovation for Climate Smart Agriculture
2SCALE invites entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs with digital innovations to apply to the innovation challenge to boost climate smart agriculture. Innovation should promote food and nutrition security, climate-smart (eco-efficient) agriculture, and the inclusion of women and youth. Furthermore, the innovation should primarily focus on smallholder farmers. Projects have to be implemented in Kenya, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, or Niger. The winners will receive scaling opportunities, technical support, and research support. The application has to be submitted by 15 November 2019. More
United States Agency for International Development — Household Solar Workforce Development Africa
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the ResilientAfrica Network (RAN) invite applications for the Household Solar Workforce Development Challenge. Projects should focus on the development of off-grid solar home systems for households and businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa. The call is open to for-profit, nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and academic institutions with demonstrated capabilities and programs in energy workforce development. The selected organizations will receive awards ranging from US$100 thousand to US$350 thousand for project implementation over the course of one year. The closing date for applications is 15 December 2019. Find the challenge
World Bank Group — Supporting Women Micro-Entrepreneurs
The World Bank Group invites applications for the “Sustainable Development Goals and Her Competition.” SDGs & Her is an online competition for women micro-entrepreneurs to showcase how they are supporting the SDGs through their business operations. Winners will receive leadership training, mentoring and will be flown to Washington DC, for an event at the World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings (April 2020). The competition is open to women who own micro and small enterprises. The deadline for the competition is 10 January 2020. About the competition