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
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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
French Agency for Development — Digital Project for Sustainable Cities in Africa
The French Agency for Development (AFD) Digital Challenge seeks digital solutions for sustainable cities, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG). Solutions should focus on the basic needs of the urban population (e.g., access to water), foster local economic development (e.g., urban agri-food sector), or support the most vulnerable (e.g., alert systems in the context of an environmental disaster). The call is open to startups, associations, and research centers in Africa. The winner will receive €20 thousand. The deadline for application is 18 November 2019. More about the AFD Digital Challenge
British Council — Global Innovation Challenge
The British Council seeks creative digital ideas that has the potential to change the world and improve the lives of the world’s most disadvantaged people. Ideas have to focus on one of three Global Goals for Sustainable Development, including “Decent Work and Economic Growth” (which fits the category Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry). The winning pitch will get £20 thousand to invest in their idea and mentorship for a full year. The competition is open to anyone and everyone across the world. Applicants can choose to apply as an individual or an organisation. Applications have to be submitted by 10 January 2020. #IdeasChangeLives
Smogathon — Technology to Fight Air Pollution
Smogathon aims to fight air pollution through technology. Start-ups will compete for $15 thousand in cash and a contract to implement their innovation in Krakow, Poland. Smogathon welcomes participation from any group worldwide that works as a registered company, start-up, foundation, or research group with a legal entity. The finalists will compete in Krakow during the Global Clean Air Summit. The deadline for applications is 10 November 2019. Link
Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Small Scale Irrigation — Scaling Small-Scale Irrigation
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Small Scale Irrigation seeks private sector partners in the areas of irrigation technology supply, finance and value chain development to accelerate scaling of small-scale irrigation technologies in Ghana and Ethiopia. Proposed projects must benefit smallholders and be environmentally sustainable. The proposed budget should not exceed US$725 thousand. In order to be eligible, for-profit businesses and social enterprises must have a presence and experience in the region and/or country of interest. Application submissions are due on 23 November 2019. More
Euromena Consulting — Awards for Sub-Saharan Africa Startups
Euromena Consulting invites applications for the 3rd Euromena Awards – Sub-Saharan Africa Edition. The awards are intended for companies or innovative projects with social, economic, environmental and/or societal impact. To be eligible, the startup must be based in a sub-saharan country. The three winners will receive 6 months of customized business consulting (coaching, mentorship, and advisory services), plus financial rewards – 1st place €5 thousand; 2nd place €3 thousand; 3rd place €2 thousand. Applications are invited until the end of October. Award details
Chivas Venture — Funding for Social Entrepreneurs
Chivas Venture provides start-ups and social entrepreneurs with project funding. Past projects include projects in the thematic areas of plastic waste, agriculture, and other environmental or humanitarian themes. 20 Finalists will participate in a 3-day Accelerator Program in London and the winners share a total of US$1 million in funding. Registered for-profit entities from all around the world are eligible to apply. Applications close on 31 October 2019. See the opportunity
ASEAN Foundation — Leadership Training for Social Entrepreneurs
The eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN is a partnership program between Maybank Foundation and ASEAN Foundation that consists of mentoring, regional leadership training, and overseas local community projects. The program aims to improve social and economic well-being of ASEAN communities through social enterprises and will distribute US$20 thousand to 10 selected projects. This program is eligible for citizens of ASEAN Member States (19 – 35 years old). Interested participants can apply online by 30 November 2019. Link