The NOW-Us! (NOthing about us, Without Us) Award honors inspiring inclusive initiatives from Africa and Asia that trigger empowerment of otherwise excluded groups. This includes social enterprises led by women, indigenous groups and ethnic minorities with initiatives that improve access to productive resources (land and water), among others. The three winners (1, 2 and 3) get a grant of respectively €25 thousand, €15 thousand and €10 thousand along with coaching and networking opportunities. Initiatives have to be submitted by 30 June 2019. (Note: The Spindle makes additional awards to accelerate innovative initiatives in the field of humanitarian and development work.) About the Now-Us Award
social enterprise
European Commission — Supporting Small-Scale Fisheries in Africa and the Indian Ocean
The European Commission seeks to support environmental sustainable of small-scale inland and marine fisheries in Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region. The objective of this call is to secure more sustainable fisheries management and contribute to marine biodiversity and climate resilience. Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between €500 thousand and €1 million. Eligibility extends to a wide variety of organisations, including non-profit, social enterprise, businesses, local governments, or international organizations. The deadline for submissions of concept notes is 31 July 2019. Details here
Energy Assistance — Technical Assistance for Small Electricity Projects
Energy Assistance is an employees’ association of electricity utilities in Europe that offers technical assistance to communities in the developing world needing electricity. Examples are electricity projects for water supply, village lighting, agriculture, schools and hospitals, and related local needs. The Association posts an application form. Applications can be submitted at any time. Link
Climate Chance — Climate Chance Summit Africa 2019
Climate Chance opens the call for proposals for the Climate Chance Summit Africa 2019. The call is open to local authorities, businesses, NGOs, trade unions, scientists, representatives from agricultural, youth, women and indigenous organisations, educators and citizens. Initiatives corresponding to many themes will be considered: Access to climate finance in Africa; Developing African cities in a sustainable way; Agriculture, food and reforestation in Africa; Renewable energy and energy efficiency in Africa; Adaptation and Water in Africa; Education and Training on Climate Change in Africa; and others. Selected initiatives will be presented during the thematic workshops at the summit and/or will be published on the Cartography for action. Deadline for submissions is 31 May 2019. More
ENGIE Africa Corporate Foundation — Urban Power & Clean Water Solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa
ENGIE Africa invites innovators and startups to apply for the Call for Urban Power & Clean Water Solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The call is open to developers of new technologies and service based solutions to improve reliable access to energy and clean water in urban Sub-Saharan Africa. Selected projects will be able to test the efficiency and viability of the proposed solution in the relevant environment (Testing phase), and based on the results of the testing phase, integration within the Engie Africa business portfolio and further co-development of the project. The deadline for submission of applications is 06 June 2019. About
Unilever — Young Entrepreneurs Awards 2019
The Unilever Young Entrepreneurs Awards invite nominations of individuals ages 18 to 35 anywhere in the world who have initiatives, products, or services that address sustainability challenges in three categories. The categories are ‘improve people’s health and well-being’; ‘improve the health of the planet’; and ‘contribute to a fairer and more socially inclusive world’. Unilever will recognise up to eight winners in 2019, each of whom will be awarded a cash prize in addition to one-to-one mentoring support for a year. The overall winner will receive the “HRH The Prince of Wales Young Sustainability Entrepreneur Prize” of €50 thousand, the remaining winners will each receive a €8.5 thousand cash award. The deadline for nominations is 30 June 2019. Link
British Embassy Lima — Gender Equality, Clean Growth and Media Freedom
The British Embassy, through the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s programme, invites local and international organisations to submit proposals for projects on British Embassy priorities in Peru. There are four thematic areas, including ‘clean growth’ that relates to reducing the use of plastics and initiatives that contribute to making the Pan American and Parapan American Games carbon neutral. The British Embassy in Lima invites project proposals up to £50 thousand to apply. The deadline for the submission of projects is 19 May 2019. Link
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Eurasia and Central Asia
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in any one of the following countries: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkmenistan. The priorities under this call include one on environment and climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation, as well as on water management. The average contribution is expected to be in the range of C$15 thousand to C$30 thousand per project. Larger projects may be considered on an exceptional basis. Eligibility extends to local community organizations, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions working on local projects. The deadline for submission is 10 May 2019. Find the call
U.S. Mission to Benin — Funding for Community Organizations
The U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (SSH) is aimed at assisting Beninese community groups to develop lasting, self-sustaining projects with focus on development concerns, including sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and access to clean water and sanitation. Small grants of up to US$10 thousand are made to local community-based groups or organizations. The deadline to submit proposals is 01 July 2019. Link
Takeda Foundation — Young Entrepreneurship Award 2019
The Takeda Foundation accepts applications for the Takeda Young Entrepreneurship Award. The Award is for young entrepreneurs trying to address real technological and social needs by creating goods and services that enhance the well-being of communities around the world. Past winners include projects in the field of water management, disaster-relief and biotechnology, among others. The winner of the Best Entrepreneur Award will receive 1 million Japanese yen. Five selected entrepreneurs will receive 200 thousand Japanese yen each. The application period ends 28 June 2019. About the award