The Global Makers Challenge invites innovative start-ups, entrepreneurs and businesses to submit solutions to solve real-world problems. The current Sustainable Energy challenge seeks manufacturing methods and products that allow increased access to low carbon energy for people living in rural and isolated communities. Applications are invited from innovators around the world without any geographical limitations. The winner receives prizes, including cash and mentorship. Shortlisted companies will be invited to a pitch live session in UAE (May 2019), finalist will be invited to the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (July 2019) in Russia. The deadline is 31 January 2019. Find the Sustainable Energy Challenge
social enterprise
World Bank — Support for 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 2019). The deadline for the competition is 31 December 2018. Here
ASEAN Foundation — Leadership Training for Social Entrepreneurs
The eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN is a partnership programme 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 (note: This may include one or more focus areas of the Terra Viva Grants Directory). This programme is eligible for citizens of ASEAN Member States (19 – 35 years old). The participation in this program is fully funded. Interested participants can apply online by 18 November 2018 the latest. Details here
Chivas Venture — Funding for Social Entrepreneurs
Chivas Venture provides start-ups and social entrepreneurs with project funding. Past projects include 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 2018. See the opportunity
United Nations Development Programme — Ecosystem Challenge for young African Entrepreneurs
The purpose of the ecosystem challenge is to seed youth entrepreneurship focused activities through provision of catalytic grant capital of US$10 thousand. Proposed projects should provide an innovative solution to development challenges facing the youth in Africa. Thematic areas may include one or multiple categories of the Terra Viva Grants Directory. The challenge supports networking, business plan development, marketing, coaching, mentoring, and other activities. Deadline for submission of applications is 14 October 2018. Find the challenge
Go. Go Love Foundation — Funding for Community Projects
The Go. Go Love Foundation seeks applications from local charities and non-profit organizations that work with local communities. Thematic areas include WASH, resilience building to climate change, disaster/risk reduction, and others. Applicants may request funding of up to AUD30 thousand over a 1-2 year project period. The current round of funding targets small to medium non-profit organisations working in developing countries in Asia (South-East, South and/or Central), Africa or Central America. The deadline for applications is 08 October 2018. Find details
Euromena Consulting — Awards for MENA Start-ups
Euromena Consulting launches the Euromena Awards – MENA Edition. The awards are intended for companies or innovative projects with social, economic, environmental and/or societal impact. Proposed projects should be related to MENA and/or be established in the region. The three winners will receive coaching and support for 6 months and the 1st place startup receives a €10 thousand financial reward. Applications must be sent before 29 October 2018. Find out more
Munich Re Foundation — RISK Award “Coastal Resilience”
The RISK Award seeks operational projects in the field of risk reduction and disaster management. The prize will provide financial support of €100 thousand to projects dedicated to increasing people’s resilience to risks and disasters, especially in developing countries. The submitted projects may concentrate on population development, water as a resource, and other risk factors, including climate change. There are no eligibility restrictions but research institutions and NGOs are especially encouraged to submit. Projects have to be submitted by 30 November 2018. More
Global Social Venture Competition — Competition 2019
The Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) is a partnership of business schools in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with mentoring, exposure, and funding to support their social ventures. Past winners include plans for water supply, energy, micro-credit, agricultural technology, ecological building materials, and other environmental themes. The GSVC will award cash prizes up to US$40 thousand. The deadline for the first entry round in all regions is 03 December 2018. Find the competition
Africa Innovates for the SDGs — Award for African Social Innovators
Africa Innovates for the SDGs invites applications from early-stage social innovators in Africa who are solving pressing problems and key challenges linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. Selected innovators will receive funding to develop and scale their innovations to become financially sustainable. Applicants must be a citizen of any African country or a resident in any African countries. The deadline for applications is 07 September 2018. Find the guidelines