WISIONS of Sustainability is an initiative of the Wuppertal Institute to nurture innovative energy projects and to foster knowledge exchanges between practitioners. The supporting scheme SEPS (Sustainable Energy Project Support) has launched its first call for proposals in 2018 to focus on projects and knowledge exchanges for the Caribbean, Latin America, and Southern and Southeast Asia. Short deadline: 26 February 2018. Info
social enterprise
U.S. Department of State — Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs Program
The US Department of State provides entrepreneurship training, mentoring, and support for female students currently enrolled at Indian universities. Ideas may be based on scientific or technological research undertaken at the university or innovation created by the student independently. Selected participants will take part in a six-week online course, meet for an intense weekend workshop at the Nexus Startup Hub at the American Center New Delhi, and travel to Texas for a two-week program exploring commercial opportunities and markets. Application deadline is 16 March 2018. More
Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors — Cities for our Future Challenge 2018
The Cities for our Future Challenge is a global competition run by the Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in partnership with UNESCO and the ACU. Young professional, start-ups and students involved in surveying, urban design, architecture, or engineering are invited to submit innovative ideas for projects and policies that solve issues in the topics of Rapid Urbanisation, Climate Change, and Resource Scarcity. The winner will receive €50 thousand and mentoring to develop a prototype. Ideas have to be submitted by 31 May 2018. Participate!
SEED — SAG-Seed Replicator Workshops for Eco-Enterprises in Ghana
SEED is a global partnership founded by UNEP, UNDP, and IUCN to promote eco-enterprises. The program announces its next replicator workshop in Ghana. The replicator workshop of one day introduce motivated individuals to proven business models from various countries. Participants will learn how to adapt them to your individual local context to solve environmental, social and economic challenges. Focus areas are waste management and sustainable tourism. Future entrepreneurs, business owners and NGOs are welcome to apply. The participation in the workshop is free of charge, participants must cover their own transport costs however. The application deadline is 04 March 2018. About the workshop
International Youth Foundation — Global Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs
The Laureate Global Fellowship, sponsored by Laureate International Universities, recognizes 20 young leaders from around the world who have pioneered solutions to urgent social and environmental challenges in their communities and beyond. Laureate Global Fellows begin their fellowship experience at a week-long training retreat and gain access to opportunities for needs-based personal and organizational development. Applicants must be 18 – 29 years old and founder or co-founder of a venture with at least one year of impact. Deadline for applications is 06 March 2018. Learn more about this fellowship
BMCE Bank of Africa — African Entrepreneurship Award 2018
The African Entrepreneurship Award is a business competition inviting young African entrepreneurs to submit their entrepreneurial ideas in two categories, one of which is “Innovation” for projects and business ideas that aim to solve pressing issues in Africa. This refers to business proposals that innovate to create jobs and improve lives addressing problems in areas such as food security, water access, sustainable energy, deforestation,and others. Submissions are invited from for-profit businesses managed by Africans who are at least 18 years old. The competition winners will share US$1 million. The closing date is 30 April 2018. About the African Entrepreneurship Award
Bestseller Foundation — Enterprises in Agriculture and Environment
The Bestseller Foundation provides financial support for sustainable agriculture, sustainable jobs and entrepreneurship, and environment and nature conservation in China, Africa and India. The foundation invests mainly with commercial actors in for-profit projects by means of loans and equity. Nonprofit organizations and projects may sometimes be eligible if they have clear and commercially viable objectives. In some cases, the Foundation may consider grants or donations. Potential partners in the eligible regions contact the Foundation by telephone or email, and present a short concept note. Find details
Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation — Demonstration Environment Projects
The Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation (Sida) seeks applications for its Demonstration Grants program. Proposed projects should be international technology and knowledge exchanges involving new and sustainable solutions which positively and measurably impact the environment and poverty reduction. The programme’s focus areas are climate change adaptation/mitigation; ecosystem services; renewable energy; water and sanitation; and urban development. Eligibility extends to companies or organisations based in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Grants range from SEK 500 thousand to SEK 1.8 million. Applications will be reviewed in two steps. In the first step, applicants submit concept notes. In the second step, applicants whose project ideas have been reviewed and accepted in the first step will be invited to submit a full application. Concept notes have to be submitted no later than 14 February 2018. Know more
Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation — Planning Grants
The Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation (Sida) seeks applications for its Planning Grants program. Grants are awarded to help entrepreneurs explore new markets and research their technology’s impact on the environment and poverty reduction. The programme’s emphasis is on cleantech products, systems, processes, and services in the following focus areas: climate change adaptation/mitigation; ecosystem services; renewable energy; water and sanitation; and urban development. Eligibility extends to companies or organisations based in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The maximum amount per projects is SEK350 thousand. The call for applications is open until 04 March 2018 with the possibility to send in a concept note and receive feedback before 14 February. Know more
German Embassy in Jakarta — Small Scale Projects 2018
The German Embassy in Jakarta seeks small scale projects and sustainable project ideas related to sectors of social welfare, agriculture, health, education or environment. The German Embassy financially supports projects of non-governmental and public benefit organisations. Projects receive up to €25 thousand and should aim to improve the livelihoods of populations in rural areas within 6 months. Applications must be received by 15 March 2018. Learn more