The Power of Local Challenge by Ashoka and Prudential supports initiatives that strengthen small business ecosystems in Latin America and East Africa. Eleven winners will receive up to US$60 thousand in prizes for projects enhancing collaboration, mentorship, and access to capital. Eligibility extends to small businesses and entrepreneurs from Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Applications close on 26 February 2025. Link to Ashoka
training/education
Nudge — Global Impact Challenge
The Nudge Global Impact Challenge is an online personal development program for young professionals that focuses on leadership, sustainability and impact. Participants learn from leading companies (profit and non-profit), social enterprises, governmental and non-governmental organizations through individualized coaching sessions and learning modules. The Nudge academy provides 30 scholarships to successful applicants which frees them of paying the participation fee (€5.990) for the program. The program is open to young professionals (23-33 years) from all around the world. The deadline is 01 July 2025. About the Global Impact Challenge
Acumen Fund — East Africa Fellowship
The Acumen East Africa Fellows Program is a 6-month program comprising 5 seminars that gives individuals from East Africa the training they need to accelerate their social impact and leadership potential. Eligible countries are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan & Ethiopia. Past fellows have included several in smallholder agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, fair trade, and other areas. Acumen covers all program expenses related to travel and accommodations, but it does not offer scholarships, stipends, or other funding. The application deadline is 07 February 2025. About this fellowship
United Nations Environment Programme — Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreements
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) offers a course focused on international environmental law-making and diplomacy. The course addresses “One Atmosphere – Climate change, air pollution and ozone depletion” within international environmental law, to equip both current and future negotiators with the necessary skills to strengthen the negotiation, implementation, and impact of key environmental treaties. Candidates from developing nations or economies in transition can apply for partial or full fellowships to help with costs. This course is designed for experienced government officials. Additionally, representatives from non-governmental organizations, the private sector, as well as researchers and academics specializing in international environmental law, are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted by 09 December 2024. Details
U.S. Department of State — TechWomen 2025
TechWomen offers professional mentorship and exchange to emerging women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from the developing world. The program is open to qualified women with a minimum of 2 years of full-time professional experience in the STEM fields. Applicants must be citizens of Albania, Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan or Zimbabwe. TechWomen covers the costs of travel and accommodation for the program events in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. The application deadline is 07 January 2025. TechWomen 2025
Clinton Foundation — Clinton Global Initiative University
The Clinton Global Initiative University seeks student leaders from around the world who are committed to taking action in their community to address a pressing challenge such as the environment, climate change, poverty alleviation, or public health. Fellows receive an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the Clinton Global Initiative 2025 Annual Meeting in New York City in September 2025. Applicants have to be at least 18 years of age and be currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning. The application deadline is 20 December 2024. Link
Acumen — West Africa Fellowship
The Acumen Fellows Program supports social innovators from West Africa who are tackling issues of poverty and injustice within their community. The Fellowship consists of a fully-funded leadership program, where Fellows remain in their role while taking part in a series of immersive seminars, workshops, and group practice. Past fellows have included several in smallholder agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, fair trade, and other subject areas. Applications have to be received by 25 November 2024. Acumen West Africa Fellowship
Borlaug Global Rust Initiative — Support for Women in Wheat Research
The Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI) offers the Jeanie Borlaug Laube Award for the professional development of women working on wheat research during the early stages of their careers. The award is made only to women. Priority is given to women at the pre-professoriate level. The application deadline is 29 November 2024. About the early-career award
Obama Foundation — Scholars Program at Columbia University
The Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University (USA) is a one-year training program for leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to finding solutions to challenges in their communities or countries. Scholars attend courses and participate in leadership development training. Participants receive a furnished studio apartment during their stay, a monthly stipend to assist with living expenses, as well as travel and tuition fees paid. The program is open to applicants from all around the world. Applications for the 2025-2026 program have to be submitted until 16 December 2024. Information
Earth Journalism Network — Seed Grants to Support Climate and Environmental Journalism
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) offers media grants to immigrant, Black, Indigenous and people of color-serving newsrooms and media collectives in the United States and Canada to support innovative, investigative, and/or enterprise reporting projects on environmental or climate change. EJN anticipates supporting three organizations with grants of US$8,000 each. Immigrant and/or BIPOC-serving media in the United States and Canada are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 31 October 2024. Details