The Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET) fellowships are intended for young and early-career (not older than 35 years) Mekong Region citizens with researcher and/or practitioner backgrounds from the countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Fellow will receive a monthly allowance of approx. US$ 750 to cover basic living costs and accommodation while residing in Bangkok (Thailand). The duration of this grant is 12 months. The application deadline is 31 October 2021. SUMERNET Fellowships
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MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab — Arab Startup Competition 2022
The Arab Startup Competition is a yearly competition run by the MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab in three different tracks: Ideas; Startups; and Social Entrepreneurship. Previous winners include examples in agricultural irrigation, transportation efficiency, and other green themes. The winning entrepreneurs are awarded prizes of up to US$50 thousand as well as training, mentorship, coaching, media exposure, and networking opportunities. Eligible enterprises can be located in any Arab country, and each team must have at least two members. The application deadline is 06 December 2021. Link to the competition
Embassy of Japan — Grassroots Human Security Projects in Botswana
The Embassy of Japan in Botswana invites applications for grant assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects. The fund is directed to relatively small socio-economic development projects which have a direct and immediate impact on the well-being of disadvantaged communities. The main areas are education, health/sanitation, water/energy, agriculture/indigenous industry, and environment. Eligibility extends to non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, educational institutes, medical institutes, and local governments. Grant size is up to ¥ 10 million per project. The deadline for applications is 21 January 2022. Find out more
CIVICUS — Civil Society Activism
The CIVICUS Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Awards shed a light on the importance of people power and civil society activism in creating a more just, inclusive and sustainable world. The Awards will recognize seven individuals, groups or organizations that stand out for their innovative work building people power in support of human rights and social justice for everyone. Each winning initiative will receive a US$5 thousand prize. The Awards are open to any individual, organization or group in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Pacific. Deadline to submit the online application form is 20 September 2021. Innovation Awards
U.S. African Development Foundation — Mandela Washington Fellows Program
The Mandela Washington Fellows Program provides up to US$25 thousand in funding to African-owned, sustainable social ventures. Venture must be based in and operate in Sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants have to demonstrate how the venture will improve and change the communities in which the grants are implemented. Applications are open until 21 September 2021. More info here
Young Water Solutions — Young Water Fellowship Program: Senegal
Young Water Solutions supports young entrepreneurs to launch their water and sanitation related social businesses. The Young Water Fellowship provides training, seed-funding and mentorship. The bootcamp aims to empower its participants to implement projects addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), water pollution, and water scarcity. After the bootcamps Fellows can apply for a funding of up to €5 thousand to pilot their business models over 6 months. To be eligible, applicants must be 18 to 30 years old, be fluent in French, intend to stay in Senegal for at least 1.5 years after the training and spend at least 15 hours per week to work on their social business. The call for applications is open until 22 September 2021. Young Water Fellowship Senegal
Young Water Solutions — Young Water Fellowship Program: Bangladesh
Young Water Solutions supports young entrepreneurs to launch their water and sanitation related social businesses. The Young Water Fellowship provides training, seed-funding and mentorship. The bootcamp aims to empower its participants to implement projects addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), water pollution, and water scarcity. After the bootcamps Fellows can apply for a funding of up to €5 thousand to pilot their business models over 6 months. To be eligible, applicants must be 18 to 30 years old, have at least an intermediate knowledge of English, intend to stay in Bangladesh for at least 1.5 years after the training and spend at least 15 hours per week to work on their social business. The call for applications is open until 10 October 2021. Young Water Fellowship Bangladesh
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award — Islamic Green City Excellence Award
The Islamic Green City Excellence Award is dedicated to outstanding works carried out by individuals and public as well as private institutions and organizations operating in the various fields of the environment and sustainable development. The selection of the candidate city for the Award is assessed on the basis of specific criteria, including Sustainable Energy Use, Water and Wastewater Management, Urban Forestry, Biodiversity Preservation, and Climate Change Mitigation, among others. Eligibility extends to everyone involved in environmental management and sustainable development (individuals, groups, institutions, organizations, companies, associations etc., be they public, private or non-governmental) from the Islamic countries. The application remains open until 21 December 2021. Link
United States Agency for International Development — Resilience of Community Conservancies Kenya
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks concept papers from qualified entities to implement the Scaling Sustainability and Resilience of Community Conservancies and Coastal Ecosystems of Kenya program. The goal of this activity is to improve the resilience of vulnerable populations and environments by increasing the capability of local communities to mitigate against recurrent environmental, economic, socio and political risks. USAID intends to provide US$9.8 million to prevent the loss of biodiversity, up to US$2.5 million for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and US$2 million for Feed the Future activities. Eligibility extends to non-profit and for-profit organizations. The closing date for applications is 13 September 2021. Resilience of Community Conservancies
Sustainable Mekong Research Network — Rapid Response Grants
The Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET) seeks to reduce water insecurity for the poor, marginalized and socially vulnerable groups in the Mekong Region. SUMERNET will provide up to two grants to collaborative research projects that focus on water access; governance and management of water-related disaster risks; and transboundary interactions with water systems. The proposed project must cover the whole Mekong region or at least two countries in the study area. Funding support will not exceed US$ 45 thousand per research project to be completed within 6-12 months. The Lead Applicant must be a formal SUMERNET network member. Expressions of Interest have to be submitted by 20 September 2021. Rapid Response Grants