The Agrobiodiversity Innovation Challenge seeks new products, services, and best practices that can help farmers, consumers, and food companies to increase production while conserving agrobiodiversity. Two selected winners will receive US$5 thousand, mentorship and technical assistance. Applicants must be individuals, private companies, or institutions responsible for an innovation with a demonstrated efficiency to enhance and promote sustainable food and agriculture. The submission deadline is 30 September 2021. More information
agriculture
African Women’s Development Fund — Grants for Women’s Organizations
The African Women’s Development Fund supports organizations working towards the empowerment of African women and the achievement of gender equality on the continent. The six thematic areas include one on economic empowerment and livelihoods related to food security, agriculture, climate change, and other issues. The program makes grants to local, national, sub-regional, and regional women’s organizations in Africa and the following Middle East Countries: Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq and Yemen. Grants range from US$8 thousand to US$50 thousand. The closing date for applications is 11 August 2021. More
IDEX Accelerator — IDEX Fellowship 2022
The IDEX Fellowship Program aims to build the capacity of young professionals for social enterprise in areas such as agriculture, education, clean energy, sanitation, healthcare, livelihoods, and impact investing. The program provides six months of leadership training in enterprise development, including field placements at social enterprises in India. Candidates should be 21 to 35 years old, with a minimum of one to three years of professional work experience. IDEX offers a limited number of partial scholarships on program tuition to a select number of candidates. The application deadline is 31 October 2021. Info
SVG Ventures — THRIVE LATAM Challenge
Silicon Valley Global Ventures is an investment, technology and advisory firm that invests in companies that go through their accelerator program. The THRIVE LATAM Challenge seeks innovative solutions specifically designed for the Latin American agrifood industry. SVG Ventures will select the best startups and scale-ups for investment. The winner will participate in the Silicon Valley Startup Bootcamp and have the opportunity to pitch their idea in front of global investors. The challenge is open to agri food companies in Latin America. The application deadline is 02 December 2021. Link to THRIVE LATAM
Unleash — Incubation Program for Entrepreneurs
UNLEASH Plus is a global 6-month incubation program for entrepreneurs working on social or environmental challenges, in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The program provides teams with the right skills, mindsets, and resources to test and launch their solutions, and design them for large-scale impact. Teams will explore real-life challenges within the SDG themes, before defining specific problems and coming up with solutions. The top teams will present their solutions to investors and experts. The program is open to all youth entrepreneurs looking to advance solutions that address the SDGs. The application deadline is 25 July 2021. UNLEASH Plus
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Digital Advisory Services
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) seeks international organizations to receive a three-year IFAD grant financing to implement the project: Digital Advisory Services to Support Accelerated Rural Transformation for a total amount of up to US$2 million. Goal is the sustainable integration of proven ICT4D solutions that can improve the economic and social conditions of the rural poor, including women and youth. Deadline to receive proposals is 13 August 2021. However, interested institutions are requested to confirm their intention to submit a proposal by 28 July 2021. Find the call
InfoNile — COVID-19 Pandemic and Water Crisis
InfoNile seeks proposals for in-depth reporting on the Impacts of Covid-19 on irrigation and water access and use by farmers. The program invites journalists (TV journalists and local radio journalists) to investigate agriculture water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (AgriWASH). InfoNile is interested in multimedia stories focusing on how Covid-19 is impacting agricultural water management in the Nile basin countries. Most grants will be around US$1,000. Eligibility extends to all countries in Africa’s Nile River basin, especially arid Egypt and Sudan as well as drought-ridden areas of Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda. Story pitches can be submitted until 31 July 2021. Details here
LEAP Africa — Social Innovators Program
LEAP Africa enables young changemakers to transition their social change solutions into scalable social enterprises. The Social Innovators Program seeks applications from social entrepreneurs who would be willing to participate in various activities for the 2021/2022 fellowship year. Fellows participate in training sessions (physical and online), receive mentorship, access to local & international funding and partnership opportunities. The social ventures of the Fellows cover various aspects of the society, such as Agriculture, Youth Empowerment, Education, Science & Technology, Health, Law, Human Rights, among others. Young Africans between 18 and 35 years, whose initiatives offer effective solutions to challenges in local communities are eligible to apply as fellows. The application deadline is 06 August 2021. Link to LEAP Africa
U.S. Department of Agriculture — Animal Health Systems
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks to improve the capacity to anticipate and mitigate the negative impacts of animal diseases, zoonosis, climate change, and disasters for healthy and productive animal populations and increased access to regional and international markets for African animals and animal products. USDA will provide technical agricultural assistance in support of national and regional technical training, research, and outreach programs. USDA will grant one cooperative agreement of US$1 million to implement the new Animal Health Strategy for Africa (AHSA). Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education. The closing date for applications is 13 August 2021. Link
SEED — Starter Workshop for Eco-Enterprises in Zambia
The SEED Starter program offers workshops to guide young entrepreneurs from early stages of ideation to the generation of a viable business plan. SEED Starter invites applications from teams who develop green and inclusive business solutions to key social and environmental challenges in Zambia. Participation in the workshops is free, although participants need to cover their transportation costs and accommodation. All SEED Starter participants consist of a team of 2-5 members. Participants will be eligible to apply for a SEED Grant (of up to €1,000) after successfully completing the workshop. The application deadline is 13 August 2021. SEED Starter Workshop Zambia