The Climate Investment Challenge calls on graduate students to develop financial solutions and innovations addressing climate change, such as untapped climate finance opportunities or innovative financial structures that improve the bankability of climate investments. The Main Prize challenges students to create innovative financial structures or instruments that enhance the bankability of climate investments or utilize existing tools to explore untapped climate finance opportunities. The Emerging and Developing Markets Prize calls on students to use innovative financial instruments or existing financial tools to address an underserved climate change issue. The Data Analytics Prize is looking for students to develop creative ways to combine existing climate and environmental datasets with financial information to improve the adoption of climate finance or address climate risk. Eligibility extends to students enrolled in a postgraduate degree (Master’s, MBA, or PhD-level) at the time of the submission. The challenge is open globally to students from all academic backgrounds. The deadline for the submission of concept notes is 02 March 2025. Climate Investment Challenge
Category: Energy, Climate Change
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) offers grants to private sector entities working on renewable energy and waste management in developing countries. The funding aims to increase access to sustainable energy, reduce emissions from the energy sector, and mitigate marine litter by supporting recycling, reuse, and pollution reduction efforts. The program prioritizes projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and Indonesia, with a particular focus on Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Nepal. The next application cycle closes on 04 March 2025. NORAD Grants
ClimateCare finances available to scale work in nature-based projects and energy projects. Partnership applications are open to proposals for carbon projects at all stages of development seeking finance and development support to deliver emissions reductions and improve lives. ClimateCare offers access to finance, technical expertise and access to key market insights. Partners receive support for running on-the-ground project activities that deliver impacts on biodiversity, health and livelihoods. Only partners with projects of a certain size qualify for partnership. Interested applicants can submit a proposal for consideration anytime. Further information here
The Mastercard Foundation and University of Cambridge Climate Resilience and Sustainability Research Fund aims to catalyse new and strengthen existing collaborations between researchers in Africa and Cambridge and support high quality training activities. The focus of the scheme is research on climate resilience and sustainability. Applications can be made for a Research Catalyst Grant for up to £20 thousand or a Workshop Grant for up to £50 thousand. The deadline for submission is 21 March 2025. Details here
The 2025 Ocean Awareness Contest – Connections to Nature – encourages students to explore the natural world and their place in it. Participants are invited to create a piece of art, writing, or media that explores their connection to the natural world. Students ages 11-18 from around the world are invited to participate in the contest. Winners can earn cash awards of up to US$1,500. The contest deadline is 09 June 2025. Ocean Awareness Contest
- Tags: awards/prizes, climate, june2025, marine/coastal, worldwide, youth
The Crafting Tomorrow Program is a 12-week initiative by the Center for Climate Action and Innovation in Africa (CCAIE), supporting young innovators (ages 16-35) in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. The fully funded program provides training in climate adaptation, sustainable entrepreneurship, and business development, culminating in a Pitch Day for investors. Applicants must have a strong interest in climate resilience and commit to the full program. Applications close on 25 January 2025. Climate Innovation in Africa
- Tags: Africa, cli, climate, individuals, january2025, partnerships/collaboration
The European Climate Initiative (EUKI) calls for project ideas for transboundary climate action in Europe. Projects may propose forward-looking ideas in the areas of climate policy, energy, buildings and municipalities, mobility, agriculture, soils and forestry, awareness, climate-aligned finance, or sustainable economy. Financing of between €50 thousand and €1 million may be provided for each project. EUKI supports climate projects in EU member states, with a regional focus on Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe as well as the Baltic states. Non-profit organizations from EU accession candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey) may apply for financing as implementing partners. Project ideas have to be submitted by 10 March 2025. More about EUKI
The Honnold Foundation provides funding to organizations or projects that use solar energy to serve underserved or marginalized communities. Both domestic and international organizations may apply. Grant awards typically range from US$25 thousand to US$150 thousand. Organizations must have 501(c)3 status or equivalent status within their country of operation. The application deadline is 13 February 2025. Solar Energy Funding
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invite communicators to join a workshop on renewable energy. The workshop sessions are designed to strengthen the skills of communicators to explore relatively under-reported renewable energy issues in India. Communicators based anywhere in India are eligible. The organizers will cover the cost of travel, accommodation and meals of selected participants. The application deadline is 10 January 2025. Workshop on Renewable Energy
The Sustainable Energy Accelerator (SEA) is an innovation program aimed at promoting sustainable energy solutions and fostering entrepreneurship in the energy sector. The accelerator program provides selected participants with a supportive environment to develop their energy solutions. Applicants must be nationals of a Sub-Saharan African country and be between the ages of 21 and 40. The application deadline is 15 January 2025. Africa Sustainable Energy Accelerator