The Diaspora Challenge seeks scalable business solutions to social challenges in Africa. The challenge invites proposals in three thematic areas, including one on clean and affordable energy. The winning ideas will receive prototype funding of US$ 15 thousand, seed investment and mentorship to put their idea into action. Only Africans in diaspora are eligible. Ideas have to be submitted by 30 June 2020. About the Diaspora Challenge
Africa
TRANSFORM — Sanitation for Underserved Urban Areas
TRANSFORM offers support to water utilities in Sub-Saharan Africa with innovative ideas and WASH solutions that meet the sanitation needs of underserved consumers in urban areas. Two successful projects will receive up to £250 thousand in funding, in addition to in-kind support over a 12-18 month period. Joint applications from NGOs, academics, consultants, and funders based in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are encouraged. Business models and ideas have to be submitted by 16 March 2020. Link
Hivos — Producer of the Year Award
Hivos, in collaboration with the Kenya Flower Council and the Uganda Flowers Exporters Association, seeks applications for the “Producer of the Year Award” (POYA) in horticulture. POYA is interested in organizations and farms that create better working conditions, and strengthen women worker rights and overall labor rights. The call is open to all horticultural farms in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. The winners will be honored during the International Flower Trade Expo (IFTEX), in Nairobi (June 2020). Self-nominations have to be submitted by 25 March 2020. Nominate here
Cities Alliance — Small Grants for Climate Adaptation
Cities Alliance seeks affordable and innovative climate adaptation concepts, products and processes at the community level to foster the dialogue between local communities and local governments. This specific call targets urban communities in two sub-regions, the Greater Horn of Africa (Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda) and the Bay of Bengal (Bangladesh and Myanmar). Projects with a duration of 8 months can request funding of up to US$30 thousand. Community-based organisations, national and local NGOs and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. All proposals must be submitted before 30 March 2020. Find more information here
Newton Fund — Newton Prize for Excellence in Research and Innovation
The Newton Prize recognizes the best research or innovation projects that promote economic development and social welfare. In 2020, the Prize celebrates the impacts made as a result of international collaborations in Newton partner countries (Egypt, Kenya, Jordan, Turkey, and South Africa). One Newton Prize of up to £200 thousand will be awarded to each of the 5 eligible partner countries. The award is open to applicants who currently hold a Newton award. Applicants whose award has already concluded are also eligible to apply. The deadline for application is 21 April 2020. About the Newton Prize
Swedish International Development Agency — Training Workshop: Mine Water and Mine Waste Management
Sida funds short-term training in selected development topics for participants from relevant organizations and agencies in Eastern and Southern Africa. Invitations are open to applicants for the Advanced International Training Programme “Mine Water and Mine Waste Management.” The overall objective of this program is to develop a sustainable use of natural resources and to secure safe living environments for future generations. Sida will cover costs related to all program phases except personal expenses, visa fees or any local airport taxes and departure fees. The closing date for applications is 24 May 2020. About the training course
Global LEAP Awards — Electric Pressure Cooker Competition
The Global LEAP Electric Pressure Cooker Competition recognizes manufacturers and distributors of electric pressure cookers that design energy efficient electric pressure cookers suitable for use in off-and weak-grid settings. Winners and finalists of the competition will be eligible for up to US$200 thousand prize money. The competition is open to companies in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The deadline for receipt of nominations is 27 March 2020. About the competition
U.S. National Academy of Sciences — Land and Resource Governance
PEER invites applications from African graduate students and their mentors interested in building their capacity for research on land and resource governance. The projects funded under this special call for proposals must be conducted by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, working in close partnership with university-based research mentors. PEER will award up to US$15 thousand per research team. Applicants must be based in Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Tanzania, or Zambia.The application deadline is 17 April 2020. More here
Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative — Reducing Deforestation and Forest Degradation
Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) supports efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. Civil society organizations are invited to submit proposals for projects that reverse and reduce the loss of tropical forests. Priority geographic focus for funding are Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Guyana, DR Congo, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, Liberia, Ethiopia and Indonesia. However, strategic projects focusing on other important tropical forest countries will also be considered. Projects should cover a five-year period. Priority will be given to projects with a total budget above NOK 20 million. The deadline for applications is 19 May 2020. Find the call
European Commission — Circular Economy and Local Development in Ghana
The European Commission provides funding to support actions that will promote a circular economy and local development in Ghana. Projects should aim to contribute to a more sustainable and healthier environment while creating local employment opportunities, or develop technology for the management of community waste to improve sanitation and generate income. The project budget may range from €800 thousand to €1.5 million. Eligibility extends to non-profit civil society organizations from Ghana or the European Union. The deadline for the submission of concept notes is 28 April 2020. Find details here