Each year, the Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum Awards recognize Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners in Africa for their economic performance and contribution to Africa’s growth and social development. There are 8 award categories, including agribusiness and renewable energy. Nominations should only be made relating to achievements made by a female entrepreneur and national of an African country. Nominees can be nominated or self-nominated. The deadline for entries is 03 August 2026. AWIEF Awards
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iF International Forum Design GmbH — Social Impact Prize
The iF Social Impact Prize aims to publish and support design projects that contribute to solving urgent challenges and help to improve living conditions in the developing world. Solutions should already be established and help to solve well-known issues in any category of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The best projects will share a cash prize of €100 thousand in total. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, companies, and foundations (student concepts will not be accepted). Social projects can be submitted until 19 August 2026. iF Social Impact Prize
Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship — Training for Social Entrepreneurs
The Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship accepts applications for an accelerator program focused on social enterprises working on women’s economic power and/or climate resilience. The program is designed for established social entrepreneurs who directly serve people living in poverty who suffer disproportionately from climate change. Climate resilience falls into one of the following three categories: sustainable energy, availability of sustainable management of water and sanitation, and climate-smart agriculture. Non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid social enterprises that have a clear commitment to an earned revenue model with the potential for scale are all encouraged to apply. There are no geographical limitations. The application deadline is 16 October 2026. Training for Social Entrepreneurs
Efico Foundation — Support for Coffee Producers
EFICO Foundation supports coffee farmers and their families through training and education programs, sustainable income increase, resilience for climate change, infrastructure support, and natural resource protection. About every 3 years, the Foundation organizes a project initiation round and funds projects that aim to improve the living conditions of coffee producers and their communities. Preference is given to projects having a clear strategy to become self-sustaining and creating a leverage effect. Applicants receive a full application form after contact. Efico Foundation
GreenCape — Afri GreenPitch Challenge
GreenCape and Westerwelle Startup Haus Mombasa invite entrepreneurs to enter the 2026 FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge. The competition is open to pre-growth, sales-generating green businesses located in Botswana, eSwatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Tanzania. Eligible entries must offer economically viable business solutions in circular economy and waste, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, sustainable mobility, or water and wastewater. Finalists receive mentorship, access to funding networks, and a chance to pitch to investors, with the winner and finalists competing for cash and in-kind prizes valued at approximately US$20 thousand. The deadline for entries is 30 June 2026. Afri GreenPitch Challenge
International Indigenous Women’s Forum — Support for Indigenous Women’s Organizations
The International Indigenous Women’s Forum invites applications for its 2026 Ayni Fund to support initiatives that promote the rights and development of Indigenous communities. Grassroots groups, networks, and organizations led by Indigenous women globally are eligible to apply, provided they have not previously received funding from this program. The call supports projects focused on seven key themes, including economic empowerment, climate change resilience, and the prevention of violence against women. Funding amounts are not explicitly specified on the main portal, though the fund provides direct financial grants alongside technical accompaniment. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2026. Ayni Fund
EIT Food — Regenerative Agriculture Digital Learning Platform
EIT Food invites applications to enhance and scale its Future Farm Lab, an immersive 3D digital learning platform focused on regenerative agriculture. This open call selects a single legally established organisation with expertise in digital learning and immersive technologies to expand educational content and improve the platform’s infrastructure over a three-year project period. Eligible applicants must be based in European Union member states or countries associated with Horizon Europe. The opportunity offers €370,000 in total funding, and the selected partner must provide a minimum 10% co-funding match. The application deadline is 07 July 2026. Know more
UN Food Systems Coordination Hub — Youth Leadership Program
The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub invites applications for the second cohort of its Youth Leadership Program to build a global network of emerging leaders driving food systems transformation. This two-year fellowship is open to individuals between 18 and 35 years old who are proficient in English and hold nationality in a low- or middle-income country, with particular emphasis on Africa, Asia and the Pacific, or Latin America and the Caribbean. Applicants must demonstrate experience leading or contributing to initiatives in food systems, sustainable development, or climate action. The program provides comprehensive leadership development, peer mentorship, and direct exposure to global United Nations partners and expert networks. The deadline for applications is 13 July 2026. Youth Leadership Program
Social Nest Foundation — Startup Challenge
The Social Nest Foundation invites applications for its 2026 Startup Challenge to support early- and growth-stage ventures driving social and environmental transformation. Legally incorporated startups from any country are eligible to apply, provided they have a validated minimum viable product or a product already on the market. The competition focuses on five innovation areas, including climate tech, smart cities, agritech, health, and inclusive economic systems. The single winning startup receives a €10 thousand cash prize, alongside international pitch opportunities and matchmaking sessions with investors in Valencia, Spain. The application deadline is 14 July 2026. Link
African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum — Pitch n Grow Competition
The African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum invites applications for its Pitch n Grow competition. The program offers early-stage and high-growth women-led African startups the opportunity to present their business models directly to an audience of international investors, venture capitalists, and corporate executives during the annual forum. Eligible applicants must be female founders or business leaders running enterprises based in any African country. The competition focuses on providing market visibility, technical mentoring, and investor match-making; however, specific monetary grant awards are not disclosed. The application deadline is 20 July 2026. Pitch n Grow Competition