The Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards recognizes projects and contributions in advancing the sustainable development goals in Commonwealth countries. The Award has five categories: (1) Well-being (i.e. health, education, human rights etc.); (2) Prosperity (i.e. economic development, trade, etc.); (3) Peace; (4) Planet and the natural environment; and (5) Partnerships for sustainable development. 15 winners will each receive a trophy, a certificate and prize money of £3 thousand. Eligibility extends to individuals, governments, social enterprises, and businesses in Commonwealth countries. The deadline for nominations is 31 January 2021. Innovation for Sustainable Development Award 2021
Asia-Pacific
RECOFTC — Video Competition 2020
RECOFTC seeks submissions to a video competition. This year’s video competition focuses on how our health and well-being depend on how we protect the forests and the environment around us. The video should highlight how protecting forests can prevent future pandemics. The contest is open to high school students, university students younger than 35 and students residing in the Asia-Pacific region. The winners of the competition will be recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and RECOFTC, and receive a GoPro camera. The submission deadline for videos is 08 November 2020. Forests Pandemics Video Competition
British Council — Funding for Climate Challenge Workshops
The British Council offers grant funding for interdisciplinary research workshops on climate change. Researcher Links Climate Challenge (RLCC) grants are designed to provide financial support to host virtual research workshops for participants from the UK and partner countries (Vietnam, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, Egypt, and Brazil). Lead applicants are required to take an interdisciplinary approach by bringing together early career researchers from different fields. Workshops must take place before the end of August 2021. The application deadline is 27 November 2020. Link
Climate Tracker — Southeast Asia Media Research Fellowship
Climate Tracker seeks young researchers with media experience to explore the green transition from COVID-19 in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The aim of the research project is to help develop a clearer understanding of the region’s media coverage of this theme and will involve interviews with several journalists to identify their challenges, needs for support, and capacity building. The application is open to journalists (aged 18-35) from Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Applications have to be submitted by 30 October 2020. More information
Cambodia Climate Change Alliance — Innovation Responding to Climate Change
The Cambodia Climate Change Alliance (CCCA) offers grants in support of Cambodia’s national priorities on climate change. The CCCA expects to award grants in amounts between US$50 thousand and US$100 thousand. Proposed projects should include innovative elements (technology or processes) and demonstrate a clear understanding of barriers to the adoption and scaling-up of the proposed innovation(s). The program is open to government ministries or agencies; NGOs (local and international based in Cambodia); and universities (based in Cambodia). The closing date for concept notes is 27 November 2020. Find information
European Commission — Overseas Biodiversity and Climate Change
BEST 2.0+ promotes the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of ecosystem services, including climate change adaptation and mitigation, in the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Pacific, Polar and Subpolar, and South Atlantic regions. Local authorities and civil society organizations are invited to submit projects with focus on local development, biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem services. The maximum grants amount is €60 thousand over a period of 19 months. The deadline for the submission of concept notes is 22 October 2020. BEST 2.0+
United Nations Institute for Training and Research — Disaster Risk Reduction Training Program for Women
The UNITAR Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction Training Program for Women in Pacific Ocean countries focuses on building resilience and enhancing security of the region. The training program is designed to encourage participants to gain knowledge in Disaster Risk Reduction and develop a country DRR Plan with consideration of both natural and biological hazards. The program is open to anyone living inside and from Cook Islands, Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, or Vanuatu. Applications will be received until 20 October 2020. Link to UNITAR Women’s Leadership
Business Partnerships Platform — COVID-19 Recovery
The Australian Government calls for partnerships to help support COVID-19 recovery in Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines, Timor-Leste and Tonga. The program seeks projects which create social impact in the following areas: green recovery (including tourism), economic opportunities (including agriculture, renewable energy), capacity building, and digitalisation. Selected projects will receive from A$100 thousand to A$500 thousand in funding to scale a business initiative for social impact. Businesses, social enterprises, investors, and organizations are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is 04 November 2020. Details here
Global Biodiversity Information Facility — Biodiversity Information for Development: Pacific
The Biodiversity Information for Development program aims to enhance capacity for effective mobilization and use of biodiversity data in support of decision- and policymaking for sustainable development in the Pacific region. GBIF offers support for four types of projects: (1) Regional biodiversity data mobilization to establish or strengthen international collaborations (maximum funding: €120 thousand for projects involving three or more countries); (2) National biodiversity data mobilization to respond to national priorities (maximum funding: €40 thousand); (3) Institution-level biodiversity data mobilization to mobilize biodiversity data relevant for sustainable development (maximum funding: €20 thousand); and (4) Data-use grants that build on existing relationships to provide data solutions that respond to a specific policy need (maximum funding: €60 thousand). Applicants must be legal entities such as government agencies, natural history museums, research institutes, universities, or NGOs located in the Pacific. Concept notes must be submitted by 26 November 2020. BID Pacific
United States Agency for International Development — Sustainable Coastal Fisheries Management in the Pacific Region
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications for a Cooperative Agreement to address the drivers of illegal fishing that are degrading coastal fisheries and biodiversity in the Pacific Islands. The overall goal is to co-develop an activity to support sustainable coastal fisheries and protection of associated coastal and marine ecosystems in the Pacific Islands region and increasing the self-reliance of Pacific Island partners. USAID intends to provide US$15 million in total funding over a five year period. USAID encourages applications from potential new partners such as U.S. and non-US non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, universities, and international organizations. USAID will not accept applications from individuals. The closing date for applications is 19 October 2020. Link