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
awards/prizes
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
International Development Research Centre — Research Ideas Competition
Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) announces a new Research Ideas Competition to promote health, sustainability and equity in low- and middle-income countries through food system change. The goal is to inspire novel research ideas that aim to strengthen policy interventions, population health, environmental sustainability and/or health, gender and social equity. IDRC will select 10 applications who will receive C$10 thousand each. The call is open to students who are enrolled at a doctoral or post-doctoral program at a recognized university in Canada or a low- and middle-income country. The deadline for applications is 11 December 2020. Research Ideas Competition
African Academy of Sciences — Prize for Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation
The Olusegun Obasanjo Prize for Scientific Discovery and/or Technological Innovation honors African scientists who have made outstanding contributions in scientific discovery or technological innovation. The bi-annual prize will be awarded in each of the following fields: (1) Biotechnology, (2) Energy, (3) Information and Communication Technologies, or (4) Material Sciences. The prize may be awarded to an individual or jointly to two or more persons who will share the cash award of US$5 thousand. The prize is open to all African scientists and technologists. Candidates have to be nominated but self-nominations will also be accepted. The last date for receipt of nominations is 22 December 2020. Details here
Kingdom of Bahrain — King Hamad Award for Sustainable Development
The Kingdom of Bahrain seeks youth contribution and projects that enable youth participation for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The first category of the King Hamad Award is open to individuals (under the age of 30) or a youth-focused entity that develop initiatives to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet’s natural resources and climate, and promote peace. Five winners will receive US$20 thousand each. The second category is open to governmental, private sector, media, and nonprofit entities. Three winners will receive US$25 thousand each. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2020. More information
OpenIDEO — Reimagine Charitable Giving Challenge
The Reimagine Charitable Giving Challenge seeks innovative digital ideas on how we might reinforce a culture of generosity by creating charitable giving solutions that are more accessible, inclusive, and effective. Ideas, concepts, startups and organizations at any stage of development are invited to participate and may be submitted to the challenge. Up to 10 concepts will be selected as finalists and receive a share of up to US$100 thousand in prize funding. Submissions are accepted until 06 November 2020. Click for details
SVG Ventures — THRIVE Africa Challenge
Silicon Valley Global Ventures is an investment, technology and advisory firm that invests in companies that go through their accelerator program. The THRIVE Africa Challenge seeks innovative solutions specifically designed for the African agrifood industry. SVG Ventures will select the best startups and scale-ups for investment. The winner will participate in the Silicon Valley Startup Bootcamp (Summer 2021) and have the opportunity to pitch their idea in front of global investors. The challenge is open to agrifood companies in Africa. The application deadline is 20 November 2020. Link to THRIVE Africa
NaturVision Filmfestival — Documentary Competition
NaturVision is a nature and environmental film festival in Ludwigsburg (German) with focus on documentary productions on the subjects of nature, wildlife, people, environment, and sustainability. NaturVision seeks film entries for its 2021 festival in 12 different categories. The competition is open to new and established filmmakers as well as television production companies from anywhere in the world. The “NaturVision Competition” awards prizes ranging from €1 thousand to €10 thousand in various categories. Early submission is free of charge until 30 November 2020. Link to the NaturVision Competition
Nestlé — Creating Shared Value Prize for a Waste-Free Future
Nestlé and Ashoka welcome applications to the Nestlé “Creating Shared Value” Prize. The 2020 Prize seeks innovative solutions to address global pollution challenges and supports initiatives that work towards a waste-free future. Social enterprises, for-profit businesses and NGOs worldwide are eligible to apply. Applications from local grassroots organizations are preferred over applications from international large-scale organizations. Up to five winners will share a cash prize of CHF250 thousand. The deadline for applications is 06 December 2020. Guidelines
African Development Bank — Youth Agripreneur AgriPitch Competition
The African Development Bank connects youth-led African businesses with global investors. The goal of the AgriPitch Competition is to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture among youth in Africa and improve livelihoods through inclusive growth. African companies are invited to submit their project proposals for consideration. The African Development Bank will award shortlisted businesses between up to US$40 thousand in the form of grant capital. The application deadline is 15 October 2020. Details here