The One Young World Summit seeks startups and entrepreneurs with solutions to the world’s most pressing issues, including climate change and the challenges of globalization. Applicants can be of any nationality but must be between 18-35 years old. Five winners will receive a fully funded trip to participate in the One Young World Summit in Munich (Germany) in October 2020. The application deadline for nominations and applications is 23 April 2020. More about the award
awards/prizes
Co-Creation Hub — Business Ideas for a better Africa
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
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
Roddenberry Foundation — Roddenberry Prize 2020
The Roddenberry Foundation invites proposals for projects that address the challenges of an unpredictable and fast-changing global landscape. The four winners of the Roddenberry Prize will each receive US$250 thousand for their work in one of the following fields: Education, Science, Environment, and Humanity. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, social enterprises, businesses, universities, and groups of individuals. Interested applicants and partners have to register by 10 April 2020. Link to the prize
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
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
United Nations Environment Programme — Young Champions of the Earth 2020
Young Champions of the Earth supports outstanding environmental initiatives of talented people worldwide between the ages of 18 and 30. The program is a global stage to showcase technological inventions and innovative business models that improve the planet’s health. The program will select seven Young Champions of the Earth every year — one from each of Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and West Asia. Each winner will receive US$15 thousand in seed funding, plus various opportunities for high-profile networking and entrepreneurship training. The deadline for applications is 10 April 2020. Become a champion
Ashoka — Act for Biodiversity Challenge
The “Act for Biodiversity Challenge,” supported by Vittel, seeks already-implemented solutions that engage people and organizations across sectors to preserve and restore biodiversity. Solutions can be designed for agriculture, urban environments, and forests. The applicants must be a nonprofit, for-profit, hybrid organization, or have a fiscal sponsor with an already implemented project beyond the idea stage (pilot projects are eligible). Up to four winners will receive a cash prize (a total of CHF 60 thousand will be distributed among the winners). Applications have to be submitted by 03 March 2020. About the challenge
African Center of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development — Innovative Business Ideas
The African Center of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development (ACEESD), in collaboration with World Bank and SIDA, invites students and individuals, both nationals of Rwanda and non-nationals, to submit their business ideas to develop a product aimed at a practical solution reflecting the real problems faced by communities in Rwanda and Africa. Selected entrepreneurs will attend a boot camp and receive mentorship, coaching and guidance to further develop their idea into a real business. The best five ideas will receive seed funding. Proposals have to be submitted by 06 March 2020. Click for details
InterAction — Photo Contest 2020
InterAction encourages photographers from all around the world to submit powerful photos that illustrate innovative, effective, and inspiring efforts in international relief and development. Examples of empowering women, innovative technology, food security and environmental development are within the contest’s theme, though entries are not limited to those areas. The Grand Prize Winner will receive US$1,000 and the winning photo will be showcased at InterAction’s 2020 Forum in April 2020, in Washington, DC (USA). The deadline for submissions is 11 March 2020. Submit your picture