The World Bank Group invites applications for the “Sustainable Development Goals and Her Competition.” SDGs & Her is an online competition for women micro-entrepreneurs to showcase how they are supporting the SDGs through their business operations. Winners will receive leadership training, mentoring and will be flown to Washington DC, for an event at the World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings (April 2020). The competition is open to women who own micro and small enterprises. The deadline for the competition is 10 January 2020. About the competition
awards/prizes
Inter-American Development Bank — Rethink Plastics Challenge
The Inter-American Development Bank seeks innovative solutions that reduce or eliminate the production of single-use plastic and plastic waste in Latin America and the Caribbean. The challenge offers US$60 thousand in cash prizes. In addition, the winning submissions could be considered for a pilot project and receive a financial contribution of up to US$250 thousand. Individuals, teams and organizations are eligible to submit projects. The deadline to submit a solution is 14 January 2020. Find more information
African Union — Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards 2019
The African Union (AU) honors outstanding African scientists through the Kwame Nkrumah Awards for Scientific Excellence. The awards program is implemented at national level for young researchers; regional level for women scientists; and continental level open to all scientists. The current announcement calls for submissions at the African continental level to recognize outstanding science, for which it awards a prize of US$100 thousand. The closing date for submissions is 10 November 2019. Find the 2019 Edition
French Agency for Development — Digital Project for Sustainable Cities in Africa
The French Agency for Development (AFD) Digital Challenge seeks digital solutions for sustainable cities, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG). Solutions should focus on the basic needs of the urban population (e.g., access to water), foster local economic development (e.g., urban agri-food sector), or support the most vulnerable (e.g., alert systems in the context of an environmental disaster). The call is open to startups, associations, and research centers in Africa. The winner will receive €20 thousand. The deadline for application is 18 November 2019. More about the AFD Digital Challenge
British Council — Global Innovation Challenge
The British Council seeks creative digital ideas that has the potential to change the world and improve the lives of the world’s most disadvantaged people. Ideas have to focus on one of three Global Goals for Sustainable Development, including “Decent Work and Economic Growth” (which fits the category Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry). The winning pitch will get £20 thousand to invest in their idea and mentorship for a full year. The competition is open to anyone and everyone across the world. Applicants can choose to apply as an individual or an organisation. Applications have to be submitted by 10 January 2020. #IdeasChangeLives
Smogathon — Technology to Fight Air Pollution
Smogathon aims to fight air pollution through technology. Start-ups will compete for $15 thousand in cash and a contract to implement their innovation in Krakow, Poland. Smogathon welcomes participation from any group worldwide that works as a registered company, start-up, foundation, or research group with a legal entity. The finalists will compete in Krakow during the Global Clean Air Summit. The deadline for applications is 10 November 2019. Link
BeAnimal — Autumn Writing Competition
BeAnimal invited submissions to the autumn writing competition. Participants have to submit a short story (500-1000 words in length) about nature and sustainability. The grand prize is a trip to the Valley of Flowers National Park in India. The contest is open to anyone. Submissions have to be made in English. The submission deadline is 16 December 2019. More
ASEAN Foundation — FutureReady ASEAN Competition
Future Ready ASEAN is an online platform with learning tracks to foster digital skills, in particular computer science. The FutureReady ASEAN Competition invites ASEAN youth to develop a blog site on a pressing challenge in the ASEAN region across one of the four following sub-themes: Agriculture, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Water. The competition is open to all ASEAN youth aged 15 to 35. The finalists will be invited to present their blog at a final event in Bangkok, Thailand (28-29 November 2019). The winner receives US$2 thousand. Submissions close on 13 October 2019. About
Euromena Consulting — Awards for Sub-Saharan Africa Startups
Euromena Consulting invites applications for the 3rd Euromena Awards – Sub-Saharan Africa Edition. The awards are intended for companies or innovative projects with social, economic, environmental and/or societal impact. To be eligible, the startup must be based in a sub-saharan country. The three winners will receive 6 months of customized business consulting (coaching, mentorship, and advisory services), plus financial rewards – 1st place €5 thousand; 2nd place €3 thousand; 3rd place €2 thousand. Applications are invited until the end of October. Award details
International Food Policy Research Institute — Short Video Contest
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks short videos (1-2 minutes) for the “My Food our Future” video contest. The video should offer ideas and solutions to access healthy and affordable diets. Young filmmakers from all around the world have the chance to win a US$500 prepaid gift card. The competition is open to young filmmakers between the ages of 10 and 25. The deadline for submissions is 01 October 2019. More information