UNESCO invites applications for the international photo contest “Nomadic Culture of Central Asia: Preserving Traditions and Biodiversity”. Professional and amateur photographers aged 18 and older from any country may submit original photographs taken in Central Asia that highlight pastoral traditions, nomadic communities, livestock diversity, or biodiversity and rangeland landscapes. Finalists’ photographs will be exhibited in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in autumn 2026. The submission deadline is 09 August 2026. Central Asia Photo Contest
biodiversity
Purpose Earth — Grants and Mentorship
Purpose Earth is a grant and mentorship program empowering leaders and their transformative solutions to our global challenges. Purpose Earth supports projects that are finding creative solutions within the areas of environmental protection, community activation, and cultural collaboration. Grant funding is up to US$10 thousand per recipient. The deadline to apply is 30 August 2026. Purpose Earth Grant Award
European Commission — Sustainable Management of Caribbean OCTs’ Natural Capital
The European Commission invites proposals to strengthen the sustainable management of natural capital in the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories, specifically Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. The call supports projects in two lots: sustainable agriculture, food security, and water management; and marine biodiversity protection and invasive species management. Eligible applicants include nonprofit legal entities such as NGOs, public sector operators, and international organizations established in eligible EU Member States or Caribbean OCTs. The total budget is €20.85 million, with grants ranging from €6.5 million to €10.425 million. The application deadline is 28 August 2026. More information
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Conservation in the Mediterranean Basin
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for large grants (US$50 thousand – US$180 thousand). The call funds projects that strengthen civil society engagement in protecting globally significant biodiversity through actions such as species conservation, habitat restoration, sustainable natural resource management, and the expansion and effective management of Key Biodiversity Areas. Eligibility extends to non-governmental organizations, community groups, universities and private enterprises. The ecosystem profile technical summary is available in English, French, and Arabic. LOIs must be submitted by 18 September 2026. Click here
Government of Canada — Biodiversity Financing
The International Biodiversity Program by halting and reversing biodiversity loss in collaboration with women and Indigenous Peoples. The program focuses on reversing biodiversity loss by addressing its direct drivers beyond climate change—namely, land- and sea-use change, the overexploitation of species, invasive alien species, pollution, and agriculture. Interested applicants can apply for funding through an unsolicited proposal. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis. More information
Saïd Business School — Global Climate Tech Challenge
The Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford hosts a global competition to encourage tech-driven solutions to the climate crisis. Teams of three to five high school students aged 15 to 18, as well as individual high school teachers from any country, are eligible to submit tech-based ideas or lesson plans addressing issues like air pollution, extreme weather, food security, biodiversity, or water scarcity. Finalists receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Oxford to present their ideas, while the winning student team receives a full scholarship to the Future Climate Tech Innovators summer school and the winning teacher receives a place on an Oxford Executive Education program. The deadline for entries is 17 August 2026. Global Climate Tech Challenge
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
Future for Nature Foundation — Future for Nature Award 2027
The Future for Nature Award aims to stimulate a new generation of nature conservation leaders. The award is made to candidates of any nationality or residence, not older than age 35, who have achieved substantial and long-term benefit to the conservation status of one or more animal and/or plant species, or that of a specific population. Work-related to the conservation and protection of endangered species is a priority. The award is made to individuals, not organizations. Each of the three award winners will be given a cash prize and a sculpture. The winners are expected to invest their prize of €50 thousand in a conservation project of their own choice. The application deadline is 23 August 2026. Future for Nature Award
Both ENDS — JWH Initiative
The Joke Waller-Hunter (JWH) Initiative offers grants to advance the leadership of young individuals working for or affiliated with environmental civil society organizations in developing and emerging countries. JWH especially encourages the nomination of young women and local community leaders. Grants range from €2,500 to €7,000. The next nomination deadline is 31 August 2026. Details here
Art Partner — Earth Art Contest
The Earth Partner Prize is an international art competition that invites creatives aged 14 to 30 from all backgrounds to submit original works—across any medium including visual art, film, performance, writing, fashion, digital creations, and more—that address the ecological crisis. Each participant may submit one project. Eight finalists will receive cash prizes of US $10 thousand, $5 thousand, or $2 thousand, and an additional 20 participants will receive honorable mentions from a distinguished, global jury. Applications must be submitted by 07 October 2026. Earth Partner Prize