The United Nations Development Program aims to foster the development of the blue economy in ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste. The ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge seeks to identify, finance, and support innovative solutions geared towards the conservation and sustainable management of marine ecosystems, coastal areas, and freshwater resources. Selected awardees receive US$40 thousand to pilot their innovations. The deadline is 31 May 2024. ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge
business/enterprise
United Nations — Action Awards for Sustainable Development Goals
The UN SDG Action Awards aim to support action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mobilizers, storytellers, campaigners, connectors, visualizers, and creatives fighting for sustainable development can apply. The Awards are open to individuals, organizations, governments, foundations, or private sector leaders worldwide. The winners will be announced at a special UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York City, USA. Applications have to be submitted before 17 June 2024. UN SDG Action Awards
SVG Ventures — Global Accelerator for Agrifood Tech Startups
Silicon Valley Global Ventures is an investment, technology, and advisory firm that invests in companies that go through their accelerator program. The THRIVE Global Impact Challenge seeks innovative startups advancing a more sustainable future for agriculture. Selected companies benefit from an accelerator program that provides investment, mentorship, and direct access to agriculture companies and farmers. The application deadline is 12 July 2024. THRIVE Global Impact Challenge
Common Fund for Commodities — Support for Commodity Development
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) provides financial and technical instruments to support projects proposed by enterprises, cooperatives, and institutions. Funding is targeted mainly to for-profit organizations and social enterprises for production, value chains, and marketing across a wide group of commodities (crops, tree crops, timber, bamboo and rattan, minerals, and others). Projects need to focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Innovative solutions for new agri-tech applications, access to renewable energy, or expanding environmental services are especially welcome. This 25th call for proposals has a deadline of 01 October 2024. Link to the 25th Call for Proposals
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Direct Assistance in Sustainable Forestry
The EU’s Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan includes grants of technical assistance to benefit government institutions and private-sector organizations. Projects need to address the identified themes in FLEGT. Currently, requests can be submitted from entities in VPA countries and non-VPA countries. The VPA countries are Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Guyana, and Honduras. Grants are up to US$55 thousand. Eligibility extends to government institutions and non-profit organizations. Applications (English, French, Spanish) can be submitted at any time. More about FLEGT
African Development Bank — Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa
The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) provides catalytic finance to unlock private-sector investments in renewable energy. SEFA offers technical assistance and concessional finance instruments. Funding requests must be aligned with three strategic priorities: (1) Green Baseload; (2) Green Mini-Grids; and (3) Energy Efficiency. Technical assistance grants are available to public and private sector entities. Applications can be submitted anytime. Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Earth Observation Data
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) makes grants for supporting the use of satellite data in project design, monitoring, and evaluation. The recipient can be a non-profit organization, private sector company, university, vocational training provider, or research institute. The deadline to receive proposals is 30 May 2024. Earth Observation Data
Inter-American Development Bank — Boosting Water Sector Innovation
The Inter-American Development Bank launches the Aquacerta Challenge. The challenge supports innovative solutions from the private sector that can be adopted by service providers in Latin America and the Caribbean to ensure safely managed drinking water and the resilience of water systems. Applicants can apply for contingent recovery financing from US$300 thousand to a maximum of US$500 thousand each. However, applicants should be able to contribute at least 50% in counterpart funds. Eligibility extends to legally established entities from the private sector such as startups, small and medium enterprises, and social businesses. The application deadline is 31 May 2024. Aquacerta Challenge
Halcyon — EquityTech Fellowship
The EquityTech Fellowship empowers entrepreneurs leveraging technology to increase social and financial inclusion and close equity gaps in wealth, education, and accessibility. Fellows accepted into this program will receive a US$10 thousand per venture equity-free stipend to use toward travel expenses, eight-week residency at Halcyon’s facilities in Georgetown, Washington, DC, training, and pro bono legal support. Eligibility extends to for-profit ventures based anywhere in the world. Applications are accepted until 31 May 2024. About the EquityTech Fellowship
Visegrad Fund — Western Balkans Grant Program
The International Visegrad Fund calls for grant projects that will facilitate the transfer of know-how between non-governmental and civil society organizations in Visegrad countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary) and the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia). Thematic areas include environment and sustainable development, among others. The program is open to any legal entity or natural person worldwide, with preference for projects submitted by non-profit and non-governmental organizations; public educational, cultural, and research institutions; and municipalities and local governments. Applicants can apply by 01 June 2024. Visegrad+ Grants