The Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge invites industry partners and creative innovators to co-develop sustainable solutions in key areas such as sustainable materials, packaging, zero-waste, and more. Participants have the chance to collaborate with major partners and access funding to develop their solutions. Prizes include potential grant support (US$75 thousand from Hexagon Group), as well as funding and real-world testing facilitated by industry pioneers. The challenge is open to startups, small to medium enterprises, institutes of higher learning, and research institutes across the world. The application deadline is 27 January 2025. Details here
business/enterprise
EnDev — Renewable Energy Uganda
EnDev offers Business Development Services support through targeted mentorship, training, and coaching in thematic areas that promote key business processes and operations to interested enterprises in the solar and cooking sectors in Uganda. The target is to support selected solar and cooking enterprises to grow their business and the renewable energy subsector in general. Applications are open to small and medium enterprises operating in the solar and clean cooking sectors in Uganda. Enterprises can apply until 13 November 2024. Details
Mastercard Foundation Fund — Agribusiness Challenge Fund
The Mastercard Foundation Fund calls for proposals for the Agribusiness Challenge Fund aimed at African enterprises in the agriculture sector to create work opportunities at scale. Selected businesses will receive grants ranging from US$ 500 thousand to US$ 2.5 million disbursed over a 3-year period. The Fund targets African agri-businesses in Sub-Saharan African countries. The application will close on 22 November 2024. Agribusiness Challenge Fund
Convergence — Asia Climate Solutions Design Grant
The Asia Climate Solutions (ACS) Design Grant awards grant funding for the design and launch of innovative blended finance solutions for climate transition and resilience in Asia. The grant will target critical climate mitigation and adaptation sectors in Asia including nature-based solutions, clean energy transition, and sustainable cities and infrastructure. Feasibility study grants range between US$50 thousand to US$200 thousand. Proof-of-concept grants range between US$200 thousand to US$400 thousand. Proposals will only be accepted from organizations or consortiums of organizations. The next application deadline is 22 November 2024. Asia Climate Solutions Design Grant
HCLTech — Climate Action Grant
HCLTech accepts applications for the Climate Action Grant which provides grants to non-governmental organizations combating climate change and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity across the Americas. HCLTech accepts proposals for climate action in focus areas such as wildlife and biodiversity conservation; land and ocean action; clean energy; climate advocacy; campaigns; and climate risk reduction. One NGO will receive US$500 thousand, while two others will receive US$250 thousand each. The application deadline is 20 December 2024. Climate Action Grant
ProVeg International — Grants
ProVeg Grants provides funding to diet-change organizations and projects that align with ProVeg‘s mission to reduce the global consumption of animals by 50%. The ProVeg Grants program offers expertise and support to organizations. ProVeg provides both financial support and assistance with capacity-building. Financial support is between US$5,000 and US$50 thousand per year. Applicants must be individuals or organizations focused on food-system transformation. ProVeg has four application deadlines per year: 01 March, 01 June, 01 September, and 01 December. ProVeg Grants
World Food Programme — Iraq Innovation Challenge
The World Food Programme (WFP) invites innovators, entrepreneurs, and organizations from Iraq to contribute solutions to strengthen the capacities of local communities to adapt to climate change and improve livelihood opportunities. WFP will provide comprehensive support to selected teams, facilitating the development and scaling of the most promising solutions. Selected innovation team will be eligible to receive up to US$25 thousand in equity-free funding. Eligibility extends to for-profit, not-for-profit, social enterprises. Applications can be submitted until 12 October 2024. Link
U.S. African Development Foundation — Agricultural Cooperatives in Zambia
The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF, invites applications for grant financing and local support from enterprises, cooperatives, and producer groups. Proposals will be accepted from registered agricultural cooperatives, producer groups, and small- and medium-sized enterprises in Zambia. Grant awards are up to US$25 thousand. Organizations must be 100% African-owned and led. Applications have to be submitted by 18 October 2024. USADF Zambia
United Nations Development Programme — Energy Accelerator
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) seeks startups with a solution to solve Africa’s energy challenges. The GreenTech Hub aims to foster startups developing groundbreaking solutions in renewable energy tailored to African needs. The program provides technical support, mentorship, access to funding, and advocacy to support green enterprises to grow and scale their businesses. The most viable and high-impact startups selected from the program will receive long-term support for 6 months. Startups must be legally registered and operating within Africa. The deadline for applications is 20 October 2024. GreenTech Hub
Catalytic Climate Finance Facility — Climate Finance
The Catalytic Climate Finance Facility (CC Facility) supports blended finance structures targeting climate action in developing economies. The program provides technical assistance and working capital to accelerate the scaling and deployment of market-ready finance vehicles that target climate change mitigation and/or adaptation. The CC Facility offers grant funding of up to US$500 thousand. Applicants do not need to be domiciled in a developing country but end beneficiaries and target activities must. The deadline to submit a concept note is 24 October 2024. Know more