The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) supports the private sector to expand its clean energy technologies to Africa’s rural communities. The AECF Innovation Fund is looking to invest between US$100 thousand and US$300 thousand to support business growth for impactful innovations across clean cooking and productive use of energy technology sectors. The co-financing requirement is a minimum of 30% of the project cost. Eligibility extends to the African private sector (for-profit as well as non-profit) in Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, and Sierra Leone. Applications close 26 November 2021. AECF Innovation Fund
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Asian Development Bank — Energy Efficiency Innovation Challenge
Energy Efficiency Innovation Challenge calls for the submission of business ideas or solutions that can contribute to lowering energy consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Eligibility extends to companies operating or based in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The deadline for submissions of EOIs is 01 November 2021. Energy Efficiency Innovation Challenge
U.S. Agency for International Development — Innovative and Resilient Agriculture Market Systems
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications for a cooperative agreement to implement the USAID Feed The Future (Promoting Innovative and Resilient Agriculture Market Systems) program in Mozambique. Feed The Future supports producers and small to medium sized enterprises in agriculture to increase their profitability using a market systems development approach, while increasing their resilience to climate change. USAID intends to provide approximately US$25.5 million in total USAID funding over a 5 year period. Eligibility for this RFA is not restricted. Local organizations may partner with multiple applicants. The closing date for applications is 22 November 2021. Link
United Nations Environment Programme — Pilot Projects for Efficient and Resilient Energy Systems
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launches a call on digitalization for flexible and resilient energy systems. The initiative aims to step up global climate action and uptake of clean energy models. UNEP intends to support the implementation of pilot projects across Brazil, Colombia, Morocco, Tunisia, India, Indonesia and South Africa. Projects must cater to the increasingly urgent need to ensure efficiency and resilience of power systems to enable cost-effective clean energy transitions, mainly based on renewables. Applicants can submit a project for a maximum of €1.8 million. Candidates will need to be part of an international consortium that includes both public and private actors. Applications must be submitted before the deadline on 30 November 2021. Details here
Milken Institute and Motsepe Foundation — Prize in AgriTech
The Milken-Motsepe Prize in AgriTech is a global competition for innovative solutions to increase economic value to farmers, from seed to sale. Registration is free and open to anyone, with a US$1 million grand prize available for the winning team, and US$1 million in additional prizes. First, teams submit their design and business model. An independent panel of expert judges will select up to 25 teams to receive US$10 thousand each. In the finalist round, teams develop their prototypes and conduct field tests on small and medium-sized farms in Africa. To compete, agritech solutions have to be registered by 08 December 2021. Milken-Motsepe Prize in AgriTech
Famae — Sustainable Innovations Challenge
The company Famae seeks innovative and concrete solutions to fight against climate change, everywhere in the world, around waste, water, food, habitat, energy and mobility. Solutions should be pragmatic, efficient, durable, and money-saving to make life easier for urban citizens while reducing their environmental footprint. Individuals, teams, businesses, government entities, universities and organizations are eligible to apply. The maximum award is €1 million which may be allocated to a single exceptional project to cover the production of a prototype. Applications will be accepted until 15 October 2021. Find the terms and conditions
Ministry of Economic Affairs Taiwan — Taiwan Excellence Awards
The “Taiwan Excellence: Sharing is Caring” campaign solicits proposals for philanthropic events on issues relating to social concerns and environmental protection. The three best proposals will be awarded US$10 thousand each. The funds for executing each of the three best proposals shall be decided by the organizers, provided that the funds for implementation do not exceed US$150 thousand. Any natural persons or legal persons may submit proposals. Proposals must be submitted by 31 October 2021. Taiwan Excellence Awards
EIT Climate-KIC — Innovation Call for Climate Solutions
EIT Climate-KIC aims to support the development of innovative commercial products or services that achieve climate impact through entrepreneurship and commercial means. EIT Climate-KIC seeks to finance innovators, researchers, scientists, coaches, and experts to join forces in projects that aim to bring innovative solutions to the European market. Innovative actions should address a decarbonization or climate adaptation challenge. EIT anticipates making up to €5 million funding available with a 20% to 40% contribution towards each project’s total budget. The call closes for applications on 18 November 2021. Innovation Call
United States Agency for International Development — Environmental Protection Activity in Serbia
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Together for Environmental Protection activity in Serbia. USAID will assist Serbia’s biodiversity and environmental protection through provision of capacity building, advocacy support, public awareness and cross-sectoral cooperation. USAID contribution is US$5 million, over the 5-year period of performance. For-profit or nonprofit organizations, as well as institutions of higher education, are eligible to submit an application. The closing date for application is 09 October 2021. More
MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab — Arab Startup Competition 2022
The Arab Startup Competition is a yearly competition run by the MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab in three different tracks: Ideas; Startups; and Social Entrepreneurship. Previous winners include examples in agricultural irrigation, transportation efficiency, and other green themes. The winning entrepreneurs are awarded prizes of up to US$50 thousand as well as training, mentorship, coaching, media exposure, and networking opportunities. Eligible enterprises can be located in any Arab country, and each team must have at least two members. The application deadline is 06 December 2021. Link to the competition