The UNWTO Sustainable Development Goals Global Startup Competition seeks innovative startups that directly contribute to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The competition features 17 categories, each one representing a Sustainable Development Goal. Startups from all over the world and all economic sectors are invited to participate. The winning startups receive a pitch at a UNWTO Demo Day, capacity and business development training, access to technological support, and connection to the UNWTO Innovation Network. The deadline for candidatures is 20 September 2020. Link to the competition
business/enterprise
UK Department for International Development — Agri-Tech Catalyst for Africa
The Agri-Tech Catalyst aims to increase the pace and scale of uptake of agricultural innovation by farmers in Africa. Projects should focus in any of three categories: early-stage technical feasibility; industrial research; or late-stage experimental development. Project leaders must be UK businesses (or UK research organizations in the case of early-stage technical feasibility). Projects should include at least one consortium member from an eligible African country. The amount of project co-funding available varies from £100 thousand to £1 million depending on category and business size. The deadline for registration is 21 October 2020. Find the call
Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income Countries — Special Call for Proposals on Firms and Climate Change
The Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income Countries (PEDL) Initiative announces a special research grant program specifically related to understanding the relationship between private sector development and the environment. The objective of PEDL is to fund cutting-edge, policy-oriented research that could be published in leading academic journals. Exploratory Research Grant (ERG) are grants of between £10 thousand and £40 thousand. Grants will fund research assistance, data collection and new surveys in LICs. Proposed projects must be relevant to policy in low-income countries in order to be eligible. The deadline for this special call is 31 August 2020. Link
Olam International — Prize for Food Security 2021
The Olam Prize for Innovation in Food Security, in partnership with Agropolis Fondation, honors and offers financial support to an outstanding research project for its potential impact on the availability, affordability, accessibility, or adequacy of food. Olam invites applications from research projects in plant science, soil science, nutritional science, agricultural sciences, and any other field of scientific research impacting food security, focused on any part of the agricultural supply chain. The winning research project will receive US$75 thousand in unrestricted funding to support further development of the research project. The deadline for applications is 11 January 2021. Link
United States Agency for International Development — Equal Access to Natural Resources
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announces the Resilient, Inclusive, & Sustainable Environments (RISE) Challenge. USAID seeks innovative interventions that prevent and respond to gender-based violence across programs that address the access, use and management of natural resources. The challenge aims to fund organizations to innovatively adapt and implement promising or proven interventions that enhanced environmental action and women’s empowerment. USAID will award up to three awards in the amount of up to US$300 thousand. Eligibility extends to all organizations regardless of type (e.g., NGO; for profit; not-for-profit; community organizations, etc.) with local presence where USAID is currently operational. Submissions are due on 05 August 2020. Rise Challenge
FoodTech Accelerator — Global FoodTech Accelerator
The Global Foodtech Accelerator 2020 is open for applications. The Program seeks 10 startups with innovative solutions and international partners to improve agrifood and retail sectors. Selected projects will receive an economic contribution, office space, mentorship and networking opportunities. Eligibility extends to Italian and foreign companies and individuals. The application deadline is 30 September 2020. Link
InVivo Group — AgFood Climate Change Challenges
InVivo’s Quest Competition seeks technological and ecological innovations to answer to climate change challenges in the AgFood industry. The competition is open to start-ups which already have a commercialized product or service with technology focus. The current 4th Quest is open to businesses in Europe, divided into 7 geographical areas. The laureate of each geographical area will earn a “business connexions” pack including consulting from leading agfood companies and a two day stay in Paris, including lunch with the InVivo Executive Committee. Start-us from Eastern Europe may apply until 30 September 2020. Link
UK Government — Energy Catalyst: Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
The Energy Catalyst competition seeks innovative, market-focused energy solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa and/or South Asia. Projects must encourage the development of products and services that help countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia access low carbon energy. Early stage projects (feasibility studies) may apply for up to £300 thousand, mid stage projects (industrial research) for up to £1.5 million, and late stage projects (experimental development) for up to £5 million. Eligibility extends to UK based businesses, charities or academic institutions. International partnerships are strongly encouraged. The application deadline is 16 September 2020. Energy Catalyst
The Spindle — Digital Innovations for Africa, Asia and Latin America
The Spindle seeks the 30 most inspiring Digital Innovations from all over the world and from all types of organizations who are working towards a sustainable, just and inclusive world. The digital innovation or technology should contribute to closer cooperation between organisations working on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The 30 selected participants have the chance to record a pitch video with a professional filmmaker and will present their product during the Partos Innovation Festival (October 2020) to potential partners and investors. Applications can be submitted until 10 July 2020. Note: This opportunity is “first-come, first-served!” (the first 100 applications will be taken into account). About
European Commission — Women’s Economic Empowerment in Afghanistan
The European Commission (EC) seeks to promote female entrepreneurship in agricultural value chains, by supporting Afghan women in developing and executing their business ideas, and women-led micro and small enterprises. The EC will financially support projects that strengthen the capacity of Afghan women to develop and execute their business ideas and foster respect for women’s role as economic agents. Applicants may request up to €5 million. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations established in the European Union or Afghanistan. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 03 August 2020. Here