Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) seeks to impact development and support social inclusion with a special focus on poor and vulnerable populations across Latin America and the Caribbean through bridging grants and investments in early-stage entrepreneurs. IDB Lab invites investment management firms to apply for VC funds. Fund managers who wish to participate in the selection process must primarily invest in nascent or emerging early-stage ecosystems in LAC and specialize in high-impact investments and sectors with pronounced structural capital gaps, such as Health/Biotech, Edtech/Workertech, Agtech/Foodtech and Climatetech. Early-stage investment funds are a minimum of US$20 thousand. Proposals will be received on a rolling basis, with quarterly reviews. Venture Capital Fund
business/enterprise
Impact-R — Energy, WASH and Food Security Nexus
Impact-Driven & Action-Based Research (Impact-R) invites microfinance institutions, NGOs, cooperatives, and technology providers with a strong social mission working in developing countries to conduct household data collection studies. The purpose of the studies is to investigate the nexus between access to energy, access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and food security, through a detailed needs/market assessment at the household level. Selected institutions will receive support for the field staff involved in the data collection and will have the opportunity to collaborate with leading research institutions. In addition, Impact-R will offer scholarships for desk research. Eligibility extends to institutions working in rural regions in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The application deadline has been extended to 25 February 2021. Impact-Driven & Action-Based Research
Transforming Education for Sustainable Futures — Climate Action Research Network
The Transforming Education for Sustainable Futures (TESF) Network Plus aims to assist education policy makers, institutions, community-based organizations and businesses to implement education policies and practices that can contribute to environmentally sustainable development. TESF invites transdisciplinary research proposals from Rwanda, Somalia, and South Africa. Proposals with focus on sustainable livelihoods, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action are welcome. The Network anticipates funding approximately 70 research projects ranging from £5-10 thousand, £10-30 thousand, and £30-100 thousand. The deadline for the submission of expressions of interest is 01 March 2021. More
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Conservation in the Mediterranean Basin (Lebanon)
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for small grants (up to US$20 thousand) for projects that support the sustainable management of water catchments through integrated approaches for the conservation of threatened freshwater biodiversity in Lebanon. Eligibility extends to non-governmental organizations, community groups, universities and private enterprises. The ecosystem profile technical summary is available in English and French. LOIs must be submitted by 12 March 2021. Link to CEPF
Agropolis Foundation — Award for Transformative Agroecological Research
The Biovision Foundation, in partnership with the Agropolis Foundation, awards the SHIFT Prize to recognize collaborative and transdisciplinary research for development projects and initiatives that have made exemplary contributions to the agroecological transformation of food systems. The winning project will receive €20 thousand unrestricted funding to support its further development and strengthen its impacts. Eligibility extends to projects and initiatives contributing to an evidence-based food system transformation anywhere in the world. The application deadline is 15 March 2021. SHIFT Prize
What Design Can Do — No Waste Challenge
The No Waste Challenge is a global competition by What Design Can Do (WDCD) in partnership with the IKEA Foundation. WDCD invites creative thinkers to submit innovative solutions to reduce waste and to rethink the entire production and consumption cycle. The winner receives €10 thousand in funding and a tailor-made development program to turn their project into a reality. The deadline for submissions is 01 April 2021. No Waste Challenge
French Agency for Ecological Transition — Mediterranean Climate Change Adaptation Awards
Mediterranean Climate Change Adaptation Awards reward exemplary and concrete actions to adapt to climate change in the Mediterranean. The competition is aimed at local authorities, universities, companies and NGOs (in partnership with a local public stakeholder) which take action and develop solutions to adapt the Mediterranean regions to the changing climate. Selected partners receive tailored support (study tour, meetings with technical and financial partners), invitations to an international workshop (ECCA 2021), and international promotion. Applications close 15 April 2021. More about the competition
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Conservation in the Mediterranean Basin (Balkans)
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for small grants (up to US$30 thousand) in support of biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean Basin. Funding will be provided in support of sustainable management of water catchments/freshwater biodiversity and cultural landscapes in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Eligibility extends to non-governmental organizations, community groups, universities and private enterprises. The ecosystem profile technical summary is available in English and French. LOIs must be submitted by 26 February 2021. Find details
ygap — Poverty Solutions for Bangladesh
The ygap accelerator provides support to entrepreneurs from Bangladesh. Entrepreneurs and startups with project ideas and poverty solutions for their local community are invited to apply for the one week training program. The five-day workshop (April 2021) will provide social entrepreneurs with access to training designed to focus on business growth. Participants will gain access to professionals (designers, lawyers, coaches, etc.) and have the opportunity to apply for small grants. Interested entrepreneurs have to apply by 31 March 2021. About ygap Bangladesh
Techstars — Global Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs
Techstars provides funding and mentorship programs for entrepreneurs. Techstars Impact Accelerator is for for-profit founders building tech to solve social & environmental problems. Programs include Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator focusing on the tech/digital side of food and agriculture, and Techstars Sustainability Accelerator for entrepreneurs with commercially viable technologies that can rapidly scale to help sustainably provide food and water and address global issues like climate change, among many others. Applications open six times a year, and stay open typically for 12 weeks (please check application deadlines carefully). Explore