The UNCDF “Fond des Energies Renouvelables pour la Résilience du Burkina Faso” (FERR-BF) supports projects that accelerate the growth of income-generating activities by adopting renewable energy solutions. Grants will range from US$50 thousand to US$200 thousand. Eligibility extends to companies registered in Burkina Faso. The deadline for expressions of interest is 17 April 2020. Find out more
business/enterprise
One Young World — Entrepreneur of the Year Award
The One Young World Summit seeks startups and entrepreneurs with solutions to the world’s most pressing issues, including climate change and the challenges of globalization. Applicants can be of any nationality but must be between 18-35 years old. Five winners will receive a fully funded trip to participate in the One Young World Summit in Munich (Germany) in October 2020. The application deadline for nominations and applications is 23 April 2020. More about the award
UK Research Councils — Commercial Products for Sustainable Development
The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) will invest up to £9.3 million in demonstration-stage projects of commercial products and solutions that have the potential to transform lives in developing countries. The project must be relevant to one of 10 Sustainable Development Goals listed in the announcement, including SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 14: Life below Water; SDG 15: Life on Land. The maximum grant award per project is £60 thousand. The lead applicant must be a UK business and will distribute any funding to international (non-UK) partners. The deadline for applications is 07 May 2020. Find GCRF
Co-Creation Hub — Business Ideas for a better Africa
The Diaspora Challenge seeks scalable business solutions to social challenges in Africa. The challenge invites proposals in three thematic areas, including one on clean and affordable energy. The winning ideas will receive prototype funding of US$ 15 thousand, seed investment and mentorship to put their idea into action. Only Africans in diaspora are eligible. Ideas have to be submitted by 30 June 2020. About the Diaspora Challenge
Hivos — Producer of the Year Award
Hivos, in collaboration with the Kenya Flower Council and the Uganda Flowers Exporters Association, seeks applications for the “Producer of the Year Award” (POYA) in horticulture. POYA is interested in organizations and farms that create better working conditions, and strengthen women worker rights and overall labor rights. The call is open to all horticultural farms in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. The winners will be honored during the International Flower Trade Expo (IFTEX), in Nairobi (June 2020). Self-nominations have to be submitted by 25 March 2020. Nominate here
Roddenberry Foundation — Roddenberry Prize 2020
The Roddenberry Foundation invites proposals for projects that address the challenges of an unpredictable and fast-changing global landscape. The four winners of the Roddenberry Prize will each receive US$250 thousand for their work in one of the following fields: Education, Science, Environment, and Humanity. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, social enterprises, businesses, universities, and groups of individuals. Interested applicants and partners have to register by 10 April 2020. Link to the prize
International Initiative for Impact Evaluation — Empowering Women
The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation invite proposals for implementation and/or evaluation grants under our the program “Swashakt: Empowering women through collective based approaches.” Proposals that aim to expand and increase economic returns; build women’s leadership; and expand technical and business strength of existing women’s collective enterprises are particularly welcome. 3ie will provide funding of up to US$1 million for selected implementation and evaluation projects with a duration of up to 3 years. India-based nonprofit and for-profit organizations and consortia are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is 14 April 2020. More about the program
EIT Food — Building Entrepreneurial Capacity for Women in Agrifood Business
EIT Food seeks 3 organizations based in the Southern Europe (including Turkey) and 2 organizations based in the Eastern Europe to organize a capacity building program for women in agri-business. The aim of this program is to find innovative solutions that tackle the problems faced by women entrepreneurs, develop early-stage startups and create new female led agrifood businesses. The selected organization will receive funding of up to €21 thousand to cover the costs of the 3 startup events/workshops and additional activities. Please note that this is a call to become an organizer of the project activities not a call for participation in the program. The application deadline is 06 March 2020. Click here
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Conservation in the Mediterranean Basin (Tunisia)
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) makes small grants (US$ 5-8 thousand) to private enterprises in Tunisia in support of biodiversity conservation in coastal areas in the Mediterranean region. The overall aim of this call is to engage private sector stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices. Projects should be implemented in the future marine protected area (MPA) of Zembra and Zembretta. The call is open to the private sector, including small-scale businesses, private enterprises, local community groups and cooperatives. Letters for Inquiry have to be submitted by 20 March 2020. Find out more
Global LEAP Awards — Electric Pressure Cooker Competition
The Global LEAP Electric Pressure Cooker Competition recognizes manufacturers and distributors of electric pressure cookers that design energy efficient electric pressure cookers suitable for use in off-and weak-grid settings. Winners and finalists of the competition will be eligible for up to US$200 thousand prize money. The competition is open to companies in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The deadline for receipt of nominations is 27 March 2020. About the competition