The “Scaling Off-Grid Energy Grand Challenge for Development” (SOGE) seeks to provide 20 million households in Sub-Saharan Africa with access to modern, clean, and affordable off-grid electricity from solar sources. USAID welcomes applications from U.S. and non-U.S. private businesses and social enterprises that are solar manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. Grants will range from US$500 thousand to US$1.5 million. USAID requires a private financial commitment in the ratio of at least 2:1 to the amount of a grant. Funding Opportunity APS-OAA-16-000001-ADDENDUM-SOGE. The deadline for concept papers is 30 April 2017. Link
business/enterprise
Bestseller Foundation — Enterprises in Agriculture and Environment
The Bestseller Foundation provides financial support for agricultural value chains and for enterprises based on sustainable environment in Southern and Eastern Africa, China, and India. The foundation invests mainly with commercial actors in for-profit projects by means of loans and equity. Nonprofit organizations and projects may sometimes be eligible if they have clear and commercially viable objectives. In some cases, the Foundation may consider grants or donations. Potential partners in the eligible regions contact the Foundation by telephone or email, and present a short concept note. Link
World Bank — Public-Private Infrastructure in Water, Energy, and Transportation
The World Bank’s Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF) welcomes submissions on topics pertaining to private-sector participation in infrastructure, public-private partnerships, and sub-national finance for energy, water, and transportation. PPIAF is looking for knowledge products that provide lessons learned or best practices which can be applied across countries and across regions. Proposals are strongly encouraged to include co-financing. Proposals with a focus on gender or climate change are also strongly encouraged. The deadline for submissions is 10 February 2017. Link
Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification — Collaboration Fund 2017
PEFC offers competitive grants in support of its mission to improve forest management and expand forest certification around the world. PEFC invites its members and other non-profit organizations to apply. Project partners may also include private and public-sector organizations. PEFC will consider proposals up to CHF 40 thousand for projects up to two years. Grantees must provide at least 35% co-funding. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2017. Link
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Grants to Combat Wildlife Trafficking
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) welcomes project proposals to combat wildlife trafficking. Priorities include strengthening CITES implementation in key regions and countries; fighting corruption and poor governance regarding wildlife protection; increasing cooperation among African and Asian countries involved in transnational wildlife crime; working for behavioral change in support of wildlife protection; and conservation of species endangered by illegal trade. Projects are up to US$100 thousand for one or two years, although higher amounts will be considered. Eligibility for funding extends worldwide to individuals, non-profit and for-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and multi-national secretariats. Foreign (non-U.S.) government organizations are also eligible. The deadline for applications is 05 February 2017. Link
Global Affairs Canada — Agri-Food Value Chains and Adaptation to Climate Change in Haiti
The Government of Canada calls for proposals to promote strengthened agri-food value chains and adaptation to climate change in Haiti. Areas that were severely affected by Hurricane Matthew require increased support to restore agricultural production capacity and infrastructure. Projects should focus on two or three of the departments of Artibonite, Sud, and Grand-Anse. Eligibility for funding extends to Canadian and non-Canadian organizations, including private-sector organizations. Grants will range from $3 million to $15 million. The application deadline is 06 April 2017. Link
UK Newton Fund — Collaboration UK with Brazil on Urban Environments
With support by the Newton Fund, Innovate UK invites businesses to work with Brazilian partners on innovative urban development solutions in Brazil. Subject areas include management of urban water and sanitation, renewable energy, addressing natural disasters, and others. Projects must be led by a UK business, and must include at least one Brazilian partner. The deadline for registration is 26 April 2017. Link
Smart Villages — Off-Grid Energy in West Africa
The Off-Grid Energy Challenge invites applications from early-stage energy entrepreneurs in West Africa who are running businesses that generate or can be powered by off-grid energy. Businesses must have at least an existing prototype and business model to enter. The winners of the competition will receive free business, legal, and financial services and the chance to pitch for up to US$5 thousand in prize capital. Up to three teams will be accepted into the programme. The deadline for applications (English, French, Portuguese) is 21 November 2016. Link
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Conservation in Timor-Leste
In support of conservation in the Wallacea Biodiversity Hotspot, CEPF invites letters of inquiry from organizations wishing to work in or affect key biodiversity areas and species in Timor-Leste. Eligibility for funding extends to NGOs, community groups, private enterprises, universities, and other civil society organizations. Typical grants are US$100 thousand for periods of 12 to 30 months, although CEPF will consider proposals up to US$300 thousand for exceptionally qualified applicants. The closing date for letters of inquiry is 13 December 2016. Link
European Commission — Sustainable Energy in the Philippines
The EC will make grants to increase the availability of electricity generated from renewable energy in off-grid rural and semi-urban communities of the Philippines. The grants will be made in four lots, each with a different objective. Grants are up to €4 million, varying by lots and cost shares. The lead applicants should be NGOs, private or public utility operators, international organizations, foundations, electric cooperatives, or academic institutions in the EU, the Philippines, or other countries eligible under Europe’s DCI regulation. The application deadline is 31 January 2017. Link