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
energy
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
French-African Foundation — Young Leaders 2021
The French-African Foundation invites applications for Young Leaders 2021. The program recognizes and supports young leaders to become true agents of change in relation to global challenges. Candidates must be between 28 and 40 years old and have French nationality or the nationality of an African country. Successful candidates will spend five days in France, five days in Senegal, engage in high-level meetings and receive training and mentorship. Flights and accommodation will be provided. The deadline for applications is 21 March 2021. About the program
Dutch Research Council — Local Energy Systems
Samenwerking China (NSFC) and Dutch Research Council (NWO) invite researchers from knowledge institutions from The Netherlands and China to submit proposals for research on the transition towards sustainable and social local energy districts. The call focuses on sustainable urbanisation and the transition to sustainable energy at the local level. Eligibility extends to research consortia composed of researchers based in The Netherlands and in China. Consortia can apply for a maximum of €700 thousand from NWO and a maximum of ¥4 million from NSFC. The deadline for this call for proposals is 11 May 2021. Link
Eisenhower Fellowships — Africa Program to Fight Climate Change
Eisenhower Fellowships (EF) seeks applicants for its Fall 2021 Africa Program. The program recruits dynamic change agents primarily from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe and brings them to the United States for a professional transformational experience. Ideal candidates are between the ages 32-45 and work in fields actively confronting the consequences of climate change, including agriculture, environmental protection, water quality, food security and energy, among others. The program combines a mixture of virtual and in-person meetings spread over several weeks, bringing African leaders to the United States. EF accepts applications through 15 March 2021. Details here
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
Hilden Charitable Trust — Community Projects in Developing Countries
The Hilden Charitable Fund makes grants in the UK and developing countries in defined thematic areas. Projects in developing countries focus on community development, education, and health. (Note: Projects related to food security, community water supply, local energy, etc., may be relevant.) Hilden particularly welcomes projects addressing the needs and potential of girls and women. Hilden will consider funding for charitable organizations based in any developing country that have been active for at least five years and meet its criteria on financial income. Hilden only accepts applications from UK charities for overseas projects. Projects may be for more than one year. Average grants are £5 thousand. Applications can be submitted anytime but the closing date for the next meeting is 16 April 2021. Link
Global Giving — Crowdfunding Training Opportunity
GlobalGiving is an online platform to raise funds for grassroots projects worldwide across many sectors and themes – including in agriculture, energy, environment, and natural resources. GlobalGiving announces a new Accelerator program that will offer virtual training in online fundraising and participation in a two-week crowdfunding campaign. The program is open to nonprofit organizations anywhere in the world. Organizations that successfully complete the GlobalGiving Accelerator by raising at least US$5 thousand total from a minimum 40 different donors will earn permanent membership with GlobalGiving, in addition to $30 thousand in matching funding and bonus prizes. The application deadline is 16 July 2021. Crowdfunding Training Opportunity
SEED — Low Carbon Award 2021
SEED supports small-scale eco-enterprises in the developing world which integrate social and environmental benefits into their business models. Applicants should be able to explain how the enterprise will be financially viable in the long term and be in the set-up phase and in the early stages of implementation. The eligible countries are Indonesia, India, Ghana, Thailand, Uganda, and South Africa. Each award recipient is granted capacity building and networking opportunities. The call for applications is open until 22 March 2021. More
Violet Jabara Charitable Trust — Grants for Projects in the Middle East
The Violet Jabara Trust supports organizations working in the developing countries of the Middle East to promote sustainable economic development, as well as reproductive health and women’s welfare. The Trust’s thematic interests include environmental issues, among others. Priority countries are Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Palestine (Occupied Territories), Yemen, Egypt and North Africa. Countries further afield (such as the Gulf countries, Sudan, or Afghanistan) may be considered, but will not be given priority. Eligibility for grants extends to nonprofit groups in the USA and internationally, with preference for small local organizations. There is no deadline for submitting letters of inquiry. Guidelines