Social Entrepreneurship Impact & Finance (seif) supports individuals and teams that apply innovative business ideas to address current social and/or environmental problems. Categories include agriculture; food and nutrition; environment; energy; water and sanitation; and others. The competition is open to social enterprises from all over Europe. The program will make four awards of CHF 10 thousand each. The application deadline is 30 June 2017. Link
energy
Rockefeller Foundation — Sustainable Development
The Rockefeller Foundation defines several initiatives and topics that guide its grant making. Those of principal relevance in the Terra Viva Grants Directory are food security in Africa; resilience to climate change; energy production and consumption; water and fisheries; and ecosystem services. Requests for support must fit Rockefeller’s issue areas, current initiatives, and geographical regions. Inquiries can be submitted at any time. Link
Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves — Women’s Empowerment Fund
The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves welcomes applications for the fourth annual Women’s Empowerment Fund (WEF). The WEF is a financing mechanism to scale business models for women’s entrepreneurship in projects to advance household energy. The WEF will award up to four grants in the range of US$75 thousand to US$150 thousand for one year. The Alliance will give preference to enterprises owned and managed by women in the following countries: Bangladesh,China, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. However, qualified organizations operating in other countries are also encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a registered partner of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves prior to the application deadline. Organizations that are not currently partners can learn how to register from information published on the website. The application deadline is 02 April 2017. Link
Energy and Environmental Partnership Mekong — Support for Project Preparation
The Energy and Environment Partnership Programme with the Mekong Region (EEP Mekong) is funded by Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs to improve access to sustainable energy in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. EEP Mekong offers grants to facilitate project preparation in the participating countries. The focus of preparation support will be feasibility studies on clean energy, particularly bioenergy and W2E projects, in both the public and private sectors. Other types of preparation support (cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact studies, etc.) will be considered case-by-case. EEP Mekong will fund up to 80% of the feasibility studies or other preparation costs. Proposed projects should have a minimum capital investment of €500 thousand. Applications can be submitted through 31 December 2017. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Renewable Energy in Mexico
The U.S. Agency for International Development announces funding for a three-year program “Comunidades y Energías Renovables” to encourage a transparent process for renewable energy development in Mexico. The goal is to foster a process for renewable energy development that engages local communities, the Mexican government, civil society, and the private sector. Applications for funding are requested from NGOs in Mexico. Funding Opportunity RFA-523-17-000001. The closing date for applications is 19 April 2017. Link
European Commission — Women and Sustainable Energy
The EC calls for proposals to promote women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in the sustainable energy sector and value chain, with an emphasis on financial services. The action must take place in multiple countries which are recipients of official development aid, including in Sub-Saharan Africa and possibly in other developing regions. Partnerships among academia, civil society, NGOs, international or local organizations, financial institutions, government, private sector, etc., may bring added value to a comprehensive approach. The amount of funding is from €4 million to €8 million, varying with cost shares. Reference EuropeAid/155118/DH/ACT/Multi. The deadline for submitting concept notes is 25 April 2017. Link
Smart Villages — Photo Competition on Sustainable Rural Energy
Smart Villages announces a photo competition on the theme of how energy access changes the life of rural communities around the world. The contest will emphasize the concept of energy “smartness” i.e., how energy is being used in productive, innovative, and even entrepreneurial ways. The competition is open to everyone regardless of nationality, background, age, and experience. The competition offers several cash prizes up to US$2 thousand for the overall winner. Photos must be submitted before 30 April 2017. Link
European Commission — Interreg Mediterannean Program, 2nd Call for Proposals
The Interreg MED Programme calls for modular projects supporting priority axes 1, 2, and 3. These priorities include eco-innovation for sustainable growth; low-carbon strategies and energy efficiency; and protecting and promoting Mediterranean natural and cultural resources. The relevant countries include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro in addition to Mediterranean countries of Western Europe. The announcement includes information to find national contact points, and guidelines for making applications. The deadline is 31 March 2017. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Asian Women Entrepreneurs in Clean Energy
The USAID Private Financing Advisory Network-Asia, the International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy, and the Asian Development Bank announce a joint call for proposals for women entrepreneurs in clean energy. Selected woman entrepreneurs and organizations supporting the selected entrepreneurs will receive mentoring support from USAID PFAN-Asia with an aim to secure funding to up-scale their operations. The program is open to women entrepreneurs and organizations in the private sector and in public-private partnerships in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2017. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Smart Solutions for Adaptable Cities in Asia
The USAID Private Financing Advisory Network-Asia calls for proposal to advance “Smart Solutions for Adaptable Communities and Cities.” Examples of these solutions include apps on clean transport and pilot projects on climate-adaptable housing and buildings, water management, and waste management. Selected project developers, technology providers, innovators, and inventors will receive mentoring support from USAID PFAN-Asia with an aim to secure funding to up-scale their operations. Applications are invited from the private sector, and from public- private partnerships, in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2017. Link