The Rainforest Trust partners with local conservation organizations to create new protected areas and expand existing ones for Critically Endangered and Endangered species. The Initiative invites applications for conservation partnerships from nonprofit entities and NGOs for projects in tropical Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Applying organizations may submit proposals for either a land purchase or a protected area designation. Applications to create new protected areas are reviewed three times per year. The application deadlines are 01 March, 01 June, and 01 November 2026. Applications for less than US$250 thousand may be submitted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Link
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Common Fund for Commodities — Support for Commodity Development
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) provides financial and technical instruments to support projects proposed by enterprises, cooperatives, and institutions. Funding is targeted mainly to for-profit organizations and social enterprises for production, value chains, and marketing across a wide group of commodities (agricultural crops, tree crops, timber, bamboo and rattan, minerals, and others). Projects need to focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Innovative solutions for new agritech applications, access to renewable energy, or expanding environmental services are especially welcome. All interested SMEs, enterprises, cooperatives, and governments must submit proposals no later than 01 April 2026. Common Fund for Commodities
Echoing Green — Fellowships 2026
Echoing Green helps emerging social entrepreneurs around the world with grants of seed capital and technical assistance to support their start-up organizations. Seed funding of up to US$80 thousand over 18 months is offered to for-profit organizations through recoverable grants. Past fellowships include examples in renewable energy, waste management, smallholder farming, climate change, and other societal challenges in developing countries. Applications are due on 08 October 2025. Echoing Green Fellowships
ACT Foundation — Grant Cycle 2026
The Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation accepts applications from national and regional non-profit organizations working to address social, environmental, and economic challenges across the African Continent. Focus areas include health, environment, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Proposed projects must have a maximum life cycle of 12 months and benefit African communities. The application deadline is 10 October 2025. Click here
Commonwealth Secretariat — Commonwealth Youth Awards 2025
The Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work recognize individuals ages 15 to 29 who lead innovative development projects in themes that include agriculture, small enterprise, skills training, climate change, environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, and poverty reduction. The program selects regional winners from each of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Winners are awarded grants of up to a total of £5 thousand in total to advance their projects. The application deadline is 17 October 2025. Commonwealth Youth Awards
Global Thinkers Forum — Mentoring Program 2026
The Global Thinkers Forum brings together a diverse network of thought leaders to share their visions of the future, create meaningful conversations around them, and effect positive change in the world. The program consists of an 8-month mentoring cycle that includes one-on-one sessions with experienced thought leaders and individuals aged between 18 and 29 from all over the world. The program’s mentors are successful individuals across several professional fields and countries. The application deadline is 28 November 2025. Become a Global Thinkers Mentee
Learning Planet Institute — Youth Design Challenge
The Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge is an annual global initiative encouraging young individuals aged 15-26 to pitch their ideas for innovative learning programs for their dream university. Participants can pitch programs on one of the following themes: Community Engagement, Socio-emotional Development, and Sustainability (planetary health and regenerative economy). The 12 finalists will receive regular mentorship from a global network of industries with the goal of implementing their programs. The winner receives US$1000. The deadline for submissions is 15 January 2026. Youth Design Challenge
Planet Forward — Story Award
The Planet Forward Storyfest Awards invites students to submit stories that inspire, motivate, and drive change. Planet Forward seeks stories surrounding the people, ideas, and innovations moving the world toward a greener future. Participants can submit stories (written, video, multimedia, or podcast) on topics such as climate justice, biodiversity, food, water, or energy. Entries will be accepted until 09 February 2026. Planet Forward Storyfest Awards
Rainforest Alliance — Kleinhans Fellowship for Research in Community Forestry
The Rainforest Alliance is interested in helping communities and small- and medium-sized enterprises to harvest and manufacture forest and non-timber forest products in a sustainable manner, and market these goods to responsible businesses and consumers. The Kleinhans Fellowship provides US$20 thousand over two years for research on this topic in Latin America, with preference for sites where the Rainforest Alliance currently supports community forestry. Applicants must have at least a master’s degree in forestry, ecology, botany, environmental science, or an appropriate related field. The next deadline for applications is 31 August 2026. Know more
AirAsia Foundation — Improving Communities
The AirAsia Foundation makes grants to social enterprises with projects to empower communities, enable them to build sustainable livelihoods, tackle social problems, or protect the environment. Applicants must be registered and be based in ASEAN. NGOs looking to diversify funding sources through social enterprise are welcome to submit an application. AirAsia’s priority is to support smaller social enterprises. Applications can be submitted anytime, but the review process may take up to 6 months. Link