The Arab Startup Competition is a yearly competition run by the MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab in three different tracks: Ideas; Startups; and Social Entrepreneurship. Previous winners include examples in agricultural irrigation, transportation efficiency, and other green themes. The winning entrepreneurs are awarded prizes of up to US$50 thousand as well as training, mentorship, coaching, media exposure, and networking opportunities. Eligible enterprises can be located in any Arab country, and each team must have at least two members. The application deadline is 06 December 2021. Link to the competition
MENA
CIVICUS — Civil Society Activism
The CIVICUS Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Awards shed a light on the importance of people power and civil society activism in creating a more just, inclusive and sustainable world. The Awards will recognize seven individuals, groups or organizations that stand out for their innovative work building people power in support of human rights and social justice for everyone. Each winning initiative will receive a US$5 thousand prize. The Awards are open to any individual, organization or group in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Pacific. Deadline to submit the online application form is 20 September 2021. Innovation Awards
British Council — Research Environment Links
Research Environment Links grants provide financial support for capacity strengthening and collaboration activities to develop and sustain medium- to long-term relationships in the UK and partner countries. The British Council invites proposals for research collaboration and partnerships between universities and research institutes in Egypt, Malaysia, Morocco, Thailand or Turkey. Each proposal must have one Lead Applicant from the partner country and one Lead Applicant from the UK. Research Links funds any discipline or cross-discipline for up to £50 thousand. The deadline for applications is 08 October 2021. Research Environment Links
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award — Islamic Green City Excellence Award
The Islamic Green City Excellence Award is dedicated to outstanding works carried out by individuals and public as well as private institutions and organizations operating in the various fields of the environment and sustainable development. The selection of the candidate city for the Award is assessed on the basis of specific criteria, including Sustainable Energy Use, Water and Wastewater Management, Urban Forestry, Biodiversity Preservation, and Climate Change Mitigation, among others. Eligibility extends to everyone involved in environmental management and sustainable development (individuals, groups, institutions, organizations, companies, associations etc., be they public, private or non-governmental) from the Islamic countries. The application remains open until 21 December 2021. Link
InfoNile — COVID-19 Pandemic and Water Crisis
InfoNile seeks proposals for in-depth reporting on the Impacts of Covid-19 on irrigation and water access and use by farmers. The program invites journalists (TV journalists and local radio journalists) to investigate agriculture water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (AgriWASH). InfoNile is interested in multimedia stories focusing on how Covid-19 is impacting agricultural water management in the Nile basin countries. Most grants will be around US$1,000. Eligibility extends to all countries in Africa’s Nile River basin, especially arid Egypt and Sudan as well as drought-ridden areas of Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda. Story pitches can be submitted until 31 July 2021. Details here
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Remittances in Times of Crisis
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) announces the third round of National Calls for Proposals (MOROCCO) 2021: supporting remittances in times of crisis in Africa. IFAD seeks to reduce poverty and promote development by leveraging both international and domestic remittances and migrant capital in rural areas of developing countries. Regional proposals can request grants from €150 thousand up to €500 thousand. The following types of institutions can apply: private sector entities, for-profit entities, or non-profit organizations. The deadline for submission of proposals is 13 September 2021. National Calls for Proposal (Morocco)
Climate Tracker — Drylands Journalism Fellowship
Climate Tracker gives young journalists from Africa the opportunity to receive training, attend and cover Global Landscapes Forum 2021 (June 2021). The digital conference focused on Africa’s drylands and how integrative restoration practices. 5 journalists will receive a storytelling grant to produce more in-depth pieces, as a follow-up from the conference. This opportunity is open for early-career reporters across the African continent. Stories can be published in English or French. The deadline to apply is 10 May 2021. Drylands Journalism Fellowship
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Lebanon
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in Lebanon. The priorities under this call include the environment. The average contribution is C$20 thousand to C$50 thousand per project. Eligibility extends to local community organizations, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions. The deadline for submission is 21 April 2021. Link
International Development Research Centre — Gender in STEM Research Initiative
Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) announces a new funding opportunity to advance gender analysis and women’s leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This initiative will support university-led consortia to expand and deepen scholarship in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, on the challenges and opportunities that women scientists experience in STEM fields. IDRC will provide CA$1 million to CA$1.25 million per research consortium. The call is open to public universities from low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, or Latin America/Caribbean. Extended Deadline: 10 May 2021. STEM Research Initiative
Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education — Skill Development of Women
Nuffic announces a grant program to develop and strengthen the skills of women and young girls. The program is aimed at professionals and organizations that provide education and training within the priority themes of the Dutch government (Water, Food and Nutrition Security, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, and Security and Rule of Law). Grants can be used for training initiatives and capacity building programs that address specifically the needs of women. The maximum subsidy is €75 thousand per tailor-made training. The call is open to the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. The application deadline is 22 April 2021. Tailor-Made Training