The iF Social Impact Prize aims to publish and support design projects that contribute to solving urgent challenges and help to improve living conditions in the developing world. Solutions should already be established and help to solve well-known issues in any category of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The best projects will share a cash prize of €100 thousand in total. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, companies, and foundations (student concepts will not be accepted). Social projects can be submitted until 19 August 2026. iF Social Impact Prize
nonprofit orgs
European Commission — Alleviating Household Energy Poverty in Europe
The European Commission invites proposals under its LIFE Programme to support projects that actively alleviate household energy poverty and advance the clean energy transition. The funding supports cross-sectoral policy coordination and residential multi-apartment building renovations to reduce heating and cooling needs for vulnerable households, contributing directly to climate change mitigation. Legal entities established in European Union Member States or countries associated with the LIFE Programme, such as non-profit associations, local authorities, research facilities, and small-to-medium-sized enterprises, are eligible to apply. While there is no fixed grant maximum, projects typically request over €1 million, with the program co-financing up to 95% of total eligible project costs. The deadline for applications is 16 September 2026. Alleviating Household Energy Poverty
Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship — Training for Social Entrepreneurs
The Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship accepts applications for an accelerator program focused on social enterprises working on women’s economic power and/or climate resilience. The program is designed for established social entrepreneurs who directly serve people living in poverty who suffer disproportionately from climate change. Climate resilience falls into one of the following three categories: sustainable energy, availability of sustainable management of water and sanitation, and climate-smart agriculture. Non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid social enterprises that have a clear commitment to an earned revenue model with the potential for scale are all encouraged to apply. There are no geographical limitations. The application deadline is 16 October 2026. Training for Social Entrepreneurs
Efico Foundation — Support for Coffee Producers
EFICO Foundation supports coffee farmers and their families through training and education programs, sustainable income increase, resilience for climate change, infrastructure support, and natural resource protection. About every 3 years, the Foundation organizes a project initiation round and funds projects that aim to improve the living conditions of coffee producers and their communities. Preference is given to projects having a clear strategy to become self-sustaining and creating a leverage effect. Applicants receive a full application form after contact. Efico Foundation
UK Government — Local Environmental Initiatives
The Darwin Plus Local program invites applications for small-scale projects aimed at protecting biodiversity and the natural environment in eligible UK Overseas Territories. Environmental non-governmental organizations, community groups, research institutions, and individuals can apply with practical initiatives that focus on biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and habitat restoration. The program provides up to £50 thousand for projects managed by organizations and up to £20 thousand for projects led by individuals. The application deadline is 25 June 2026. Details here
Open Rivers Programme — Dam Removal and River Restoration
The Open Rivers Programme invites applications for grants to support the removal of small dams and barriers to restore free-flowing rivers across Europe. Non-governmental organisations, public authorities, and community groups can apply for funding to complete preparatory work, technical assessments, and the physical removal of redundant instream structures. The program offers different grant categories, with funding amounts varying depending on the scope of the project, including small grants under €10 thousand for preparatory phases and larger allocations for full-scale barrier removals. The deadline for the current application cycle is 26 June 2026. Open Rivers
UK Government — Extra Grants for Biodiversity
The Darwin Initiative invites applications for its Extra grants program to fund large-scale, collaborative projects aimed at protecting biodiversity and reducing poverty in eligible low- to upper-middle-income countries. Non-governmental organisations, research institutions, and private sector businesses can apply with initiatives that demonstrate strong potential to scale up proven environmental interventions. The program provides funding ranging from £1 million to £5 million for a project period lasting between two and five years. The deadline for Phase I applications is 01 July 2026. Grants for Biodiversity
EIT Food — Regenerative Agriculture Digital Learning Platform
EIT Food invites applications to enhance and scale its Future Farm Lab, an immersive 3D digital learning platform focused on regenerative agriculture. This open call selects a single legally established organisation with expertise in digital learning and immersive technologies to expand educational content and improve the platform’s infrastructure over a three-year project period. Eligible applicants must be based in European Union member states or countries associated with Horizon Europe. The opportunity offers €370,000 in total funding, and the selected partner must provide a minimum 10% co-funding match. The application deadline is 07 July 2026. Know more
Women and Gender Constituency — Gender Just Climate Solutions Award 2026
The Women & Gender Constituency invites applications for the Gender Just Climate Solutions Awards. The awards aim to showcase real solutions for a more just, equal, and healthy planet, such as non-technical climate solutions, technical climate solutions, and transformational climate initiatives with a women or gender perspective. Three winners will each receive € 5,000 and a chance to attend the COP32 climate summit. All types of activist, grassroots, and women-led organizations working on issues related to climate change from all over the world are encouraged to apply. The deadline for submission is 12 July 2026. Gender Just Climate Solutions Award
Schmidt Marine Technology Partners — Ocean Innovation Funding Program
Schmidt Marine Technology Partners invites applications for its ocean innovation program to transform promising marine technologies into real-world conservation tools. Universities, non-profit organisations, and startup companies globally can apply with practical, scalable hardware or software projects that improve ocean health, enhance sustainable fisheries, or support habitat restoration. The program does not fund individuals directly unless they apply through an eligible institution or business. Grant amounts typically range between US$100 thousand and US$400 thousand to support the development, testing, and deployment of these systems. The application deadline is 31 July 2026. Ocean Innovation Funding