The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Zhejiang University, seek youth-led innovations and solutions in response to the challenges associated with distribution and sales of agri-food products. Selected teams of two to five young innovators will be invited to further develop and pitch their digital development solutions in China (November 2020). Winning teams will receive seed funding to develop their ideas. The agri-innovation challenge is open to all youth (below 35 years old) with digital innovations or ideas for the agri-food sector. The deadline to submit an application form is 17 October 2020. Visit the Global AgriInno Challenge
october2020
United Nations Institute for Training and Research — Disaster Risk Reduction Training Program for Women
The UNITAR Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction Training Program for Women in Pacific Ocean countries focuses on building resilience and enhancing security of the region. The training program is designed to encourage participants to gain knowledge in Disaster Risk Reduction and develop a country DRR Plan with consideration of both natural and biological hazards. The program is open to anyone living inside and from Cook Islands, Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, or Vanuatu. Applications will be received until 20 October 2020. Link to UNITAR Women’s Leadership
EnAccess Foundation — Open Source Innovations for Energy Access
The EnAccess Foundation invites proposals for open source innovations focusing on providing energy access with livelihood focus in Tanzania. The idea is to provide households, businesses, and institutions with access to electricity and reduce energy poverty. Each project may request a grant of up to US$ 150 thousand. Eligibility extends to start-ups, companies, non-profits, individual innovators, investors, and researchers. Organizations should have a minimum of 1-2 years of business operations. The final submission deadline is 30 October 2020. Projects are selected for funding on a rolling basis, therefore, earlier submissions are highly recommended. Energy Access
Luc Hoffmann Institute — Diversifying Community Livelihoods from Wildlife
The Luc Hoffmann Institute, the African Leadership University’s School of Wildlife Conservation and the WWF launch a global innovation challenge.The principal aim of the “Beyond Tourism in Africa” challenge is to discover new revenue models that do not depend on tourism, but still enable local communities in Africa to derive income from wildlife. Any individual or team with bold ideas from around the world may apply. Up to 15 ideas will be selected. Successful applicants will win a place in the African Leadership University’s 8-month incubation program. During the incubation program, participants may receive a grant of up to US$10 thousand. The final submission deadline is 15 October 2020. Link to the Beyond Tourism Challenge
European Commission — Women Empowerment and Small Enterprises Support
The European Commission (EC) seeks to increase energy access of households, public institutions and small enterprises to affordable, reliable and modern energy in Zambia. The EC invites big scale projects that focus on poor and vulnerable women in high density low income townships in Lusaka. Applicants may request a financial contribution of up to €1.9 million. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 26 October 2020. Detailed information
ISEKI-Food Association — Food Biodiversity Student Competition
The 2020 Food Factory-4-Us Sustainable Supply Chain International Student Competition seeks great ideas for valorizing food biodiversity. The competition is open to Master’s students enrolled in a food study program in any country. Participants have to form teams of 3-5 students, get a faculty mentor and present a project proposal. Each team will have access to online trainings. The winning team will receive an award of €300 and be invited to the NextFOOD Project Meeting in 2021. The deadline for submissions is 07 October 2020. Participate
UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council — Follow-on Funding
BBSRC’s Follow-on Funding (FoF) supports the translation of research into practical application. The aim of the program is to help researchers maximize the societal and economic benefits of their research. The applicant must currently or previously have held BBSRC funding with demonstrable relevance to the application. Funding ranges between £25 thousand and £800 thousand. The deadline is 07 October 2020. About
United States Agency for International Development — Sustainable Coastal Fisheries Management in the Pacific Region
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications for a Cooperative Agreement to address the drivers of illegal fishing that are degrading coastal fisheries and biodiversity in the Pacific Islands. The overall goal is to co-develop an activity to support sustainable coastal fisheries and protection of associated coastal and marine ecosystems in the Pacific Islands region and increasing the self-reliance of Pacific Island partners. USAID intends to provide US$15 million in total funding over a five year period. USAID encourages applications from potential new partners such as U.S. and non-US non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, universities, and international organizations. USAID will not accept applications from individuals. The closing date for applications is 19 October 2020. Link
European Commission — Civil Society Development in China
The European Commission (EC) seeks to strengthen the civil society in China to help tackle climate change and mitigating its adverse effects, among other priorities. The EC invites proposals that increase the capacities and engagement of local CSOs on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Applicants may request a financial contribution between €800 thousand and €850 thousand. Eligibility extends to non-profit civil society organizations established in China or the European Union. Deadline for submission of concept notes is 15 October 2020. Details here
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Global South Rural Poverty Alleviation
The China-IFAD South-South and Triangular Cooperation Facility supports the generation and exchange of innovative solutions that can be of value in the post-COVID-19 recovery period and provide a benefit to poor rural people. The grant amount will range between US$200-500 thousand for a maximum duration of two years. Project proposals have to be developed in collaboration with national governments or local organizations in developing countries, and reflect the priorities of the COVID-19 response package of national governments. The application deadline is 31 October 2020. More information