The Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) will make two grants of US$10 thousand each for innovative uses of www.OpenLandContracts.org, an online repository of publicly available commercial agriculture and forestry contracts. Users of the website can search contracts by different categories; view summaries of key social, human rights, environmental, fiscal, and operational provisions; compare certain provisions across contracts; and download full contracts. CCSI offers the grants to support and advance innovative uses of the repository and of the content available through it. Applications must be received by CCSI on or before 31 January 2018. Link
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European Commission — Sustainable Forest and Land Management & Energy Efficiency
The EC calls for concept notes that reduce the climatic vulnerability of local populations in Togo through the preservation of forest resources and energy efficiency. Eligibility for funding extends to nonprofit organizations, public sector operators, local or national authorities, and international (inter-governmental) organisations in EU member states or Africa. Grants under this call range from €300 thousand to €1 million, varying with cost shares. Reference: EuropeAid/158703/IH/ACT/T. The deadline to submit concept notes is 31 January 2018. Find the details here
United Nations University — Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships 2018
The United Nations University offers postdoctoral fellowships to young scholars and policymakers, especially from the developing world. One fellowships program is with the UNU’s Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS); the other is with the UNU’s Center for Policy Research (UNU-CPR). The research themes include ecosystem services; water and urban development; governance for sustainable development; low-carbon technology; and others. There are no nationality requirements, but applicants should be fluent in English. The closing date for applications is 28 February 2018. About this Fellowship
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade — NZ Partnerships for International Development Fund 2017/2018
The New Zealand Partnerships for International Development Fund is a contestable fund open to New Zealand organizations. It aims to encourage partnerships between New Zealand organizations and in-country partners in the developing world, with emphasis on the Pacific region and Southeast Asia. Priority areas for support include agriculture, fisheries, tourism, energy, and water and sanitation — among others. The Fund encourages multi-activity projects for up to five years. The next application deadline (Round 12) is 02 March 2018 for drafts (partners who would like to receive feedback on their application, prior to submitting it to the Round) and 30 March 2018 for full applications. Find out more
Network for Rural Development of Serbia — Sustainable Rural Development in the Western Balkans
Network for Rural Development of Serbia invites civil society organisations (CSOs) to submit applications related to the thematic areas of sustainable rural development. This may include capacity building programs in sustainable agriculture, environment protection, sustainable management of natural resources, and others. The maximum grants size is €17 thousand per organization. Eligibility extends to organizations from Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. (Note: The Programme is part of the project “ALTER – Active Local Territories for Economic development of Rural Areas” by the European Union.) Deadline for applications is 17 December 2017. Hurry up!
Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund — Evaluating the Caribbean Islands Hotspot
The CEPF invites applications from civil society organizations to submit proposals to conduct an evaluation of lessons learned in relation to the Caribbean Islands Regional Implementation Team (RIT). CEPF intends to reinvest in this hotspot, and will use the results of this consultancy to inform future investment. The closing date for submissions is 08 January 2018. Link
SEED Foundation — Agricultural Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa 2018
The SEED Foundation supports French nonprofit organizations in partnership with nonprofit organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa for innovative solutions that address food security. Projects can address agricultural practices, farming knowledge and capacity, local agricultural products, etc. Grants range from €7 thousand to €15 thousand, up to 70% of project costs. The Foundation lists 21 eligible African countries. The deadline for applications (French, English) is 05 February 2018. See the Call for Proposals
MIT Center for Collective Intelligence — Climate CoLab: Absorbing Climate Impacts
The MIT Climate CoLab organizes contests to solicit the world’s best ideas to prevent and adapt to climate change. The current contest invites projects that focus on the question “How can climate risk insurance be linked with other forms of social protection to help vulnerable communities absorb climate impacts?” The UN Climate Resilience Initiative A2R and InsuResilience will provide seed funding for the implementation of the winning proposal (€40 thousand) and mentoring, training and technical assistance (€12 thousand euros). The deadline for proposal submission is 11 February 2018. Learn more about this contest
Swissuniversities Development and Cooperation Network — Consortia for North-South Education and Research (2nd Call)
The Swissuniversities Development and Cooperation Network (SUDAC) calls for various types of Swiss higher education institutions to partner with each other and with partners in the Global South to develop Consortia for Education and Research (COFER). COFER will aim for stronger integration of research, education, and implementation through new collaborative networks oriented towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Each COFER must address at least two SDGs; provide at least 50% matching funds; and provide funding for partners in the Global South. The application deadline for the current, 2nd call is 28 February 2018. About COFER
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden — Conservation Support Fund 2018
The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (USA) makes grants for field conservation; habitat management; conservation education; ex situ captive breeding; animal health and welfare; and other themes in wildlife research and conservation. Grants generally range from US$1 thousand to US$5 thousand. The annual application deadline is 01 June. About the Conservation Fund