The UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) invites children and young people from Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to take part in the 2024 Youth Innovation Contest. Participants can submit creative works that reflect their vision of a more sustainable planet, using any format (painting, story, poem, or a research essay). The contest is open to two age groups: Children’s Group (5-10 years old) and Youth Group (11-17 years old). Participants are encouraged to create works focusing on the Protection of Marine Ecosystems, Conservation of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Responding to Global Climate Change, and Building Sustainable Human Settlements. The deadline for application is 30 September 2024. More
Russia/Eastern Europe
Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs — Support for Young Social Entrepreneurs
Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs (RISE) is a project for the youth, willing to learn and change things for the betterment of the Western Balkans. RISE invites ideas or innovative solutions for a new and better way to approach education, women empowerment, culture, rural development, health or employment in regional communities. The program will support regional changemakers through tailor-made programs, mentorship, and training. Young people from 18 to 35 years old from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are eligible. Please note that Local Incubators may have different deadlines. Applications close on 20 September 2024. Link to RISE
MedWet — World Wetlands Day
MedWet launches a call for projects to financially support actors in the realization of educational animations within the framework of the World Wetlands Day 2025. MedWet will select up to 34 projects and provide financial support of €250 for the implementation of campaigns and educational activities that highlight the importance of wetlands for humanity and the planet. This call targets actors that engage in wetland conservation in the Mediterranean region. Applications have to be submitted by 11 November 2024. Link to more information
Weeden Foundation — Protecting Biodiversity in Chile and Russia
The Weeden Foundation makes grants for biodiversity conservation in forest ecosystems, riparian corridors, and riverine and aquatic environments of ecological importance. Weeden’s international priorities are the Patagonia region of Chile, and the Altai Republic of Russia. The average grant size is between US$15 and US$20 thousand. The Foundation requests letters of inquiry (LOI) at least one month before proposal deadlines. The next deadline for applications (English, Spanish) is 10 January 2025. Find details
Earth Journalism Network — Mediterranean Media Initiative Story Grants
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) supports the production of in-depth stories covering current and emerging marine issues in the Mediterranean. EJN offers up to 10 story grants with a budget of up to €1,000 each for this round of story grants to support reporting on illegal fishing and the biodiversity crisis in the Mediterranean region, as well as solutions to marine issues. Applicants can be from any country that borders the Mediterranean Sea. Countries include Algeria; Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatia; Cyprus; Egypt; France; Gibraltar (British Overseas Territory); Greece; Italy; Israel; Lebanon; Libya; Malta; Monaco; Montenegro; Morocco; Palestine; Slovenia; Spain; Syria; Tunisia; Türkiye. Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and other expert media practitioners with professional reporting experience. The application deadline is 19 August 2024. Link
Magmatic School of Environmental Journalism — Environmental Reporting
Applications are open for the first edition of the Magmatic School of Environmental Journalism (October 2024 to February 2025). Early-career journalists based in southern Europe will be selected to participate in the program. The program aims to enhance their skills in environmental reporting and narrative writing while expanding their portfolios. The deadline to apply is 30 August 2024. Know more
International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies — Youth Innovation Award
The International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) invites applications for the Youth Innovation Award. CIHEAM will reward an innovative solution (scientific or entrepreneurship product/service) that contributes to the green and blue transition to improve human well-being and social equity while reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities and contributing to zero climate impact. The selected awardee will receive a financial grant of €10 thousand. Applicants must be young Mediterranean, aged not more than 39 years. The deadline is 15 August 2024. CIHEAM Youth Innovation Award
European Environment Agency — Photo Competition
The European Environment Agency (EEA) invites nature and photography enthusiasts to showcase their photographic talent in the 2024 edition of our annual photo competition. This year’s competition “Urban Treasures” captures the essence of cities and towns through inspiring moments that give us joy and hope for a more sustainable tomorrow. 3 winners receive €1000 for “best photo” in each category. The competition is open to the citizens of the EU 27 Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Türkiye, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photos must be submitted by 01 October 2024. EEA Photo Competition
European Journalism Centre — Climate Journalism Award
The Climate Journalism Award promotes and recognizes exceptional climate journalism that adopts an innovative or original storytelling approach, encouraging journalists to prioritize reporting on climate-related issues. Stories can be submitted in five categories and winners will each receive a cash prize of €2,400. The submitted piece must have been published in a European-based media outlet. The submission process ends on 05 July 2024. Climate Journalism Award
European Commission — Support for Nature & Biodiversity Projects
The European Commission launches a call for proposals for EU action grants in the fields of Environment under the Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE). The program supports demonstration, best practices, coordination and support actions, capacity building, and governance projects. The LIFE programs aim to facilitate the shift towards a sustainable, renewable energy-based economy; protect, restore, and improve the quality of the environment; halt and reverse biodiversity loss; and tackle the degradation of ecosystems. The project requested grant amount is not more than €60 thousand. In order to be eligible, the applicant must be a legal public or private entity, and be established in an EU Member State or a country associated with the LIFE Program. The deadline for applications is 19 September 2024. About LIFE