The Keepers of the Earth Fund (KOEF) is a small grant fund supporting Indigenous values-based community development. Grants range between US$500 and US$7 thousand and are awarded to Indigenous-led projects, organizations, and groups worldwide. Themes of past grants include biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage, climate change, fair use of natural resources, and others. The application deadline is 10 February 2024. Link to KOEF
social enterprise
Ashden Awards — International Awards for Sustainable Energy 2024
Ashden supports projects in sustainable energy in the UK and the developing world. The awards are made to pioneers in sustainable energy, saving energy, generating renewable energy, or promoting behavior change. The competition for the International Awards is open to businesses, NGOs, government organizations, and social enterprises whose activities take place in low- and middle-income countries worldwide. Winners are supported with prize money up to £25 thousand, plus assistance with mentoring and networking. The closing date for applications (Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish) is 25 January 2024. Ashden Awards
IWW Zentrum Wasser — Mülheim Water Award
The Mülheim Water Award honors practice-oriented research and development projects as well as the implementation of innovative concepts for a secure drinking water supply and water analysis. People or institutions from Europe (geographically defined, not politically) can apply with innovative procedures, products, concepts and new findings with a strong focus on practical use and application within water management. The prize is €10 thousand. Applications can be submitted until 29 February 2024. Mülheim Water Award
Young Americas Business Trust — InnovAction Challenge
The InnovAction Challenge 2.0 drives sustainable growth by accelerating current and new initiatives or businesses to increase the socio-economic participation of vulnerable groups. The program awards solutions that contribute to energy efficiency and natural resource management. The winning team will receive US$10 thousand in cash and 6 months of follow-up business training. The program is focused on the participation of young social and economic entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean. The registration deadline is 05 April 2024. InnovAction Challenge
Singapore International Foundation — Young Social Entrepreneurs
Young Social Entrepreneurs (YSE) Global is an eight-month program for young changemakers who wish to start or scale up their social enterprises in Singapore and beyond. Participants have access to online workshops, remote mentorship, regional learning and pitching sessions. Shortlisted teams have the chance to win S$20 thousand in funding to launch or scale their social enterprise. Eligibility extends to individuals aged between 18 to 35 years, with a viable and innovative business solution to a social issue anywhere in the world. The YSE Global is open to participants of all nationalities. The application deadline is 02 February 2024. YSE Global
ygap — Poverty Solutions for Kenya
The ygap accelerator provides support to Kenyan leaders with solutions to poverty. Entrepreneurs and startups with project ideas and solutions for their local community are invited to apply for the training program. The program offers a three-day accelerator followed by twelve months of tailored support including business skills development, strategy insights, mentor support, and more. Participants will gain access to professionals (designers, lawyers, coaches, etc.) and have the opportunity to apply for small grants. Eligibility extends to social entrepreneurs operating in Kenya, who are dedicated to creating a positive change in the lives of people living in poverty. Applications close 03 February 2024. ygap Kenya
Mind & Life — Community Grants
The Contemplative Changemaking Grants support the use of contemplative approaches by grassroots changemakers addressing urgent community needs. Grants will fund projects that support changemakers in transforming lives and communities. Funding is up to US$10 thousand for a 2-year period. Applicants must be individuals applying in their own name, or on behalf of a local community-based nonprofit organization (including universities) or social enterprise. The application deadline is 01 February 2024. Contemplative Changemaking Grants
Ford Motor Company — Ford Fund Fellowship
The Ford Fund Fellowship is a virtual program for social entrepreneurs and community leaders building ventures that create impactful and scalable innovations. Each Fellow will learn advanced skills in entrepreneurship and leadership. US$25 thousand in seed funding will be distributed among the 25 Ford Fund Fellows. Applicants from the following countries are welcome to apply: China, Germany, Mexico, Romania, South Africa, United Kingdom. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. The final application deadline is 15 January 2024. Ford Fund Fellowship
WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award — Award in Fighting Disinformation
WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award invites nominations to recognize persons or organizations that effectively have taken on the challenge to fight disinformation (e.g., disinformation about climate change etc.), thereby facilitating the work to reach the UN Sustainable Goals 2030. The nominees will have created change that inspires others and shown what measures are necessary. Candidates for the WIN WIN Award compete for SEK 1 million. Candidates for the WIN WIN Youth Award (between the ages of 13-29) compete for SEK 50 thousand. Any organization, movement, business, group of people or individual can be nominated. Nominations must be submitted by 15 January 2024. Gothenburg Sustainability Award
StartupXs — Seed Grant for Social Enterprises
StartupXs invites applications for the 2024 ChangeMakers Seed Funding competition. The competition is open to startups and social enterprises who want to change their community with their innovative business idea. The winner will receive a US$1500 seed grant. Participation is open to any individual (18 and 35 years) or organization in any country. Priority is given to early-stage startups working on an innovative product or idea. The deadline for the submission is 31 December 2023. ChangeMakers Seed Funding