The AU-EU Youth Action Lab invites youth-led nonprofit organisations to apply for Innovation Grants of €42,000 to design, test, or scale innovative solutions to global challenges. Eligible organisations must be legally registered, 100% youth-led in governance (ages 18–35), and based and operating in one of twelve countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia (Somaliland), Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. The deadline is 23 September 2026. Innovation Grants
social enterprise
AU-EU Youth Lab — Entrepreneurship Grants for Youth-Led Social Enterprises
The AU-EU Youth Action Lab invites youth-led organisations and consortia to apply for Entrepreneurship Grants of €31,500 to support the growth of youth-led social enterprises addressing economic opportunity for young people. Eligible organisations must be youth-led (ages 18–35) and based in one of twelve African focus countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia (Somaliland), Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. The deadline is 23 September 2026. Entrepreneurship Grants
Welthungerhilfe — Global Food System Challenge
Welthungerhilfe and the Seeding The Future Foundation invite nonprofits, academic institutions, and early-stage for-profit or social enterprises worldwide to submit food-system innovations to the 6th Annual Global Food System Challenge, particularly addressing challenges in the Global South. Three award tiers are available: Seed Grants (US$25,000, up to eight awarded, for early prototypes), Growth Grants (US$100,000, up to three awarded), and Grand Prizes (US$250,000, up to two awarded). Eligible applicants are organizations, not individuals, from any country. Applications open 1 January 2027; the deadline is 15 February 2027. Global Food System Challenge
Charity Entrepreneurship — Seed Funding to Launch an Animal Welfare Charity
Charity Entrepreneurship invites applications for a round of its Incubation Program dedicated entirely to animal welfare. The program consists of a boot camp open to individuals who want to create, start, and operate an effective charity. Applicants may come from any country and any professional background. The program is entirely free: it fully covers tuition, materials, and travel, and pays a stipend of US$2,000 to US$10 thousand a month based on individual need, including for dependents or high-cost locations. The deadline to apply is 13 September 2026. Charity Entrepreneurship
Global Resilience Partnership — Climate Resilience Awards
The Climate Resilience Awards for Business recognize businesses worldwide for their measurable contributions to climate resilience in operations, supply chains, or communities. The awards seek to identify and celebrate businesses who are taking action to assess and ensure future resilience to climate change and broader physical risks for themselves, their supply chains and their communities. Finalists and winners will gain online recognition and potential networking opportunities. The application deadline is 30 September 2026. Climate Resilience Awards
Lipman Family Prize — Funding for Social Change
Each year, the Lipman Family Prize awards cash to three social impact organizations – US$250 thousand for the winning organization and US$125 thousand for each of the two other honorees. The award recognizes and amplifies the work of organizations devoted to positive social impact and creating sustainable solutions to significant social and economic challenges. Past winners include projects in the field of improved sanitation, energy innovations, and micro-forestry. Eligibility extends to organizations from all around the world addressing social and economic issues. Applications close on 31 July 2026. Find details
World Summit Awards — Young Innovators Award
Nominations are open for the WSA Young Innovators Awards (young social entrepreneurs under 26 years of age). The awards recognize market-ready digital solutions that create positive social or environmental impact and contribute to one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Eligible applicants include startups, social entrepreneurs, companies, NGOs, student groups, project teams, and individuals. Winners receive global recognition, the opportunity to present their solutions at the WSA Global Congress, mentorship, networking opportunities, workshops, and international visibility. The deadline to apply for WSA Young Innovators is 15 October 2026. Find out more
UNFCCC Technology Mechanism — AI for Climate Action Award
The UNFCCC Technology Mechanism invites applications for the AI for Climate Action Award to elevate open-source, artificial intelligence solutions addressing climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation. Individuals, teams, start-ups, and organizations over the age of 18 are eligible to apply, provided their AI-powered solution is developed in or for least developed countries (LDCs) or small island developing States (SIDS). The program does not offer direct cash grants; instead, finalists receive fully funded travel to the AI for Climate Action Forum in October 2026, and the overall winner receives an all-expenses-paid trip for one person to present their initiative at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye. The deadline for applications is 03 July 2026. AI for Climate Action Award
G20 Global Land Initiative — Nature-Positive Actions: Transforming Lives and Landscapes
The G20 Global Land Initiative, alongside the Global Environment Facility and the World Overview for Conservation Approaches and Technologies, invites impact and human-interest stories for an upcoming digital publication. The program seeks compelling, real-world examples of land restoration efforts that protect biodiversity, scale up regenerative practices, or feature community-led ecosystem recovery. Individuals, on-the-ground practitioners, and members of partner networks worldwide are eligible to submit stories between 1,200 and 2,000 words. While no direct financial grant is specified, selected stories will receive professional editing, publication in multiple United Nations languages, and showcasing at major international forums like UNCCD COP17. The application deadline is 31 July 2026. Nature-Positive Actions
Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum — AWIEF Awards 2026
Each year, the Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum Awards recognize Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners in Africa for their economic performance and contribution to Africa’s growth and social development. There are 8 award categories, including agribusiness and renewable energy. Nominations should only be made relating to achievements made by a female entrepreneur and national of an African country. Nominees can be nominated or self-nominated. The deadline for entries is 03 August 2026. AWIEF Awards