Energy Efficiency Innovation Challenge calls for the submission of business ideas or solutions that can contribute to lowering energy consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Eligibility extends to companies operating or based in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The deadline for submissions of EOIs is 01 November 2021. Energy Efficiency Innovation Challenge
social enterprise
Ashoka — Fellowship Mexico, Central America, Caribbean
The Ashoka Fellowship selects social entrepreneurs with high impact and systems change projects in Mexico, Central American and Caribbean countries. Ashoka seeks projects with innovative strategies, methods, or new approaches to address opportunities and problems. Initiatives need to solve a problem at the root level and have the potential to generate geographically scaled impact. Applications have to be submitted by 16 October 2021. Ashoka Fellowship
PES Latam Alliance — Support for Social Entrepreneurs in Latin America
PES Latam Alliance supports social entrepreneurs in Latin America to accelerate their impact in the region. The Bridge for Billions program seeks social businesses with innovative solutions working to improve the lives of the most vulnerable. Selected social enterprises will be able to access up to US$50 thousand of seed capital, support through courses and events, training with alliance partners, and a community of entrepreneurs. The applicants must be a registered hybrid or for-profit business and must have been operating (selling product/service) for at least a year. The application form has to be submitted by 20 October 2021. Bridge for Billions Fellowship
Famae — Sustainable Innovations Challenge
The company Famae seeks innovative and concrete solutions to fight against climate change, everywhere in the world, around waste, water, food, habitat, energy and mobility. Solutions should be pragmatic, efficient, durable, and money-saving to make life easier for urban citizens while reducing their environmental footprint. Individuals, teams, businesses, government entities, universities and organizations are eligible to apply. The maximum award is €1 million which may be allocated to a single exceptional project to cover the production of a prototype. Applications will be accepted until 15 October 2021. Find the terms and conditions
Young Water Solutions — Young Water Fellowship Program: Uganda
Young Water Solutions supports young entrepreneurs to launch their water and sanitation related social businesses. The Young Water Fellowship provides training, seed-funding and mentorship. The workshop aims to empower its participants to implement projects addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), water pollution, and water scarcity. All training costs (flights, transportation, accommodation, meals) are covered by the organization. To be eligible, applicants must be 18 to 30 years old, intend to stay in Uganda for at least 1.5 years after the training and spend at least 15 hours per week to work on their social business. The call for applications is open until 21 October 2021. Link
Ministry of Economic Affairs Taiwan — Taiwan Excellence Awards
The “Taiwan Excellence: Sharing is Caring” campaign solicits proposals for philanthropic events on issues relating to social concerns and environmental protection. The three best proposals will be awarded US$10 thousand each. The funds for executing each of the three best proposals shall be decided by the organizers, provided that the funds for implementation do not exceed US$150 thousand. Any natural persons or legal persons may submit proposals. Proposals must be submitted by 31 October 2021. Taiwan Excellence Awards
MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab — Arab Startup Competition 2022
The Arab Startup Competition is a yearly competition run by the MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab in three different tracks: Ideas; Startups; and Social Entrepreneurship. Previous winners include examples in agricultural irrigation, transportation efficiency, and other green themes. The winning entrepreneurs are awarded prizes of up to US$50 thousand as well as training, mentorship, coaching, media exposure, and networking opportunities. Eligible enterprises can be located in any Arab country, and each team must have at least two members. The application deadline is 06 December 2021. Link to the competition
U.S. African Development Foundation — Mandela Washington Fellows Program
The Mandela Washington Fellows Program provides up to US$25 thousand in funding to African-owned, sustainable social ventures. Venture must be based in and operate in Sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants have to demonstrate how the venture will improve and change the communities in which the grants are implemented. Applications are open until 21 September 2021. More info here
Young Water Solutions — Young Water Fellowship Program: Senegal
Young Water Solutions supports young entrepreneurs to launch their water and sanitation related social businesses. The Young Water Fellowship provides training, seed-funding and mentorship. The bootcamp aims to empower its participants to implement projects addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), water pollution, and water scarcity. After the bootcamps Fellows can apply for a funding of up to €5 thousand to pilot their business models over 6 months. To be eligible, applicants must be 18 to 30 years old, be fluent in French, intend to stay in Senegal for at least 1.5 years after the training and spend at least 15 hours per week to work on their social business. The call for applications is open until 22 September 2021. Young Water Fellowship Senegal
RISE Fellowship — WASH Seed Funding
The RISE fellowship supports early-stage female entrepreneurs (or female-led NGOs) working to resolve critical water, sanitation or hygiene issues in emerging economies. The fellowship provides mentorship, seed funding (US$1,000 – US$5,000) and resources to female entrepreneurs living in low to middle income countries. Applicants are invited to submit an idea for an initiative that will improve the local water, sanitation and hygiene of their own community. The fellowship is open to women worldwide. The application deadline is 31 August 2021. RISE Fellowship