The Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards recognizes projects and contributions in advancing the sustainable development goals in Commonwealth countries. The Award has five categories: (1) Well-being (i.e. health, education, human rights etc.); (2) Prosperity (i.e. economic development, trade, etc.); (3) Peace; (4) Planet and the natural environment; and (5) Partnerships for sustainable development. 15 winners will each receive a trophy, a certificate and prize money of £3 thousand. Eligibility extends to individuals, governments, social enterprises, and businesses in Commonwealth countries. The deadline for nominations is 31 January 2021. Innovation for Sustainable Development Award 2021
social enterprise
Flame Tree Initiative — AgriBusiness Development Entrepreneurship Lab
Flame Tree Initiative (FTI) provides training, partnerships, and resources to promising African entrepreneurs seeking to create enterprises that address local development challenges. DELab is a development entrepreneur training program for aspiring social entrepreneurs and individuals who want to launch or scale their agricultural enterprise. DElab is a free virtual workshop for 20-25 participants. Applicants must propose an idea for a social enterprise focused on the agricultural sector. Submissions will be accepted until 06 November 2020. AgriBusiness DElab
University of Waterloo — Online Workshop: Green Entrepreneurship
The University of Waterloo, in partnership with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) and the EcoInnovation Network, invites students and aspiring entrepreneurs to register in a six-part series of free online workshops on green entrepreneurship. The workshop targets researchers, youth, aspiring environmental and social entrepreneurs from across North America (including Mexico). The workshop provides practical knowledge and resources for those interested in launching green startups. Sessions start on 27 October 2020 with simultaneous translation in three languages (English, French and Spanish). Link to more information
Kingdom of Bahrain — King Hamad Award for Sustainable Development
The Kingdom of Bahrain seeks youth contribution and projects that enable youth participation for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The first category of the King Hamad Award is open to individuals (under the age of 30) or a youth-focused entity that develop initiatives to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet’s natural resources and climate, and promote peace. Five winners will receive US$20 thousand each. The second category is open to governmental, private sector, media, and nonprofit entities. Three winners will receive US$25 thousand each. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2020. More information
OpenIDEO — Reimagine Charitable Giving Challenge
The Reimagine Charitable Giving Challenge seeks innovative digital ideas on how we might reinforce a culture of generosity by creating charitable giving solutions that are more accessible, inclusive, and effective. Ideas, concepts, startups and organizations at any stage of development are invited to participate and may be submitted to the challenge. Up to 10 concepts will be selected as finalists and receive a share of up to US$100 thousand in prize funding. Submissions are accepted until 06 November 2020. Click for details
Nestlé — Creating Shared Value Prize for a Waste-Free Future
Nestlé and Ashoka welcome applications to the Nestlé “Creating Shared Value” Prize. The 2020 Prize seeks innovative solutions to address global pollution challenges and supports initiatives that work towards a waste-free future. Social enterprises, for-profit businesses and NGOs worldwide are eligible to apply. Applications from local grassroots organizations are preferred over applications from international large-scale organizations. Up to five winners will share a cash prize of CHF250 thousand. The deadline for applications is 06 December 2020. Guidelines
EnAccess Foundation — Open Source Innovations for Energy Access
The EnAccess Foundation invites proposals for open source innovations focusing on providing energy access with livelihood focus in Tanzania. The idea is to provide households, businesses, and institutions with access to electricity and reduce energy poverty. Each project may request a grant of up to US$ 150 thousand. Eligibility extends to start-ups, companies, non-profits, individual innovators, investors, and researchers. Organizations should have a minimum of 1-2 years of business operations. The final submission deadline is 30 October 2020. Projects are selected for funding on a rolling basis, therefore, earlier submissions are highly recommended. Energy Access
U.S. Agency for International Development — Water Resources Management for WASH in Nigeria
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) accepts concept papers with focus on reducing water borne diseases. USAID intends to provide direct awards to new and underutilized local organizations in Nigeria or locally established partners. Projects should address the priority area of water and sanitation, behavior change related to WASH practices, or WASH institutional development and watershed management. USAID intends to provide up to US$10 million in total funding to be allocated over five years. The closing date for applications is 02 November 2020. Link
Business Partnerships Platform — COVID-19 Recovery
The Australian Government calls for partnerships to help support COVID-19 recovery in Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines, Timor-Leste and Tonga. The program seeks projects which create social impact in the following areas: green recovery (including tourism), economic opportunities (including agriculture, renewable energy), capacity building, and digitalisation. Selected projects will receive from A$100 thousand to A$500 thousand in funding to scale a business initiative for social impact. Businesses, social enterprises, investors, and organizations are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is 04 November 2020. Details here
United Nations Institute for Training and Research — Social Entrepreneurship Training Program for Women
The UNITAR Social Entrepreneurship Training Program for Women aims to empower women with the knowledge and skills of entrepreneurship to address socio-economic challenges in Africa. The training will be delivered in English and consists of mentoring, pitching, planning, and outcome evaluation. This program is open for women, including members of small and medium enterprises, government agencies and academic institutions, from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan. Applications will be received until 06 September 2020. Link to Women Entrepreneurship