The EEP for Southern and East Africa announces a new call for projects in renewable energy, energy saving, and energy efficiency. Call 14 is for early-stage projects off-grid and on-grid clean energy projects in active development phase in the range of €200 thousand to €1 million, varying with co-financing contributions. Projects should be implemented in one or more of the following countries: Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia or Zimbabwe. The deadline for first-stage applications is 28 June 2018. Find the application guidelines
social enterprise
World Bank — Competition for Women Entrepreneurs
The World Bank Group, in partnership with Wharton School’s Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research, UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women, seeks applications for its “SDGs & Her Competition for Women Entrepreneurs”. SDGs&Her is an online competition for women entrepreneurs from all around the world to showcase how they are supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their business operations. The competition is open to women-owned and/or women-lead microenterprises. The top winners will be recognized at an event on the margins of the 2018 UN General Assembly Week in New York City (September 2018). The deadline for applications is 30 June 2018. Details
Google.org – Google Impact Challenge Kenya
The Google Impact Challenge Kenya supports non-profit organizations and social enterprises with game-changing ideas to create economic opportunity in their communities. Finalists get access to Google.org funding, mentorship and resources. Four winners will receive a US$250 thousand grant each and training from Google. Eligible nonprofits and social enterprises are invited to apply by 04 July 2018. Learn more
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation — City Region Food Systems
The SDC calls for proposals for innovations in city region food systems that can reach millions of people living in poverty. The proposed projects under this call should focus on small and middle-sized towns (market towns) in developing countries. Eligibility extends to local or international institutions. Applicants may request up to CHF 1.2 million per year for a total of 8 years (2 phase program). Applications are due by 11 June 2018. Find the call for proposals
Unilever — Young Entrepreneurs Awards 2018
The Unilever Young Entrepreneurs Awards invite nominations of individuals ages 18 to 35 anywhere in the world who have initiatives, products, or services that address sustainability challenges in four categories. The categories are “farm to table” (sustainable agriculture and food and drink nutrition); opportunities for women; waste management; and water management. The awards will be made to individuals who are putting their ideas into action, i.e., who are already having an impact. Unilever will recognise up to eight winners in 2018, each of whom will be awarded a cash prize in addition to one-to-one mentoring support for a year. The overall winner will receive the “HRH The Prince of Wales Young Sustainability Entrepreneur Prize” of €50 thousand. The deadline for nominations is 30 June 2018. Link
Alice and Global Entrepreneurship Network — Global Pitch Competition for Social Entrepreneurs
Alice and Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), along with partners Johnson & Johnson and Dell, invites applications for Pitch with Purpose, a global pitch competition for social enterprises centered around solutions to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Three finalists will be invited to pitch live in front of a panel of judges, funders and media in October 2018. The top pitch will receive $15 thousand, a Dell computer and mentorship from a business experts. The deadline to apply is 31 July 2018. Interested?
Government of Canada — Women’s Economic Empowerment in Ghana
The Government of Canada seeks preliminary proposals (stage I) under the Innovation for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Ghana call. (Note: This may include one or more categories of the Terra Viva Grant Directory). Proposals must contribute to the achievement of enhanced economic empowerment, well-being and inclusive economic growth for women in Ghana. Successful pre-proposals will be invited to submit a full project (stage II) and be considered for funding, receiving between $5 million and $10 million over a period of five years. Applications can be submitted in English or French until 06 June 2018. Find the call
United States-India Science & Technology Endowment Fund — 9th Call for Proposals
The USISTEF announces its 9th competitive call for proposals to commercialize technologies for societal impact. Priority areas include health, education, agriculture, water, and others. Proposals must include at least one partner from each country, India and USA. Funding is up to Rs. 2.5 crores (approximately US$400 thousand) for projects that demonstrate a high potential to be commercial within 2-3 years. The bi-national teams can include incorporated companies; non-incorporated entities; and individuals or consortia from academic, government, and non-government R&D institutions. The deadline for full proposals is 15 June 2018. Link
Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation — Pitch AgriHack 2018
The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), with the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB) launches the Pitch AgriHack 2018. The theme for this year’s edition is “Women entrepreneurs innovate for agricultural transformation in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific”. The competition is open to both male and female founders and co-founders of e-agri startups offering digital services to the agricultural sector. Applicants must be aged between 18 to 35 years and need to be nationals and residents of African, Caribbean or Pacific countries. 50% of finalists will be women founders or co-founders of startups. Up to nine winning companies will receive a cash prize of up to € 15 thousand each. The deadline for registration is 21 May 2018. About Pitch AgriHack
U.S. Agency for International Development — Accelerating Women Entrepreneurs
USAID accepts applications for the Accelerating Women Entrepreneurs prize. The prize provides acceleration services including investment readiness consulting, investor matchmaking support, and business analysis to women entrepreneurs. Projects may be focussing on various thematic areas around the main topic agriculture, including aquaculture/livestock, pest management, irrigation and water, and postharvest among others. Eligibility extends to women-owned or operated commercial enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa that provide services and projects to smallholder farmers. Applications must be submitted by 25 April 2018. Follow this link