Access Power is a developer, owner, and operator of power projects in emerging markets, focusing on Africa and the Middle East. The 2018 edition of the Access Co-Development Facility (ACF) will provide US$7 million to support up to three projects in renewable energy in Africa. Submitted projects must be located in Africa; use a commercially proven technology for power generation; and be based on renewable energy or hybrid power generation. Short-listed applicants will take part in a final selection round in Copenhagen during the Africa Energy Forum (June 2018). The submission period closes on 08 May 2018. Link
social enterprise
FIRE Africa — Women Empowerment and Community Networks
The FIRE Africa Grants support new projects from organisations led by female entrepreneurs focusing on practical solution(s) that use technology to address specific challenges faced by women and girls. Selected projects will receive up to US$15 thousand and benefit from a series of institutional strengthening and capacity building activities aimed at providing the knowledge, tools and contacts needed to further advance successful initiatives. Projects from African-based public or private sector organizations, universities, or research and development institutions, and non-government organizations will be considered. Grants applications close 06 April 2018. More
Tata Trusts — Social Alpha Energy Challenge
The first edition of the Social Alpha Energy Challenge (SAEC) invites individuals and start-ups with innovative technology solutions across the entire energy life cycle to apply to the Social Alpha Energy Challenge. Up to ten winners will be awarded 6-18 months of intense mentoring at the upcoming Tata Smart Energy Incubation Center. The Challenge calls for innovations across the entire energy lifecycle and is open to energy application in all use cases including (but not limited to) households, agriculture, biofuels, and others. The contest is open to individuals, teams or companies. The deadline for application is 07 April 2018. Details here
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland — Southern African Innovation Support Programme
SAIS 2 provides grants to projects that seek to pilot, demonstrate and replicate concepts and prototypes before rolling them out to the market. (Note: this may include one or more thematic areas of the Terra Viva Grants directory). The objective is to support entrepreneurship and early-stage entrepreneurs as well as to strengthen the cooperation amongst innovation organizations in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. Innovation support organizations from research/academia, civil society and private sector are encouraged to apply. The deadline for proposals is 25 April 2018. Find out more
USAID — Young Women Transform Prize
USAID will support youth in developing countries to develop their own solutions to advance the economic empowerment of young women in their communities. Prizes of $15 – $35 thousand will be awarded to grassroots youth-led or youth-serving organizations in low- or middle-income countries to address long-standing barriers to young women’s employment. Applications are due by 30 April 2018. Details
Society for International Development — Andrew E. Rice Award 2018
The Andrew E. Rice Award for Leadership and Innovation recognizes the achievements of an exceptional young professional working in the field of international development. Past winners include field research on agriculture strategies and the creation of low-cost digital games that inspire social change. Candidates must be between 22 to 32 years old and have at least two years of experience in international development in developing countries. The winner will receive $1,000. Candidates must complete the application form by 26 March 2018. Here
Stephen Lloyd Awards — Sustainable Social Change
Applications are open for the Stephen Lloyd Awards. The awards seek nurturing innovative ideas and projects from all around the world that can lead to practical, sustainable social change. This includes one or more categories of the Terra Viva Grants Directory. Funding of up to £20 thousand will be made available to support award winners in developing their initiatives. In addition, ten shortlisted candidates will receive £2 thousand to further develop their ideas. Ideas have to be submitted by 06 April 2018. Know more
International Development Research Centre — Accelerating Climate Action
The IDRC seeks proposals on “Accelerating Climate Action: Social Equity and Empowerment of Women and Girls”. Research projects should produce knowledge which facilitates the scaling and financing of socially-transformative climate action, focussing on the resilience and livelihoods of the most vulnerable communities in the developing world. The Applicant must be a research-oriented organization from academia, the private or public sector (e.g., university, government department, NGO) based in Asia, Africa or Latin America. The expected funding per project is C$500 thousand for 36 months. The deadline for applications is 23 April 2018. Find details
USA, UK, and Canada — Humanitarian Grand Challenge
The U.S. Agency for International Development, the UK Department for International Development, and Grand Challenges Canada seek proposals for the “Creating Hope in Conflict: A Humanitarian Grand Challenge”. Thematic areas that fall in the scope of the Terra Viva Grants Directory include drinking water, sanitation, and energy, among others. Projects should focus on life-saving or life-improving innovations to help the most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach people impacted by humanitarian crises caused by conflict. About 10 to 15 selected projects will receive seed funding of C$250 thousand over a maximum of 24 months to support the validation and testing of new approaches. Few selected projects (about 2 to 4) will receive transition-to-scale funding of up to C$1 million with technical support to support the implementation of innovative solutions that have already achieved proof of concept. Eligible applicants include social enterprises and other recognized institutions (e.g., non-profit organizations and for-profit companies) from all around the world. Interested applicants should create an account no later than 09 April and applications are due on 12 April 2018. The Humanitarian Grand Challenge
African Union Commission — Food, Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture
The African Union Commission calls for research proposals that contribute to the sustainable development of African countries and the fight against poverty under Phase II of the African Union Research Grants programme. The call supports research on: Food, Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture. Selected research projects receive between US$ 500 thousand and US$ 1 million. Eligibility extends to legal entities such as organizations, research institutions, universities, and government ministries from African Union Member States or EU Member States. The deadline for submission of proposals is 22 May 2018. Know more