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
social enterprise
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
Access Power — Renewable Energy in Africa
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
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