The Terra Viva Grants Directory brings free funding information to the developing world. Please consider making a donation to support our operations.

The Terra Viva Grants Directory develops and manages information about grants for agriculture, energy, environment, and natural resources in the world's developing countries.

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

Wuppertal Institute — Sustainable Energy Project Support

WISIONS of Sustainability is an initiative of the Wuppertal Institute to nurture innovative energy projects and to foster knowledge exchanges between practitioners. The supporting scheme SEPS (Sustainable Energy Project Support) has launched its first call for proposals in 2018 to focus on projects and knowledge exchanges for the Caribbean, Latin America, and Southern and Southeast Asia. Short deadline: 26 February 2018. Info

U.S. Department of State — Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs Program

The US Department of State provides entrepreneurship training, mentoring, and support for female students currently enrolled at Indian universities. Ideas may be based on scientific or technological research undertaken at the university or innovation created by the student independently. Selected participants will take part in a six-week online course, meet for an intense weekend workshop at the Nexus Startup Hub at the American Center New Delhi, and travel to Texas for a two-week program exploring commercial opportunities and markets. Application deadline is 16 March 2018. More

Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors — Cities for our Future Challenge 2018

The Cities for our Future Challenge is a global competition run by the Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in partnership with UNESCO and the ACU. Young professional, start-ups and students involved in surveying, urban design, architecture, or engineering are invited to submit innovative ideas for projects and policies that solve issues in the topics of Rapid Urbanisation, Climate Change, and Resource Scarcity. The winner will receive €50 thousand and mentoring to develop a prototype. Ideas have to be submitted by 31 May 2018. Participate!

SEED — SAG-Seed Replicator Workshops for Eco-Enterprises in Ghana

SEED is a global partnership founded by UNEP, UNDP, and IUCN to promote eco-enterprises. The program announces its next replicator workshop in Ghana. The replicator workshop of one day introduce motivated individuals to proven business models from various countries. Participants will learn how to adapt them to your individual local context to solve environmental, social and economic challenges. Focus areas are waste management and sustainable tourism. Future entrepreneurs, business owners and NGOs are welcome to apply. The participation in the workshop is free of charge, participants must cover their own transport costs however. The application deadline is 04 March 2018. About the workshop

International Youth Foundation — Global Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs

The Laureate Global Fellowship, sponsored by Laureate International Universities, recognizes 20 young leaders from around the world who have pioneered solutions to urgent social and environmental challenges in their communities and beyond. Laureate Global Fellows begin their fellowship experience at a week-long training retreat and gain access to opportunities for needs-based personal and organizational development. Applicants must be 18 – 29 years old and founder or co-founder of a venture with at least one year of impact. Deadline for applications is 06 March 2018. Learn more about this fellowship

BMCE Bank of Africa — African Entrepreneurship Award 2018

The African Entrepreneurship Award is a business competition inviting young African entrepreneurs to submit their entrepreneurial ideas in two categories, one of which is “Innovation” for projects and business ideas that aim to solve pressing issues in Africa. This refers to business proposals that innovate to create jobs and improve lives addressing problems in areas such as food security, water access, sustainable energy, deforestation,and others. Submissions are invited from for-profit businesses managed by Africans who are at least 18 years old. The competition winners will share US$1 million. The closing date is 30 April 2018. About the African Entrepreneurship Award

Bestseller Foundation — Enterprises in Agriculture and Environment

The Bestseller Foundation provides financial support for sustainable agriculture, sustainable jobs and entrepreneurship, and environment and nature conservation in China, Africa and India. The foundation invests mainly with commercial actors in for-profit projects by means of loans and equity. Nonprofit organizations and projects may sometimes be eligible if they have clear and commercially viable objectives. In some cases, the Foundation may consider grants or donations. Potential partners in the eligible regions contact the Foundation by telephone or email, and present a short concept note. Find details

Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation — Demonstration Environment Projects

The Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation (Sida) seeks applications for its Demonstration Grants program. Proposed projects should be international technology and knowledge exchanges involving new and sustainable solutions which positively and measurably impact the environment and poverty reduction. The programme’s focus areas are climate change adaptation/mitigation; ecosystem services; renewable energy; water and sanitation; and urban development. Eligibility extends to companies or organisations based in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Grants range from SEK 500 thousand to SEK 1.8 million. Applications will be reviewed in two steps. In the first step, applicants submit concept notes. In the second step, applicants whose project ideas have been reviewed and accepted in the first step will be invited to submit a full application. Concept notes have to be submitted no later than 14 February 2018. Know more