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
social enterprise
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
Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation — Planning Grants
The Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation (Sida) seeks applications for its Planning Grants program. Grants are awarded to help entrepreneurs explore new markets and research their technology’s impact on the environment and poverty reduction. The programme’s emphasis is on cleantech products, systems, processes, and services in the following focus areas: 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. The maximum amount per projects is SEK350 thousand. The call for applications is open until 04 March 2018 with the possibility to send in a concept note and receive feedback before 14 February. Know more
German Embassy in Jakarta — Small Scale Projects 2018
The German Embassy in Jakarta seeks small scale projects and sustainable project ideas related to sectors of social welfare, agriculture, health, education or environment. The German Embassy financially supports projects of non-governmental and public benefit organisations. Projects receive up to €25 thousand and should aim to improve the livelihoods of populations in rural areas within 6 months. Applications must be received by 15 March 2018. Learn more
EEA and Norway Grants — Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The EEA and Norway Grants support cross-border and transnational project initiatives in ten non-EU Member States. Proposals that fall within the scope of the Terra Viva Grants Directory include environment, energy, and climate change projects, among other focus areas. Grants are available for national and local authorities, NGOs and civil society organisations, private and public enterprises, educational and research institutions, students and teaching staff and social partners. Eligible entities must apply as a consortium, consisting of entities from a minimum of three countries (a list of eligible countries is shared in the announcement). A total of €15 million is made available in the first call for proposals. Deadline for the first step of the application process is 01 July 2018. Details
Swiss Re Foundation — Leadership Prize in Water Management
The International ReSource Award is a prize acknowledging social entrepreneurial thinking and leadership in addressing social and/or ecological issues related to sustainable water management practices in developing and emerging countries. Each of three finalists will receive US$20 thousand and expert assistance to further develop their proposals in order to compete for a first prize of US$75 thousand. Eligibility for the ReSource Award extends to charities, non-profit organizations, and revenue-generating social enterprises working in the areas of water, sanitation, and hygiene in the developing world. The application deadline for short proposals (Step I) is 16 March 2018. Here
Misk Foundation — Misk Grand Challenges (1st application window)
The Misk Foundations seeks innovative ways to positively engage young people (under the age of 30) in Global Citizenship. Participants are invited to propose innovative and creative solutions that uses new knowledge to positively engage young people in efforts that will reduce inequality related to six Global Goals: (1) No poverty; (2) Zero hunger; (3) Good health and well-being; (4) Quality education; (5) Gender equality; and (6) Clean water and sanitation. Over a three-year period, Misk Grand Challenges will launch new challenges, offering 100 young innovators across the world a grant of $100 thousand to develop their ingenious ideas into a concrete proof of concept. The application deadline for the current window is 13 May 2018. Activating Global Citizenship Challenge
National Geographic Society — Sustainable Cities
The National Geographic Society seeks proposals from around the world that aim to test innovative approaches to issues surrounding the production or consumption of energy, food, infrastructure and fresh water in and around cities. Projects may be focused around conservation, education, research, storytelling, or technology. Applicants may request from US$10 thousand to US$150 thousand to be used over one or two years. Short deadline: 03 January 2018. See the Request for Proposals
American Academy for the Advancement of Science — Global Innovation through Science and Technology 2018
The program Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) invites scientists, entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators in 136 emerging countries to compete in the GIST Tech-I Competition 2018. The competition is open to everyone between the ages of 18 to 40 in any sector who has either an idea or a startup in the form of an invention, a product, a service, an app, any combination of these, or something entirely unique. Each participant in the competition submits an executive summary and a promotional video. The top 10 semi-finalists will advance to the Tech-I finals during the 2018 Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Istanbul, Turkey to showcase their ventures and receive intensive training. The application deadline is 28 December 2017. More here
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment — Innovative Use of Land Contracts
The Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) will make two grants of US$10 thousand each for innovative uses of www.OpenLandContracts.org, an online repository of publicly available commercial agriculture and forestry contracts. Users of the website can search contracts by different categories; view summaries of key social, human rights, environmental, fiscal, and operational provisions; compare certain provisions across contracts; and download full contracts. CCSI offers the grants to support and advance innovative uses of the repository and of the content available through it. Applications must be received by CCSI on or before 31 January 2018. Link