The MIT Climate CoLab organizes contests to solicit the world’s best ideas to prevent and adapt to climate change. The current contest invites projects that focus on the question “How can climate risk insurance be linked with other forms of social protection to help vulnerable communities absorb climate impacts?” The UN Climate Resilience Initiative A2R and InsuResilience will provide seed funding for the implementation of the winning proposal (€40 thousand) and mentoring, training and technical assistance (€12 thousand euros). The deadline for proposal submission is 11 February 2018. Learn more about this contest
social enterprise
European Commission and Indian Department of Science and Technology — EU-India Water Cooperation
The European Commission (under Horizon 2020), the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the Indian Department of Biotechnology (DBT) invite proposals for a multinational research approach in the field of water. The proposed project should develop new and/or adapt existing innovative and affordable solutions for Indian conditions, both in urban and rural areas. This includes drinking water purification, waste water treatment, and real time monitoring. Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least three legal entities from India and three legal entities from Europe. Eligible partners can be from public/private funded academic or research institutions, companies, universities, and non-governmental organisations. The overall project contribution is € 3-5 million for the duration of 3 to 5 years. The joint proposal must be submitted by 27 February 2018. Find the detailed call for proposals
Grassroots Justice Prize — Legal Empowerment for Communities
The Grassroots Justice Prize recognizes grassroots institutions across the globe that are working to put the power of law into people’s hands. Three awards, each of US$10 thousand, are available to non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and public institutions that focus on legal empowerment to tackle poverty, injustice, or other social problems. (Note: These problems may include subject areas in the Terra Viva Grants Directory). The deadline to nominate an organization is 10 November 2017; the deadline for applications is 24 November 2017. Link
African Innovation Fund — Innovation Prize for Africa 2018
The Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) honors and encourages innovative achievements that contribute toward developing new products, increasing efficiency, or saving cost in Africa. Priority areas for the IPA include agriculture and agribusiness; environment, energy, and water; and others. The competition is open to African entrepreneurs, academics, and inventors — and to Africans in the Diaspora if their innovations are of significance for Africa. Prizes are US$100 thousand for the winner, plus two other prizes of US$25 thousand each. Additionally, finalists will receive a voucher for US$5 thousand in post-prize technical support to assist in moving their innovations to the next step. The deadline for applications is 10 January 2018. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Food Security and Development
The United States Agency for International Development invites applications for funding from organizations that develop innovative technologies, data and methods that can help to better understand food security and development problems. Successful applicants are expected to carry out activities that develop, test or apply innovative methods for monitoring or evaluating Feed the Future/Global Food Security Strategy activities or programs. Funding is up to $1 million per project over a three-year period. Eligibility extends to U.S. and non-U.S., non-profit or for-profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations. Closing date for applications is 12 October 2018. For more information, please visit Grants.gov
Wageningen University — Course on Wetlands, Integrated Water Resources Management and Food Security
The Wageningen UR Centre for Development Innovation invites participants for its short-term course on “Wetlands, Integrated Water Resources Management and Food Security”. The course will be held in the Netherlands from 4 June 2018 until 22 June 2018. The course has been designed for wetland managers; river basin and land-use planners; policymakers, consultants, researchers, NGOs, and companies. Proficiency in English is required.The deadline to apply for course scholarships through the Netherlands Fellowship Program (NFP) is 18 October 2017. About the course
Euromena Consulting — Awards for African Start-ups
Euromena Consulting launches the first edition of its Euromena Awards. The awards are intended for companies or innovative projects with social, economic, environmental and/or societal impact. Proposed projects should be related to Africa and/or be established in the region. The three winners will receive coaching and support for 6 months and share a €10 thousand financial reward. Applications must be sent before 22 October 2017. Find out more
Rise Fund — Under 30 Impact Challenge
The Rise Fund is partnering with Forbes and Echoing Green to sponsor the “Under 30 Impact Challenge.” The challenge is designed to celebrate entrepreneurs around the world, under the age of 30, who are building successful for-profit enterprises that drive positive social and environmental impact. The eligible sectors include energy, food and agriculture, and five others. Applicants must be under age 30, and their businesses must be in a growth phase. There are no restrictions by nationality or residence. The winner will qualify for an investment of US$250 thousand by The Rise Fund, plus an in-kind media grant by Forbes. The submission deadline is 06 September 2017.
European Commission — Mediterranean Cross-Border Cooperation
The EC announces the first call for proposals of the ENI CBC “Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme 2014-2020″. The program aims to promote business and entrepreneurship (including in agriculture), and to promote coordination of efforts for environmental protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation. Project partnerships should be composed of a minimum of three eligible countries, including at least one EU Mediterranean Country and one Mediterranean Partner Country. Partner countries are Jordan, Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia (and others expected to be announced soon). The closing date for project submissions is 09 November 2017. Find more information
ASEAN Impact Challenge — Accelerating the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals
This regional programme is designed to discover innovators and strengthen new innovations from Southeast Asia. Categories are early-stage innovations (proposals, ideas, concepts and prototypes) and scale-stage innovation (proven social innovations with the potential and capacity to increase impact). Initiatives by participant teams have ranged from waste management, agriculture, and environment — among others. Finalists will showcase their innovations to investors and other corporate organisations. The deadline for entries is 09 September 2017. More about the ASEAN Impact Challenge