The Commonwealth Secretariat launches the “Think Trade, Think Green: Commonwealth Innovative Youth Essay Award Competition.” This competition invites young researchers and students aged 18-29 to explore the relationship between trade and climate change and propose how trade policy can be part of the solution to the climate crisis. The first prize is £1,000, the second and third prizes are £500 each. Applicants must be Commonwealth nationals to participate in this competition. The submission deadline is 21 August 2024. Youth Essay Award Competition
South Asia
Swedish International Development Agency — Training Program: Locally Controlled Forest Restoration
The LoCoFoRest (Locally Controlled Forest Restoration) training program aims to build capacity in national, regional, and local institutions and organizations in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. The program will give participants the skills and knowledge to support local communities and entrepreneurs to make forest and landscape restoration scalable. The training consists of a web-based preparatory course, three weeks of training in Sweden, and a project in the participants’ home countries. The application should be made by the individual applicant but needs to be endorsed by an employer. International travel, accommodation, food, costs for lectures, and study tours are covered by the organizer. The application deadline is 01 September 2024. Link to LoCoFoRest
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Conservation in Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) seeks to empower communities and civil society in Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands to implement actions to improve the resilience of species, ecosystems, and human populations to climate change. CEPF intends to make small grants of up to US$50 thousand in support of strengthening the capacity of local communities and civil society at regional and local levels to enhance adaptive capacity and reduce exposure to climate change risks, and supporting research and ensure the dissemination of results for the promotion and improvement of knowledge on ecosystem-based adaptation actions. Eligibility extends to NGOs, community groups, private enterprises, universities, and other civil society applicants. The closing date for letters of inquiry is 13 September 2024. More
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office — Research, Science, and Innovation Leadership Fellowship
The Chevening Research, Science and Innovation Leadership Fellowship (CRISP) is aimed at mid-career professionals with very high potential in the fields of science, innovation, and business from India and Sri Lanka. Each fellowship includes program fees, living expenses for the duration of the fellowship, and return economy airfare from India or Sri Lanka to the UK. To be eligible for a Chevening CRISP Fellowship, applicants must have a postgraduate level qualification and at least seven years’ work experience prior to applying. CRISP is open for applications until 10 October 2024. Link to the program
Earth Journalism Network — Grants for Video Content Production
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) seeks to boost video content production and distribution of information to build awareness about renewable energy in all states of India. To improve public awareness about the country’s efforts to decarbonize and scale its renewable energy capacity, EJN is providing fellowships for the production of video content. EJN will provide remuneration and mentorship to each selected applicant. The budget should cover reporting and production costs amounting to a maximum of INR 2.75 lakhs for a video of around 8 minutes in length. Proposals from all states in India are eligible. The application deadline is 16 August 2024. Know more
Gray Matters Capital — coLABS Impact Investing Fund
coLABS seeks scalable social enterprises that have the potential to dramatically improve the lives of women and girls around the world. coLABS strategically funds entrepreneurs and early-stage ventures that leverage women, and their critical role in the community through revenue-share investment capital. Seed investment ranges from US$100 thousand to US$250 thousand. Focus regions are South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Pre-screen forms can be submitted on a rolling basis. Details
Friends of Nepal — Nepal Grants
Friends of Nepal (FoN) supports initiatives that fight climate change and environmental degradation and provide solutions to agricultural and economic development in Nepal. FoN welcomes applications that simultaneously address climate change, natural resource conservation, and sustainability as well as economic development. The average grant size is approximately US$5 thousand per project. Organizations must be based in either the United States or Nepal. The application deadline is 20 August 2024. Nepal Grants
Irish Aid — SDG Challenge 2024
The SDG Challenge invites research teams to develop innovative solutions that contribute to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”. Eligible partner countries are Cambodia; Laos; Palestine; Vietnam; ODA-eligible countries on the African continent; and ODA-eligible Small Island Developing States. Teams will receive up to €250 thousand to develop their idea. Workshop Support Grants of up to €5.000 are available to potential applicants to facilitate team formation and seed idea generation before applying. The application deadline is 08 October 2024. SDG Challenge
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission — Professional Fellowships 2024/25
Commonwealth Professional Fellowships support mid-career professionals from developing Commonwealth countries to make professional visits (typically of three months) with UK host organizations. Applications are invited in the thematic area of clean energy, air, and oceans. Fellows must be Commonwealth citizens, refugees, or British-protected persons — and they must be permanent residents in a developing Commonwealth country. Applications are submitted by UK host organizations. The closing date for applications is 05 August 2024. Commonwealth Professional Fellowships
Right Sharing of World Resources — Seed Grants for Women’s Microcredit Projects
Right Sharing of World Resources (RSWR) makes seed grants to support income-generating projects led by women. RSWR’s current priorities are grassroots organizations selected states and districts of India; and Quaker groups in Kenya and Sierra Leone. Projects include many in the production and sale of fruits and vegetables; meat and milk; grain crops; fish; fuelwood; and other enterprises associated with small-scale agriculture and rural livelihoods. Grants are usually US$5,500 (but many are considerably smaller) for a one-year project. The application deadline is 31 December each year. (However, RSWR recommends earlier submissions of at least a month prior to the deadline to allow time for revisions.) Link to guidelines