The Blue Economy Accelerator focuses on Blue economy startups from Africa. The program is designed to support women and youth-owned, ocean-based enterprises to sustain business growth through facilitating access to financing, business support, and technology adoption. The program will secure investment from a pre-selected pool of investors focusing on early stage funding of up to US$500 thousand. The application window will close on 29 August 2021. Blue Economy Accelerator
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United States Agency for International Development — Digital Storytelling Contest
The Global Leadership and Education Advancing Development (Global LEAD) Initiative invites submissions to the digital storytelling contest to show how youth are using the power of change to make the world a better place. Young changemakers between the ages of 18 and 35 can submit an original, three-minute video or slideshow in Arabic, English, French, or Spanish that tells the story of their youth-led actions to advance their community. Stories must be linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the key issues: Climate Action and Food Security/Resilience. Voting will open on the platform on July 1 and close on 23 July 2021. Be aware that early submissions have more chances to get more votes. Global LEAD Digital Storytelling Contest
Youth in Agroecology and Business Learning Track Africa — Business Accelerator
The YALTA Business Accelerator calls upon SMEs in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda to submit their agroecological ideas for a sustainable, healthy and diverse food system. 10 selected participants will benefit from skills training, innovation jams and coaching to improve their ideas and turn them into a plan. Three winners will receive a matching grant of up to US$5 thousand to start implementing their ideas. Eligibility extends to young entrepreneurs in agriculture, food and nutrition who manage a local business. Applications have to be submitted by 30 June 2021. YALTA Business Accelerator
International Secretariat for Water — Global Youth Take Action
Global Youth Take Action invites projects with the objective to support the implementation of youth-led initiatives related to sustainable water resources management and climate change adaptation. The call for projects aims to support initiatives regarding water & health, water & agriculture, water-related risks, and water sharing working towards Sustainable Development Goals. Selected projects will receive financial support up to CA$5 thousand each and technical support. The project must be led and implemented by youth aged between 18 and 35. Projects from low- and middle-income countries, projects targeting indigenous communities, projects led by young women and projects targeting women will be prioritized. The application deadline is 30 June 2021. Global Youth Take Action
Colas Group — Responsible Infrastructures
The Colas Group seeks innovative yet pragmatic and achievable ideas for responsible infrastructures that address the need for the local area’s socio-economic development while taking climate and social challenges into account. Winners receive small cash awards and product prizes. Topics include creating solutions to adapt infrastructure to climate change. Eligibility to apply to this challenge extends to students currently enrolled at a post-secondary institution or who recently graduated less than 2 years before the current scholar year. The challenge closes 30 May 2021. Colas CSR Challenge
European Commission — Youth Activism in North Macedonia
The European Commission (EC) supports civic youth initiatives, activism and volunteering for improving the local governance through increased inclusiveness and society impact of young citizens in the local community. Funding will support civic youth initiatives that strengthen innovation in local communities, improve resilience and greening, or ensure social inclusiveness. Grants requested my fall between the amounts of €150 thousand and €300 thousand. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations in North Macedonia. The deadline for submitting applications is 21 June 2021. Know more
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization — African World Heritage Day 2021
UNESCO invites project proposals for raising awareness and engagement of youth in the protection and promotion of African World Heritage. The competition targets youth, aged 18 to 35 years, in 13 Eastern African countries (Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda). Proposals from NGOs or institutions are not eligible. Proposals must include a detailed budget breakdown for a total amount up to US$5 thousand. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2021. Link to the open competition for youth
Climate Tracker — Drylands Journalism Fellowship
Climate Tracker gives young journalists from Africa the opportunity to receive training, attend and cover Global Landscapes Forum 2021 (June 2021). The digital conference focused on Africa’s drylands and how integrative restoration practices. 5 journalists will receive a storytelling grant to produce more in-depth pieces, as a follow-up from the conference. This opportunity is open for early-career reporters across the African continent. Stories can be published in English or French. The deadline to apply is 10 May 2021. Drylands Journalism Fellowship
Yunus&Youth — Fellowship Program for Social Entrepreneurs
The Yunus&Youth Fellowship Program is a six-month online program for young social entrepreneurs from all around the world. The program is designed for young early-stage social business leaders that have the potential to solve community-based problems with focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Participants will be matched with a mentor, participate in expert webinars with business professionals and receive help with business plan development. In the final stage of the program, fellows will present their social businesses to a team of real investors to shape their presentation skills and test their pitch decks. The deadline to submit applications is 20 June 2021. Learn about the Y&Y Fellowship Program
Student Energy — Greenpreneurs
Greenpreneurs supports young people to foster a generation of climate and development leaders that work collaboratively to implement green solutions. The program features virtual webinars, mentorship and weekly tasks supplemented with online resources. The top three participating teams will win US$5 thousand per team in seed funding to get their initiative started. Greenpreneurs is open to teams of young people aged 17-35 and welcomes applications from around the world. The application deadline is 27 April 2021. More about Greenpreneurs