The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) launches an award to promote youth initiatives for innovation in rural areas. The award will promote the initiatives of young people who are taking action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in rural areas. IFAD seeks solutions that constitute examples of good practices and technologies applied and implemented to overcome the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the region. The initiative should contribute to solving problems related to rural areas, especially with small local producers. Participants must be young nationals (18-35 years) of Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants will compete for financial resources, products and services, and loans. Interested initiatives have to register by 04 April 2021. Link to the award
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Mindselo — Mindselo Global Impact Fellowship
Mindselo is a personal growth platform that seeks to transform ideas into wisdom. The Mindselo Global Impact Fellowship (MGIF) Program for young world-changers and academics aims to build a large network of passionate and conscious individuals who spark positive change around the world. The program provides access to Mindselo resources during the period of the fellowship and a global network of visionaries from different backgrounds. The registration deadline is 28 February 2021. Submissions via Google Forms
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — International Innovation Award for Sustainable Food and Agriculture
FAO and the Federal Government of Switzerland invite applications for the International Innovation Award for Sustainable Agriculture on the theme ‘Innovation to transform food systems’. Individuals, private companies and institutions worldwide may submit agricultural innovations (digital innovation, products, or practices) that contribute to the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development. The innovation award is divided in two categories: Category A (US$ 30 thousand) for excellence in digitization and innovation for sustainable food systems; Category B (US$ 30 thousand) recognizes an innovation that specifically empowers youth (under 35) in sustainable food systems. The call closes on 19 March 2021. Innovation Awards
U.S. Agency for International Development — Youth Development & Economic Growth in Zimbabwe
USAID/Zimbabwe seeks applications from qualified youth-focused local entities to provide program design support services and co-design the youth-led Local Works Zimbabwe Youth Program. The grant recipient will be responsible for setting up, coordinating and managing day-to-day operations and implementation of the Local Works Collaborative Action Network for youth development in Zimbabwe. USAID intends to make an award of US$250 thousand to the best applicant. Eligibility is restricted to Zimbabwean organizations. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 04 January 2021. Link
European Commission — Civil Society Development in Suriname
The European Commission (EC) aims to strengthen civil society organizations in Suriname. The EC seeks applications for projects that enhance life in Suriname’s hinterland communities. Projects with focus on climate change mitigation, women’s empowerment, and youth participation may request up to €1 million. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations established in the European Union or Suriname. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 15 February 2021. Details
RECOFTC — Video Competition 2020
RECOFTC seeks submissions to a video competition. This year’s video competition focuses on how our health and well-being depend on how we protect the forests and the environment around us. The video should highlight how protecting forests can prevent future pandemics. The contest is open to high school students, university students younger than 35 and students residing in the Asia-Pacific region. The winners of the competition will be recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and RECOFTC, and receive a GoPro camera. The submission deadline for videos is 08 November 2020. Forests Pandemics Video Competition
African Leadership Academy — South African Ideas Festival
The South African Ideas Festival (SAIF) is an entrepreneurial development festival for the young African leaders with ideas to bring meaningful change in their societies. The categories for application are based on the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), Goal 15 (Life on Land), and Goal 13 (Climate Action), among others. Applicants must be between the ages of 14-19 years and apply in teams consisting of 3-5 people. Participants can win cash prizes and consulting services with African Leadership Consulting Group. The application deadline is 02 January 2021. Link to SAIF
United Nations Development Program — Arab States Youth Futures Fellowship
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) invites youth from the Arab States region to submit creative solutions on the future of climate change and/or civic engagement. Ideas can be submitted through poetry, an article, a story, a monologue, a piece of art, videos, objects from the future (that exist in 2030), dance, music, or any medium of the participant’s choosing. Up to 30 young people will be selected to take part in the Youth Futures Fellowship, a five-week capacity building opportunity. Participants must be between 19 and 20 years old and be from a country in the Arab States region. The deadline for submissions is 25 October 2020. Details
Climate Tracker — Southeast Asia Media Research Fellowship
Climate Tracker seeks young researchers with media experience to explore the green transition from COVID-19 in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The aim of the research project is to help develop a clearer understanding of the region’s media coverage of this theme and will involve interviews with several journalists to identify their challenges, needs for support, and capacity building. The application is open to journalists (aged 18-35) from Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Applications have to be submitted by 30 October 2020. More information
Kingdom of Bahrain — King Hamad Award for Sustainable Development
The Kingdom of Bahrain seeks youth contribution and projects that enable youth participation for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The first category of the King Hamad Award is open to individuals (under the age of 30) or a youth-focused entity that develop initiatives to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet’s natural resources and climate, and promote peace. Five winners will receive US$20 thousand each. The second category is open to governmental, private sector, media, and nonprofit entities. Three winners will receive US$25 thousand each. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2020. More information