August Impact Funding Opportunities

See the most recent edition here - September 2024

Welcome to the August edition of Impact Funding Opportunities - a curated list of funding and grant opportunities for purpose-driven organizations (both for-profit and non-profits) around the globe committed to making a positive impact. This list covers a wide range of impact sectors and focuses on larger grant opportunities (typically USD $100,000 and above). The list is updated a few times throughout the month.

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Sustainable Development/ Multi-Sector

(*closing soon!*) Outcomes Finance Alliance, Third Cohort of the Outcomes Accelerator invites applications from innovative projects that align with one or more SDGs. The Accelerator offers flexible funding, targeted expertise, and networking to support outcomes-based financing initiatives with testing, launching, and scaling. Applicants should specify their project’s primary SDG(s) of focus in selecting one of five specialized tracks: 1) Sustainability, Biodiversity, and Climate, 2) Education, Skills, and Human Capital, 3) Inclusive and Sustainable Private Sector Growth, 4) Health and Well-being, and 5) Livelihoods, Gender, and Inequality. The accelerator is funded and supported by the UBS Optimus Foundation, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office,and the SECO Economic Cooperation and Development . The funding can be used to support various activities such as scoping studies, early/late-stage design, and scaling support. Grants range USD $60,000 - $200,000. DEADLINE for expressions of interest: August 26, 2024 (selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposal). Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) , develoPPP Classic and Venture Funding, invites companies aiming to contribute to sustainable development in emerging markets to apply. Projects should align with one or more SDGs, in sectors such as agriculture, health, and energy, with a strong emphasis on impact, innovation, sustainable economic development, job creation, technology transfer, and capacity building. The program offers two tracks: develoPPP Classic for established companies with up to €2 million in funding, and develoPPP Ventures for startups with up to €100,000. DEADLINE: develoPPP Classic open call launches on August 15 2024, closing September 19 2024. develoPPP Ventures open call launches November 15, 2024. Learn more and apply here: develoPPP Classic and develoPPP Ventures.

Common Fund for Commodities, Call for Proposals: Impact and Innovation in Commodity Value Chains, invites proposals investing in poorest and most vulnerable people in the global value chains, which may concern production, processing, financing, marketing, research, and development (R&D), etc. The CFC encourages applications proposing innovative solutions for the commodity sector. These may include new agritech applications, agroforestry, agro-ecology themed innovative productivity practices, regenerative technologies, increased availability of renewable and affordable energy, expanding environmental services, expediting digital and green recovery, adding to the nutrition security, climate friendly practices contributing to biodiversity, preventing deforestation, digitalization, financial inclusion, blockchain and other traceability solutions. Project must take place in one of the 101 CFC member countries. The CFC funds agribusinesses with loans and other debt instruments. The maximum amount is USD $2 million for regular projects, and up to USD $300,000 under the Fast-Track procedure. DEADLINE: October 1, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Creating Hope in Conflict: a Humanitarian Grand Challenge aims to identify, fund and accelerate ground-breaking solutions that are local or engage the local communities and draw from the experiences of affected communities. In this round CHIC is looking for innovation ideas for its Transition to Scale (TTS) program in 4 priority themes: 1) Access to energy, 2) Health Supplies and Services, 3) Life-saving information, and 4) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). Proposed innovations should focus on supporting people who have been affected by conflict with particular focus on the hardest to reach. Preference would be given to innovations that are locally owned or locally led with majority of the management and governance comprising of people from the affected communities. Relevant populations are: 1) Non-displaced people (i.e. people in conflict zones) 2) Internally displaced persons 3) Refugees. Grants ranging from CAD $300,000 - $1.5 million. Funding and support provided by USAID, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada, and Grand Challenges Canada. Submit your idea to be invited to submit a proposal. DEADLINE: Ideas accepting on a rolling basis. Learn more and submit ideas here.

Kili Ventures, Pre-Seed/ Seed Investments for Impact-Tech Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets, Kili Venture is a new investment syndicate focused on investing in tech startups in emerging markets, with an initial emphasis on Africa. Kili Ventures constantly seeks "hidden gems" - startups with talented teams developing technologies that have a significant impact on local communities and strong scalability potential. Target to support 5-10 startups annually in pre-seed and seed rounds, investing between EUR €50,000 - €250,000. DEADLINE: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

Effective Ventures, EA Funds, Effective Altruism Funds (EA Funds) is a platform for moving money to particularly cost-effective and altruistically impactful projects. The current funds focus on: 1) Improving the lives of people living in extreme poverty, 2) Improving the lives of non-human animals, 3) Making the long-term future go well, and 3) Supporting the work of the Effective Altruism community. Grant sizes are typically between $5,000 and $200,000, but can be as low as $1,000 and higher than $500,000. DEADLINE: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

GiveWell, Apply for Funding Consideration, aims to fund the most cost-effective opportunities that have the potential to make a big impact for many people. Provide a wide range of grants through different financing mechanisms: 1) All grants fund, 2) Top charity fund, 3) Unrestricted fund. Grants range USD $50,000- USD $70M. DEADLINE: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

Agriculture

(*closed!*) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) , Call for proposals: IFAD grant Agri Connect, is accepting proposals from interested parties to implement the Agri Connect project: Enabling Private Sector Investment and Access to Services for Smallholder Farmers through Digital Farmer Registry in Nigeria and Rwanda. The grant will support the design and implementation of a digital farmer registry including 1. Design and Pilot implementation of Digital Farmer Registry, and 2. Building capacity and strengthening data governance and knowledge. Grant of USD $1.5 million will be awarded for 2 years. DEADLINE: August 10, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Chemonics International, Nature-Based Solutions for Agricultural Resilience (Notice of Future Funding), under the USAID Climate Finance for Development Accelerator (USAID CFDA), released a NOFFO ahead of the anticipated call for grant applications under the soon to be launched Nature-Based Solutions for Agricultural Resilience Window (expected to launch September 20, 2024 with a deadline of October 20,2024). The Window envisions sourcing high quality, private-sector led finance models for climate- and nature-positive agriculture and agricultural landscapes – supporting sustainable production while addressing climate change and improving biodiversity and ecosystem services. These partnerships are expected to focus on whole-of-farm approaches to mixed-use farming and regenerative agriculture; zero deforestation production and reduced degradation of lands, soil, and native vegetation; reduced use of chemical pesticides, fertilizer, and practices harmful to biodiversity, water quality, and soil quality; and other nature-based, climate smart solutions and/or landscape-level approaches that protect and promote biodiversity as well as food security. Interested applicants are encouraged to share feedback on the proposed concept, indicate interest in this opportunity, or ask questions ahead of the solicitation release. Learn more here.

(*next application window closes this month!*) Mastercard Foundation, Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity, Agribusiness Challenge Fund. This is the first call for proposals under the Challenge Fund intervention, focusing on supporting SMEs in the Agribusiness sector to create work opportunities at scale for young women and men, young people with disabilities and refugee youth. Open to SMEs from 20 African countries. Grants ranging from USD $500,000-$2.5 million disbursed over a 3-year period. DEADLINE: rolling call for proposals closes on November 22, 2024, with two application harvest periods- August 30, and November 22. Learn more and apply here.

Climate & Environment

(*closing soon!*) Blue Action Fund, Call for Proposals: Eastern Tropical Pacific Region accepting proposals from organizations active in one or more of the focus countries (Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru) working to reduce the dramatic loss of marine biodiversity and improve incomes of coastal fishing communities. Programs should 1. support ecologically representative and well-connected systems of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by enhancing management effectiveness of or enlarging existing MPAs, or by establishing new MPAs; and 2. support sustainable livelihoods in coastal communities dependent on MPAs and their buffer zones. Grants range EUR €2M-€5M DEADLINE: August 15, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(new!) IDB Lab , Sargassum Innovation Quest, aims to find solutions that allow the potential of sargassum biomass to be harnessed and improve the resilience of coastal communities in Latin America and the Caribbean, through the use of advanced technologies and innovative practices. Submitted proposals for managing sargassum can cover a wide range of areas, from efficient collection to its transformation into valuable products. Key themes include: 1) Sargassum Collection Systems, 2) Pre-Treatment, Treatment, and Drying Technologies, 3) Transformation and Valorization, 4) Monitoring and Analysis, 5) Others: Other technologies aligned with the purpose and guidelines of the call, or a combination of the aforementioned technologies and approaches. Startups with proven solutions seeking scaling, SMEs, corporations, academia and NGOs from any of the 48 member countries of the IDB/ beneficiary countries of the Compete Caribbean program are invited to apply. Awards may range between USD $300,000 – $600,000 for projects with a duration between 12-36 months. Proposals of smaller amounts could be considered for any of the Compete Caribbean countries. DEADLINE: August 31, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Biodiversity Challenge Funds, Darwin Initiative Grants is a a UK government grant program that helps conserve biodiversity, the natural environment and support the communities that live alongside it through locally led projects worldwide. All projects should: 1. Address both both?biodiversity conservation?and?multidimensional poverty reduction, 2. Enhance the capability and capacity?of national and local partners and stakeholders, 3. Use of?evidence?to inform and scale an?innovative approach. Four types of grants available:

• Capability & Capacity Grants for projects developing the capability and capacity of national and local organizations to efficiently deliver effective and successful biodiversity conservation - multidimensional poverty reduction projects. Grants range GBP ￡50,000 and ￡200,000, and should last between 1 to 2 years maximum. DEADLINE: October 21, 2024. Learn more and apply here.
• Innovation Grants for projects intending to, pilot, test and evaluate novel approaches that if proven could scale to deliver results for biodiversity conservation and multidimensional poverty reduction. Grants range GBP ￡10,000 to ￡200,000, and should last between 1 to 2 years maximum. DEADLINE: October 21, 2024. Learn more and apply here.
• Extra Grants for projects that are on a clear scaling pathway: building on good evidence from smaller projects and demonstrating the potential to scale further by completion and delivering strong results. for biodiversity conservation and multidimensional poverty reduction. Grants range GBP ￡800,000 - ￡5 million, and should last between 2 to 5 years maximum. DEADLINE: September 16, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

European Commission, CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) Call for Proposals is seeking to fund projects in the fields of Nature and Biodiversity and Circular Economy and Quality of Life aiming to develop, demonstrate, and scale up innovative techniques to achieve EU environmental objectives, improve governance, and involve civil society. This call include many opportunities within the fields. Grants range EUR €1M-€1.8M. DEADLINE: September 19, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program have announced 2 billion USD in funding to community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation.? Track I will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of USD $10 million - $20 million.?Track II will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of USD $1 million - $3 million. DEADLINE: November 21, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) Kiwa Initiative , Call for Proposals, Regional Projects: Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Climate Change Resilience in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories. The Kiwa Initiative is a multi-donor program (led by AFD - Agence Fran?aise de Développement and supported by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade , Australian Aid , IUCN , European Union and others). Kiwa is currently accepting applications from regional projects implementing activities that clearly contribute to climate change adaptation through right-based gender-responsive and socially-inclusive NbS. Each project must address key criteria: 1. Climate change adaptation, 2. Biodiversity, and 2. Gender Equity Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). 18 Pacific Island Countries and Territories are eligible, regional projects should involve at least 2 of the eligible countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna. Grants range EUR €1.5 million - €5 million (projects can be implemented for up to 3.5 years). DEADLINE: December 15, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Subnational Climate Fund (SCF) , Call for Sustainable Infrastructure Projects is seeking projects in scalable infrastructure in high growth developing regions with identified local need, in one or more of the targeted sectors: 1. Sustainable Energy Solutions, 2. Waste and Water Management, and 3. Nature-based Solutions. All projects should contribute positively to climate action (SDG 13) and positively contribute to at least two other SDGs. Provided capital should support new activities, improvements, and constructions, and must be in one of the 42 target countries in LATAM, Asia and Pacific, Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Africa. Total funding per project USD $5 million - $75 million. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

Decent Work and Economic Inclusion

(*closing soon!*) Fundación ”la Caixa” , Work4Progress Program, aims to create high-quality employment for women and young adults in vulnerable situations through social innovation platforms and collaborative learning. Applicants must address: 1. Employment creation for vulnerable populations, 2. Development of inclusive businesses, 3. Strengthening W4P ecosystems, 4. Promoting multi-agent and multi-variable solutions for systematic changes. This call is for non-profits, NGOs, Social enterprises, Local authorities, Incubators and accelerators, and Social economy companies in India, Mozambique, and Peru. Grants range EUR €250,000 - €800,000 for the donation model and up to EUR €500,000 for the refundable financing model. Deadline: August 30,2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) Livelihood Impact Fund , focuses on improving the lives of the global poor by providing skills, capital, and opportunities to support self-sufficiency and increased earnings. They support organizations working on 1.Agriculture: Smallholder farmers productivity and regenerative agriculture. 2. Entrepreneurship: Micro, small & medium enterprise development, and 3. Workforce Development: Employability training programs across various industries. The fund works primarily in Africa but will consider projects in additional LMIC's. Through the 'Lab portfolio,' they invest in African-led organizations with budgets between $150,000 and $1M. Grants of unrestricted funding range USD $100,000- $150,000 per year for us to three years. Grantees also receive additional capacity-building support. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

Digital Inclusion

(*closed!*) Internet Society Foundation, BOLT Grant Program, aims to support teams of creatives, technologists, researchers, and social/cultural workers to design and build prototypes and pilots that will bring into reality innovative solutions to Internet connectivity particularly among communities where current technologies are unavailable or not readily accessible. By focusing funding in this way, the Foundation will create opportunities to expand the vision of the Internet Society, that The Internet is for everyone. Program Objectives: 1) Advance Internet development, 2) Improve Internet access and connectivity around the world, and 3) Promote responsible innovation. Applicants must be non-profits. Grants of up to USD $300,000. Deadline: August 6, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Education

(*new!*) Spencer Foundation , Research-Practice Partnerships Grants, support research that brings together researchers and practitioners to improve education and foster long-term collaboration. Projects should 1. Address critical issues in education, 2. Build sustainable partnerships, and 3. Improve educational outcomes through evidence-based practices. The grant is open to existing partnerships between researchers and a broad array of practitioners (practitioners is defined broadly; such as policy-makers, out-of-school-time providers and other informal educators, K-12 teachers and leaders, or families and other community members, design-based research teams, networked improvement communities, place-based research alliances, and a wealth of other partnership arrangements). Grants of up to USD $400,000 for three years. Deadline: September 13 ,2024 (Intent to apply) and October 31, 2024 (Full proposal). Learn more and apply here.

Energy

E.ON, European Investment Fund (EIF) and Future Energy Ventures, Fund for the Digitalisation of the Energy Transition. The newly established fund will be allocated entirely towards sustainable investments across three core investment themes with clear decarbonization potential: future energy, future cities, and future technologies. With an average initial ticket size of between EUR €1M-10M for early-stage investments, it aims to target thirty new investments located in the innovation hubs of Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Learn more here.

Food and Agriculture

(*closed!*) WFP Innovation Accelerator, Climate Adaptation Innovation Accelerator Programme | Adaptation Fund. For this Innovation Challenge, the WFP Innovation Accelerator, together with the Adaptation Fund, are looking for both low- and hightech solutions specifically tailored to meet distinct climate adaptation challenges in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon along the food system value chain. They aim to identify and support exceptional innovations from around the world that hold the potential to address these challenges on a significant scale. Applicants are requested to showcase a high-impact, scalable solutions. Grants of up to USD $120,000 per venture for seed stage solutions, and up to USD $200,000 per venture for growth stage and expansion stage solutions. DEADLINE: August 4, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) European Commission , Food Waste - Support to Stakeholders, invite proposals from EU stakeholders (single or multi-stakeholders) in taking actions to address consumer food waste, covering types of actions such as behavioral change interventions, education and training, the elaboration and implementation of food waste prevention guidelines, food waste monitoring programs, awareness raising campaigns and communication materials, and development of new business models. Projects should apply a Target-Measure-Act approach applied in the 4 steps: 1. Carrying out an initial food waste diagnosis, 2. Setting food waste reduction targets, 3. Developing and implementing actions, and 4. Final evaluation at the end of the project. Grants range from EUR €100,000-€300,000 for projects lasting 18 to 24 months (total envelop of EUR €4 million). DEADLINE: September 25, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Water and Energy for Food Grand Challenge (WE4F), Middle East and North Africa Call for Innovations, is an open call for innovations designed to address barriers to enable the production of more food with efficient and sustainable usage of water and energy along the value chain from farming to end-users, and to impact food security, gender, and poverty reduction in an environmentally sustainable way. Applicants can be mid-?to late-stage enterprises, nonprofits with a for-profit program, and other organizations?based in the Middle East and North Africa, who have?innovative water-food, energy-food, and water-energy-food solutions. WE4F is a joint $88 million international initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), European Union, the Dutch Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, Sida and USAID. Grants ranging from EUR €25,000-€250,000. DEADLINE: grants are accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

WFP Innovation Accelerator, WFP Innovation Challenge, accepts submissions year-round in search of game-changing innovations that deliver relief, foster, resilience and end hunger.?Current priorities are 1) Emergency Preparedness and Response, 2) Supply Chain and Delivery, 3) Nutrition and School Meals, 4) Food Systems and Smallholder Farmers, 5) Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods, 6) Social Protection. Selected organizations will receive a wide range of support including: access to WFP, innovation consultants, mentors, up to US$100,000 equity-free funding to test the venture’s scalability potential, and more. DEADLINE: grants are accepted on a rolling basis for cohort II. Learn more and apply here.

Gender

(*closing soon*!) Convergence Blended Finance, through the Gender-Responsive Climate Finance Window, will award early-stage grant funding for the design and launch of innovative blended finance vehicles focused on the intersection of climate change and gender equality in emerging markets globally. Funding available for feasibility studies and proof-of-concept. Grants ranging from USD $40,000-$500,000. DEADLINE: August 30, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Health

(*closing this month!*) Being Initiative, Request for Proposals: Funding Bold Ideas for Youth Mental Health in 12 countries, is seeking applications for bold prevention and promotion ideas that address the early drivers of mental health and wellbeing for the most underserved young people aged 10- to 24 in: Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Vietnam. Three types of grants are available: 1) Proof-of-Concept (POC) funding up to CAD $250,000, 2) Transition-to-Scale (TTS) funding CAD $300,000 - $1,500,000, and 3) Ecosystem Catalyst (EC) funding CAD $200,000 - $300,000. DEADLINE: Applications for POC and TTS accepted on a rolling basis, current intake period is active until September 25, 2024, deadline for all EC proposals: August 28, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) Singularity University , Global Impact Challenge: Digital Well-Being, is looking for groundbreaking ideas that address the global challenge of misinformation, cyberbullying and social disconnection. One winner will receive a cash prize of USD $250,000 as well as additional benefits including attending the Singularity Executive Program. Open to projects anywhere in the world. DEADLINE: September 1, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Multitudes Foundation, Incubation and Scaling Grants for political change-makers from Europe. Incubation grants provide funding and expert support to those ready to build their vision into sustainable and efficient organisations. Scaling grants provide funding for registered organisations ready to scale their efforts and build more power. Grants range EUR €50,000-€100,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

Innovation

(*new!*) Enabel , Call for Proposals on Digital and Green innovations in Africa, this call seeks to identify and support digital and green innovations (DGIs) that are ready to or transitioning to scale. DGIs are defined as solutions that leverage digital tools and/or technologies to contribute positively to environmental objectives, and the thematic priorities include 1. Climate-Smart agriculture and sustainable food systems, 2. Resilient cities and sustainable urban planning, 3. Water management/ flood prevention, 4. Circular economy and e-waste management, and 5. Sustainable, affordable and clean energy. Public institutions and non-profit actors including academia, CSOs, NGOs), and Social Enterprises are eligible to apply. Grants range €100,000-€150,000 grantees will also receive specific technical support and capacity-building activities. DEADLINE: September 4, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) Climate Change AI , Call for Proposals: Climate Change AI Innovation Grants 2024, The Climate Change AI Innovation Grants aim to support innovative projects that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to address climate change. The grants are intended for research and implementation projects that have the potential to make a significant impact on climate change mitigation and adaptation. As part of the project, the grantees must publish a documented dataset (or simulator). Projects can be submitted into one of three tacks: 1. Main track- projects should leverage AI or machine learning to address problems in climate change mitigation, adaptation, or climate science, or consider problems related to impact assessment and governance at the intersection of climate change and machine learning. 2. Special Track on Methane- projects should leverage AI or machine learning to address problems in methane-related climate change mitigation in the short/medium term period. 3. Special Track on Dataset Gaps- submissions should have, as their primary focus, the creation of a documented dataset (or simulator) by collating, labeling, and/or annotating existing data, and/or by collecting, simulating, or otherwise making available new data that can enable further research. Grant up to USD $150,000 per winning project for 12 months (a total of USD 1.4 million is available) Funding provided by Quadrature Climate Foundation, Google DeepMind, and Global Methane Hub. DEADLINE: September 15, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), EIC Accelerator. The EIC is Europe’s flagship innovation program to identify, develop and scale up breakthrough technologies and game-changing innovations. The accelerator supports start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises to develop and scale up to new markets or disrupt existing ones and provides a unique combination of funding from EUR €500,000-17.5M as well as business acceleration services. DEADLINE: full proposal cut-off dates: October 3, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

USAID, Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) 2024 accepting proposals for innovations that address international development challenges and improve the lives of people living in poverty in developing countries around the world. DIV provides tiered funding to pilot, test, and transition to scale (i.e., grow to reach the highest number of beneficiaries possible) those innovations that demonstrate evidence of impact, cost-effectiveness, and the potential to scale. Grants ranging from USD $25,000-$15M. DEADLINE: November 1, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Global Innovation Fund. The fund seeks out innovations with the greatest potential to improve the lives of millions of people living in poverty, and accepts applications from any type of organization, working in any sector in any developing country. The fund innovations that are scalable, widely applied, and evidence-based. Three types of funding available: pilot (up to USD $230,000), test & transition (up to USD $2.3M) and scale (up to USD $15M). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.

Smart Cities

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) , Lisboa Innovation for All is a social impact challenge for innovative and impactful solutions to address the main social challenges faced by cities and which can have practical application in Lisbon. The award will focus on the following challenge areas: 1) Quality of Education 2) Access to Healthcare 3) Integration of Migrants. A jury will select three finalists from each of the three categories, and ultimately three awards will be made, one from each category. Applicants should select at least one category to apply to. The challenge will take place in 2 phases: Phase 1: Applications- Selection of 3 finalists per category (total of 9 finalists) for a proof-of-concept phase. Proof of concept within 6 months. No direct financial support is provided in this phase but in-kind support and resources will be given. Phase 2: Proof of Concept- After the proof-of-concept, one winner per category (total of 3 winners) is selected for implementation. Award: €120,000 per category. Implementation within 6 months. Open to proposed solution that currently is in operation or in MVP form globally, however all solutions must be refined and adapted to the context in Lisbon. DEADLINE: September 8, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) European Data Space for Smart Communities, Open Call for Pilots, aims to advance the development and implementation of data spaces. This effort is aligned with the policy priorities of EU cities and communities, focusing on the green-digital transformation supported by secure and sovereign data infrastructure.?Submitted proposals must also demonstrate actual services created based on data sharing among data space participants. The pilot consortia must create new data services from the data sharing across at least two target focus areas: 1) Predictive traffic management/sustainable mobility planning, 2) Data-services related to weather, climate and extreme weather events to facilitate risk prevention, disaster resilience as well as climate change adaptation, 3)Management of energy flows in a city/community specific context and in conjunction with other sectors, 4) Zero pollution actions (e.g., air, water, soil pollution or waste), and 5) Any other domain falling under the New European Bauhaus initiative (urban design, building management, public services, nature-based solutions, amongst others). Eligible pilot consortia must consist of (and be led by) at least two local or regional public administrations from different EU member states (MS) and/or Digital Europe Programme (DEP) Associated countries, and can include a wide range of actors including private sector and non profits. Grants range EUR €1 million - €1.5 million (total of €15.3 million available). DEADLINE: 3 rounds of calls will take place in 2024: Round 1 closes August 31 (1-2 pilots to be selected), Round 2 closes November 31 (4-6 pilots to be selected), and Round 3 closes February 2025 (4+ pilots to be selected). Learn more and apply here.

Small Grants, Awards, Accelerators, Fellowships and Learning Opportunities

(*closed!*) Twilio , Twilio.org Climate Tech Prize, aims to recognize and support innovative solutions using technology, especially communications technology, to address global challenges and improve lives. Eligible organizations include non-profits, social enterprises, and all organizations globally leveraging technology for social impact. Five winners will each receive USD $200,000. Deadline: August 14, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*closing soon!*) Factor[e] Ventures, Post-Harvest Loss Innovation Prize, is dedicated to uncovering the next big breakthrough in technology to reduce post-harvest losses for smallholder farmers in emerging markets. Proposed innovations should designed for use by the farmers, be scaleable and globally applicable, and have already been tried and tested. The prize is led by Factor E Ventures, together with UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Shell Foundation, ISF Advisors , MicroSave Consulting (MSC) , and AndMore Associates, LLC. Prize of USD $50,000, and additional post-investment support. Deadline: August 21, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*closing soon!*) UpLink - World Economic Forum Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative, Tackling Water Pollution Challenge, the five-year initiative aims to find innovative solutions to conserve and restore freshwater ecosystems. This is the third of five innovation challenges, focusing on tackling water pollution and ensuring water quality. The focus areas of this challenge include: 1) Prevent contamination at source, 2) Drive new approaches to water management, 3) Optimize public water and wastewater treatment, and 4) Offer water quality solutions for households. Up to 10 submissions will be selected as winners, recognized as Top Innovators, and become part of the UpLink Innovation Ecoystem, a curated programme designed for Founders, CEOs, Executive Directors, etc., which provides access, visibility, connections, targeted support, and financial award of up to CHF 175,000, from a total fund of CHF 1.75 million, in co-financing by HCL Enterprise. Deadline: August 31, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

UpLink - World Economic Forum Carbon Capture and Utilization Challenge, is sourcing innovative solutions for carbon capture and utilization. Innovative start-ups working towards carbon utilization through industrial carbon capture and utilization technologies are invited to apply. The focus areas of this challenge include: 1) Carbon capture technologies, 2) Reuse and recycling of carbon, 3) Industrial integration. 10 - 20 submissions will be selected as winners, recognized as Top Innovators, and become part of the UpLink Innovation Ecoystem, a curated programme designed for Founders, CEOs, Executive Directors, etc., which provides access, visibility, connections, targeted support, and financial award of CHF 300,000 (split among the winners), co-financing provided by Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Deadline: September 12, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

(*new!*) iF Design , iF Social Impact Prize, supports established projects that contribute to improving human society globally. Running since 2017 they have supported over 136 projects worldwide. Any project working towards achieving one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals is eligible. Companies, design studios, NGOs, foundations, public and other organizations, social enterprises, and entrepreneurs are welcome to submit, student concepts are not eligible. Projects from the global South, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America are encouraged to apply. ~10-12 winners will share a prize of EUR €100,000. Deadline: September 13, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Future of Capitalism Competition, invites all tech start-ups that aim to transform how businesses operate, and founders who want to improve the world we live in. Applications should want to make both a commercial and a social impact, either by using business profits to support social causes or through providing a technology that could positively impact the people's lives. Finalists will be invited to pitch for an investment of up to USD $1M. Deadline September 30, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

SIWI - Stockholm International Water Institute, Stockholm Water Prize 2025, is accepting nominations to recognizes people and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the sustainable use and protection of the world’s water resources. Candidates should be within one or both of the following categories: 1. Policy and Practices- achievements in the continuum from political initiatives to practical implementation that has improved the governance and management of water, as a natural and economic resource and/or as a human right and basic service. 2. Research- including both basic and applied research to develop new knowledge of and scientific leadership. SIWI welcomes nominations from all parts of the world and strongly encourage the nomination of women candidates. Deadline September 30, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Boustany Foundation, Sport 4 Children Award. Developed specifically for associations, NGOs, institutions, foundations, local authorities and those specializing in social impact, open to organizations who are currently running or planning projects that use sport as the basis to improve the wellbeing and life opportunities of children. Prize of EUR €50,000. Deadline: October 1, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

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