Funding Opportunities For African Businesses

1. PTES Conservation Insight Grants (£3,000 and £10,000 per annum)

 PTES is now accepting new grant applications for Conservation Insight Grants are for projects focusing on endangered species. They have awarded grants to scientific researchers and conservations for many years for work that is aimed at the preservation of endangered species around the world. Funds will be awarded for work that seeks to either:

• Find the critical scientific evidence that will facilitate the conservation of a species.
• Provide the answer to a key conservation question, which will enable conservationists to undertake critical conservation action.
• Undertake the implementation of a key action which will result in a significantly, positive impact for an endangered species.

Funding Information

Applicants may apply for grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 per annum, up to a maximum total of £20,000

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants are welcomed from scientific researchers and those working in the field of practical conservation. The project leader should be based either within an NGO or a university research department.
• These grants are suitable for research or conservation projects that focus on one or more endangered species, or their habitat.
• Priority will be given to projects working on those species classified by the IUCN redlist as endangered, critically endangered and extinct in the wild. However, applications for work on species listed as vulnerable and near-threatened will also be considered.
• Applications will only be considered from those working in countries classified by the World Bank as low and middle-income.
• Preference is given to applicants working in their own country rather than UK or other western nationals working abroad.
• Preference will be given to applicants who have a proven, successful history working on the species and/or in that region.
• The project should be up to two years in duration.
• The project should have a clear end point. If aspects of a project are likely to continue over the long-term, the applicant should make clear how they will be funded.
• The Trust will consider funding a project in its entirety or jointly with other bodies or organizations.

For more information, visit

https://ptes.org/grants/apply-grant/worldwide-grant-criteria/

2. Loyola Foundation’s Grants Program

Applications are now open for the Loyola Foundation’s Grant Program, a family-based charitable organization primarily dedicated to supporting overseas catholic mission activities in less developed countries.

Funding Information

Generally, the Loyola Foundation accepts requests up to $20,000.

Eligible Projects

The Loyola Foundation approved 100 grants to benefit Catholic activities worldwide. Projects included:

• Installation of solar power plants and water wells.
• Construction of churches, seminars, convents, meeting halls, schools, and health clinics.
• Purchase of books, computers, medical equipment and vehicles.

Determine Your Eligibility

• Is your project part of an overseas Catholic mission activity?
• Is it a capital project (construction, equipment or a vehicle)?
• Can your project be finished for $20,000 (or less)?
• Can you obtain written approval for your project from the local Diocesan ordinary?

If you answered yes to the above questions, you are eligible to submit an online grant inquiry form during open application season.

For more information, visit

https://www.loyolafoundation.org/grants/grant-application-process

3. Strengthening Young Women Peacebuilders’ Capacity in Complex Crises

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), in collaboration with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), are launching the pilot initiative “Strengthening Young Women Peacebuilders’ Capacity in Complex Crises”, a programme that seeks to support young women leading civil society organizations in fragile and/or conflict – affected countries. The objective of this initiative is to provide capacity-building for young women-led organizations to strengthen their fundraising skills, and to create a space for peer exchange, networking, sharing of best practices, and lessons learned among young women peacebuilders.

Details

• A 4-day, in-person workshop will be held in November 2022 in Tbilisi, Georgia. You will learn about:
• Key policy areas such as peacebuilding and sustaining peace, the women, peace, and security (WPS) and the youth, peace, and security (YPS) agendas;
• Key project management skills: designing and drafting project proposals (including conflict analysis, theory of change, logical frameworks), fundraising, donor outreach, and reporting.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a young woman between 18 and 30 years old.
• Have not yet received funding from the United Nations.
• Be a founding or key member of a legally registered civil society organization working on peacebuilding, human rights, women’s rights, youth rights, or related.
• Have a working knowledge of either English, French, or Spanish.

Selection Criteria

A total of 25 young women will be selected by a review committee at global and sub-regional levels, using common criteria for review, to assess the applicant’s motivation and potential for successful project implementation. Successful candidates will be notified and invited to participate in the workshop.

For more information, visit

https://www.unaoc.org/what-we-do/projects-and-initiatives/call-for-applications-strengthening-young-women-peacebuilders-capacity-in-complex-crises/

4. UNDP WACA Youth Innovation Challenge for Young Entrepreneurs

The United Nations Development Programme Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa (UNDP WACA) has launched the 2022 UNDP WACA Youth Innovation Challenge calling for young entrepreneurs and innovators with impactful solutions in West and Central Africa. The UNDP WACA Youth Innovation Challenge is an initiative designed to identify and support the transformative innovations and resilience of young people from West and Central Africa. It follows the 2021 inaugural edition – Sahel Innovate Challenge – which provided 10 youth from across the Sahel Region with funding ranging from $1,000 – $20,000 to bolster their innovations.

Benefits

• 5 finalists will be fully funded to participate and pitch their solutions at the 2022 YouthConnekt Sahel Forum in N’Djamena, Chad and win funding of up to $50,000 (total award envelope to be awarded to the top 5 innovators).
• Opportunities for young innovators to access funding and partnership opportunities.
• Evaluation committees will identify 30 pre-selected youth to join the WACA innovator network and access peer-to-peer learning, coaching, and training opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

• You must be between 18 and 35 years old.
• A citizen (can be in diaspora) of a West & Central African country.
• The best existing solutions (with tangible impact) in the following thematic areas: Digital Transformative, COVID-19 Recovery, Health, Education, Peace and Security, Cultural and Creative Arts, Agroforestry and Climate Change.

Selection Process

Applications are accessed according to a standard set of criteria (thematic area, innovation, impact and reach, sustainability, and opportunity for scale-up) and reviewed by UNDP and external experts.

Video Submission Guidelines

• Recording should be done in a quiet place with no music or background noise (Listen to your audio before uploading the video and ensure you are audible).
• The video should answer the question: What is the impact of your solution in your community, and what is its value and potential?
• Keep the camera in a still position to avoid a shaky recording.
• Ensure the picture quality of your video is clear.
• Videos should be shot in landscape/widescreen mode.
• Recording should not exceed 2 minutes and can be recorded in English, French or Portuguese.

For more information, visit

https://www.undp.org/africa/news/2022-undp-waca-youth-innovation-challenge

5. Scaling Up Nutrition Movement Pooled Fund 2.0

 UNOPS invites interested and eligible applicants to join an exceptional 2022 application exercise related to the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Pooled Fund 2.0 extension period covering the period of July – December 2022. The SUN Movement has successfully brought together governments, United Nations agencies, businesses, donors, civil society organizations and individuals in a collective mission in 65 countries and 4 Indian States to uphold the right to good food and nutrition. It has also helped to illuminate the importance of nutrition in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SUN Movement continues to work with countries with the belief that Nutrition is both a maker and a marker of development. Improved nutrition is the platform for progress in health, education, employment, empowerment of women and the reduction of poverty and inequality, and can lay the foundation for peaceful, secure and stable societies.

Funding Information

• Grant support will be allocated according to the following parameters:
• Budget: The budget should not exceed USD 100,000
• Number of grants to be awarded under this Call for Proposal: 1

Eligibility Criteria

The application is open to Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and Civil Society Alliances (CSA) members or hosting organizations of the SUN Civil Society Network (CSN).

For more information, visit

https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/179009

6. USAID Funding Opportunity: Minority Serving Institutions Humanitarian Fellowship Program

 The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Humanitarian Fellowship Program.

Funding Information

• Through this NOFO, USAID/BHA intends to award one cooperative agreement, but reserves the right to award any other form of assistance agreement. For this NOFO, USAID/BHA intends to award up to $15 million in total USAID funding.
• The anticipated start date of the new award is to be determined (TBD) based on the final award date. The awards will be issued for a period of performance of up to thirty-six (36) months from the date of award.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligibility is restricted to qualified U.S. and non-U.S. non-profit organizations which may apply for funding for an assistance award under this NOFO. Foreign government -owned parastatals organizations from countries that have certain legal restrictions for receiving assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act or related appropriations acts are ineligible.
• This restriction of eligibility is necessary for programmatic purposes as the MSI Humanitarian Fellowship program is intended to stimulate a public purpose, and the direct linkage to non-profit organizations with a humanitarian mandate is critical for the goal and objectives of this program, including the development of a diverse pipeline of talent for the humanitarian sector.
• Non-U.S. non-profit organizations that apply must have a physical office in the U.S. with sufficient internal capacity and financial ability to host one (1) to two (2) humanitarian fellows. Interested non-profit organizations must apply as a consortium, comprised of at least five (5) NGOs, and nor more than ten (10) NGOS.
• For purposes of this NOFO, the consortium must have one lead organization that will serve as the applicant organization. The application must identify any other members of the consortium tied to the implementation of the activity as described in the application.
• USAID/BHA welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID.
• Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for federal financial assistance on the same basis as any other organization and are subject to the protections and requirements of Federal Law.

For more information, visit

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppld=342533

7. The International Centre for Local Democracy (ICLD) Women’s Political Leadership Programme 2023 (Fully Funded to Sweden)

The International Centre for Local Democracy, ICLD invites you to apply to the International Training Programme Women’s Political Leadership 2023. Women as political leaders at local/regional level can apply to this Women’s Political Leadership programme. The ICLD has broadened the scope of the programme for this ninth round of the programme, and it is now opening up to women who hold an elected seat in a local or regional government in ANY of the OECD – DAC listed ODA-countries. The training is implemented in cooperation with the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR).

Programme Period: January – December 2023

Application Period: 15 July to 9 September, 2022

Programme Objectives

 The programme aims to provide the following changes in the participant:

• Empower the participant with improved leadership skills.
• Help the participant to fully utilize the power and influence of her position.
• Strengthen her as a role model to encourage political participation among marginalized groups.
• Give her access to a network of women in similar positions.

Benefits

• Valuable exchange of knowledge and experiences.
• Extended regional and international networks.
• Improved skills as a “change agent” in initiating and implementing institutional change.
• Skills and abilities to communicate and advocate on issues of inclusive governance.
• Two-day study-visit in a Swedish municipality or region.
• Support to improve participation, equality, transparency and accountability in the local governance.
• Advanced training in communication, strategic planning and leadership.
• Swedish mentorship including an individual two-day study visit in a Swedish municipality or region.
• International exposure to different political experiences.
• An opportunity for your municipality to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Cost

All training costs pertaining to lectures, literature, documentation, study tours and certain social activities as well as accommodation and food will also be covered by the organizer. All international travel costs related to the programme will be covered by the programme organizer. Costs for personal expenses are not included and are the responsibility of the participant or her organization.

For more information,

Visit the Official Webpage of the ICLD Women’s Political Leadership Programme 2023

8. Call for Proposals to support Africa’s SGC in Strategic Communications and Knowledge Translation

The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) invites project proposals from organizations with experience in strategic communications and knowledge translation to support Africa’s science granting councils.

Scope

• The aim of this project is to support science granting councils in their use of strategic communications, in strengthening the uptake of knowledge outputs, and in their networking. It will commission state-of-the-art papers to be presented at masterclass sessions of the SGCI Annual Forum. It will also support the implementation of SGCI’s own strategy for communications and outreach.
• A suitable organization (or a consortium of organizations) will be selected to implement this project following a competitive process. Technical support to the councils could be achieved through approaches such as customized in-country coaching and group training courses or workshops offered by project staff or using communication specialists.

Funding Information

Through new SGCI partnerships with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation and IRC, funding of up to CAD$880,000 is available for this work over a period of approximately 34 months. IDRC will enter into an agreement with the successful organization.

Eligibility Criteria

The Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI) invites project proposals from organizations (including think tanks, institutes, universities and agencies) with proven experience and track records in strategic communications and knowledge translation.

For more information, visit

https://www.idrc.ca/en/funding/call-proposals-support-africas-science-granting-councils-strategic-communications-and

9. Consumer Protection Research Initiative: Call for Proposals

The Consumer Protection Research Fund is open to all academic researchers and accepts proposals for randomized evaluations of consumer protection in digital financial services in lower and lower-middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. IPA’s Consumer Protection Research Initiative is a four-year research initiative which partners with policymakers, financial institutions, and civil society to develop new consumer protection solutions in digital financial services.

Funding Information

• Maximum award amount per project: $300,000
• Anticipated number of awards made: 2-3 pending funding levels requested

Criteria

• Proposals should be for research in countries in the regions referenced above. For projects being implemented through an institution that is not an IPA country office, at least one Primary Researcher should be from an institution that is able and willing to accept the administration of this award.
• Each application must be presented by a team consisting of one or more researchers involved in the design of the intervention and responsible for carrying out a rigorous evaluation of the program. At least one member of the research team must be affiliated with a research institution or a university and either hold a PhD or be a current PhD candidate in a relevant social science or engineering discipline, such as economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, psychology, public health, education, or computer science. They must demonstrate experience in field of research and randomized trials. Special consideration will be given to research teams with researchers from low-and middle-income countries.

For more information, visit

https://www.poverty-action.org/program-area/financial-inclusion/call-for-proposals

10. HerMeNow Accelerator Program

The HerMeNow Accelerator program is designed for women-led social enterprises focusing on building impactful solutions in culture, mindset, and education, this program is almost entirely remote and online and so accessible to companies across MENA + Africa (including MENA). They will help grow your business through a three-month program driven by Bloom’s project-based learning methodology and world-class support. They are excited to collaborate with the Stardust Concept ESG and Impact Division on this effort to expand entrepreneurship opportunities, education, and momentum, especially in the communities that need it most. The HerMeNow Accelerator will support 10 women-led social enterprises across the MENA + Africa region.

Eligibility Criteria

• Social Enterprises that are past the product/market fit stage and that:
• Already generate revenues or have considerable user and/or product traction.
• Are planning to expand their teams.
• Are economically viable in the long term.
• Are responsible, inclusive and social enterprises.
• Are base in MENA + Africa (including Armenia)

Funding Information

Selected teams get:

• Funding to support an essential aspect of the business could improve growth and sustainability.
• Each enterprise will get a $2,000 grant to support the enterprise’s needs and potential impact.
• Training, mentorship, and other support during the three-month accelerator program.
• Lifetime access to Bloom’s resources and HerMeNow’s network of entrepreneurs, including mentors, investors, alumni, and staff.
• Demo day exposure and other investor connections.

For more information, visit

https://www.bloom.pm/hermenow/