Funding Opportunities for African Businesses

1. 2022 One World Media Fellowship (£1,000 Production Grant)

 2022 One World Media Fellowship is now open for aspiring journalists and filmmakers who seek to make a career out of reporting on stories from the global south. Working in film, print, audio or multimedia, the Fellows’ projects bring together integrity and creativity to present underreported stories that break down stereotypes and build cross-cultural connections.

One World Media guides filmmakers and journalists on a single project, and provide a supportive network of mentors and peers through the production and completion of their project.

Benefits

• £1,000 production grant
• Executive Producer for your project
• Career mentorship
• Workshops and webinars by industry experts
• Fair Reporting and Security Guidance
• Introductions to commissioners
• Networks of like-minded Fellows and Alumni

Eligibility Criteria

• One World Media is open to applications from all around the world.
• One World Media Fellows are aspiring filmmakers and journalists ready to take the next leap in their career reporting from the global south.
• In 2022, 12 international fellows will be selected.

For more information, visit https://oneworldmedia.org.uk/fellowship/aaply/

2. USADF-All On 2022 Off-Grid Energy Challenge in Nigeria

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) and All On are excited to request proposals for eligible Nigerian off-grid energy companies for the USADF-All On 2022 Off-Grid Energy Challenge. Proposals of up to US$100,000 in 50/50 blended financing (grant/debt or equity) per award will be considered, with a maximum of ten (10) awards anticipated.

Benefits

Winning applicants will receive:

• An investment from All On in the form of a convertible loan at an affordable interest rate and/or an equity investment.
• Seed capital from All On in the form of grants, and from USADF in the form of Community Reinvestment Grant (CRG) funds. The CRG intends for grant recipients to recommit a percentage of grant funding to a local organization to further support community-level projects in Nigeria.
• Access to intensive local technical assistance and governance support.

Eligibility Criteria

• USADF and All On will consider proposals from 100% African-owned and majority Nigerian-owned and Nigerian managed companies.
• Winning proposals must:
• further develop, scale up or extend use of proven technologies for off-grid energy in Nigeria.
• Benefit marginalized, or low-income rural or urban populations currently undeserved by utility companies, ideally with a focus on benefits to women and girls.
• Demonstrate financial sustainability or the potential for financial sustainability.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of experience or have project sponsors or partners with a proven track record of related experience.
• Propose a budget of no more than US$100,000. Proposals with budgets greater than US$100,000 must bring leveraged resources from one or more other sources that meet the total financing requirements. Leveraged funds from other private sector and donor sources are encouraged.

For more information, visit https://www.usadf.gov/apply

3. Pulitzer Center’s AI Accountability Fellowship Programme

The Pulitzer Center is seeking applications for its AI Accountability Fellowship that seeks to support staff and freelance journalists working on in-depth AI accountability stories that examine governments and corporations’ uses of predictive and surveillance technologies to guide decisions in policing, medicine, social welfare, the criminal justice system, hiring and more.

Funding Information

The eight-months-long Fellowship will provide journalists up to $20,000 to pursue their reporting project. The funds can be used to pay for records requests, travel expenses, data analysis, and stipends. In addition, the fellows will have access to mentors and relevant training with a group of peers that will help strengthen their reporting projects.

Benefits

The opportunity to work on an urgent, underreported issue for a substantial period of time.

• Access to mentors and specialized training opportunities.
• A community of like-minded colleagues that will continue beyond your Fellowship.
• Financial support to cover records requests, travel expenses, data analysis, and stipends.

Eligibility Criteria

• Staff or freelance journalists working on a wide range of platforms, including print, radio, video, and multimedia.
• Team players with the experience and/or ability to work collaboratively across newsrooms and borders.
• Reporters with a deep interest in how AI impacts the world, and why this issue matters to their global well-being.
• Reporters willing to participate in outreach activities related to their investigations, such as events at schools and universities.
• Reporters can be anywhere. The fellowships are remote.

For more information, visit https://pulitzercenter.org/grants-fellowships/opportunities-journalists/ai-accountability-fellowships

4. EUI’s Young African Leaders Programme

The European University Institute (EUI) is inviting applications for the Young African Leaders Programme, a tailor-made fellowship and training programme that aims at catalysing and fostering changes as envisioned in the Africa Agenda 2063 and in the Africa-EU Partnership. The Young African Leaders Programme is a fellowship scheme that provides a unique opportunity for policy experts from Africa (all regions) to further develop their policy work and professional and leadership skills amidst international experts.

Funding Information

Fellowships are fully-funded with a grant of €2,500 pr month. The selected African fellows must live in the area of Florence for the duration of their stay. The language of the Programme is English. Where possible, the STG will seek to integrate French. The Programme has an intensive training schedule, and is therefore a full-time and fully-funded fellowship scheme.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Programme targets mid-career, high potential policy-makers, diplomats, and professionals from Africa, working in national and local authorities, regional, continental, international organizations and development partners, civil society organizations, academia, media and private sector in Africa.

For more information, visit https://www.eui.eu/aaply?id=africanleaders

5. EDD 2022 Young Leaders Programme

The European Development Days (EDD) 2022 Young Leaders Programme offers a unique opportunity for young people from all over the world with strong expertise and commitment to positive social change to share their views, influence decision-makers and stakeholders and further develop leadership skills.

The European Development Days (EDD) aims to allow young people to share their views, influence decision-makers and stakeholders, and develop their full potential as leaders and change-makers.

Eligibility Criteria

• As a lead organization, you may submit up to one proposal for a session (i.e. High-Level Panel, Lab, Project presentation or Brainstorming), up to one proposal for an exhibition, and up to one proposal for a Global Village stand.
• As a partner organization, you may be a part of additional proposals.

For more information, visit https://eudevdays.eu/get-involved

6. Mentor-Driven Capital Program Nigeria 2022

VC4A Mentor-Driven Capital Program calls for established business professionals, entrepreneur and investors who want play a bigger role and make a tangible difference in Nigeria’s exciting startup ecosystem.

What they offer:

• Mentor-Driven Capital Bootcamps spread across different sessions covering amongst others:
• Introduction to Mentor-Driven Capital
• Mentoring a promising startup
• Thinking/Acting like an Angel Investor
• You also get access to:
• Group mentor reflections
• Mentorship guide and online training materials
• Resident experts on corporate matchmaking & investment readiness
• Promising startup companies looking for angel investment
• A profile on VC4A website for networking and sourcing opportunities.
• VC4A Mentorship Marketplace membership to mentor others
• Complimentary access to the Africa Early-Stage Investor Summit 2022

Eligibility Criteria

• The program is open to a maximum of 20 aspiring business mentors in Nigeria, or to those who strong ties with – and interest in – Nigeria. The only thing you need to invest during the approx. 4- month program is your valuable time, knowledge and network.
• You are based in Nigeria or closely affiliated with the country.
• Senior business professional with multiple years of experience.
• Corporate, financial or entrepreneurial background.
• Potentially already active as angel investor, and want to improve mentor skills.
• Potentially already active as mentor, and want to become an angel investor.

For more information, visit https://vc4a.com/vc4a/mentor-driven-capital-program-nigeria-2022/

7. 4^th Biophilia Award for Environmental Communication (100,000 euros)

Entries are now open for the 4^th Biophilia Award for Environmental Communication to recognize the work of professionals and organizations in any country that have contributed exceptionally to improving public understanding and awareness of ecological issues, through the dissemination of scientific knowledge and by opening up new perspectives on nature from any disciplinary angle. The award recognizes contributions in any aspect of environmental communication, especially in the areas of biodiversity conservation and climate change, characterized by a particular innovative approach.

 Award Contest

• One award will be given comprising 100,000 euros, a diploma and a commemorative artwork.
• In the event that the award goes to a candidature comprising two or more persons, its monetary amount will be divided equally between them.
• The BBVA Foundation will deliver the award in full to the winner(s) at a public ceremony convened for this purpose. The prize money may be spent at awardees’ discretion.
• The award will be subject to the withholding and other taxes stipulated in current legislation, which will be deducted from its monetary amount.

Eligibility Criteria

• Natural or legal persons of any nationality engaging professionally in any facet of environmental communication.
• Joint entries will be accepted from two or more natural or legal persons that have made collaborative contributions in environmental dissemination and communication.
• Candidatures may be direct, submitted by the interested parties, or indirect, with other natural or legal persons presenting letters of nominations.

For more information, visit https://biophilia-fbbva.es/en/premios/biophilia-award-for-environmental-communication-4th-edition/

8. 2022 NOFO for NGO Programs in Chad and Southeast Nigeria

Department of State Bureau of Population Refugees and (PRM) Migration is seeking applications for NGO programs in Chad and Southeast Nigeria.

Program Areas

Proposals must align with one or more of the following program areas:

• Humanitarian Protection and Assistance
• Interim and Durable Solutions

Program Sectors and Modalities

Proposals must focus on one or more of the following programmatic sectors:

• Education
• Health
• Protection

Funding Information

• Only program plans for two or three years will be considered.
• Programs with a period of performance of one-year (12 month) cycles for a period not to exceed three years (36 months) from the proposed start date will be considered.

Funding Limits

• Program proposals must not be less than the funding floor and not more than the funding ceiling per year or they will be disqualified.
• Funding floor per year (lowest $ value): $1,000,000 per year
• Funding ceiling per year (highest $ value): $2,000,000 per year

For more information visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppld=338498

9. Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program

The World Bank Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program (RSMFP) is now open for aspiring development economics researchers from developing countries with World Bank research economists, creating unique opportunities for the fellows to participate in rigorous policy-relevant research in the World Bank’s Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC).

Compensation & Benefits

• The RSMFP offers a competitive compensation, totaling $42,750 net of income taxes per fellow for an 8-month fellowship (paid in monthly installments). Since the fellows will be hosted at the World Bank in Washington D.C., the World Bank’s HR Operations unit will assist the selected candidates with their application for G4 visa.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the RSMFP, applicants must be:

• Nationals of World Bank WBG member countries, with preference to nationals of developing countries.
• Fluent in English.
• Graduates of Master’s level studies or currently pursuing a PhD in Economics or a related field.
• No more than 35 years of age (By June 30, 2022)
• Available to relocate to Washington, D.C for the duration of the fellowship.

For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships/brief/robert-s-mcnamara-fellowships-program#overview

10. The African Feminist Academy for Climate Justice

 The African Women’s Development and Communication Network has launched the African Feminist Academy for Climate Justice (AFACJ). The Academy will bring together African women’s rights organizations (WROs), girls and young women-led organizations and feminist groups to be abreast with science, history, politics, and economics of climate change.

Eligibility Criteria

• From across Africa, priority will be given to applicants from Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa, and Egypt.
• Women’s rights activists and advocates – including young feminists working in positions of policy influence and advocacy for the advancement of climate justice rights.
• Journalists and bloggers interested in climate justice, science, history and politics of climate change.
• Academicians and feminist scholars.

For more information, visit https://femnet.org/2022/02/the-african-feminist-academy-for-climate-justice-afacj/