(May 2020)
United Nations (UN) has always been the largest supporter of NGOs, NPOs and Individuals in terms of grant opportunities, networking, conferences and capacity building. It offers a wide range of opportunities/grant calls to address sustainable development challenges worldwide. Some of the best funding programs are the UN Democracy Fund, UN Women grants, UN GEF Small Grants and UN-HABITAT Youth Grant and many more.
Every year, The United Nations (UN) and their specialized agencies launch several programs that offer grants, awards and fellowships to organizations and individuals to create strong partnerships for bringing about social change. Therefore, to assist NGOs better, we have compiled the best opportunities offered by the UN in different areas of interest. Check the list below:
Nominations Open for UN Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases Awards 2020
The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases is calling for nominations for the 2020 Award to recognize achievements during 2019 on multisectoral action in the prevention and control of NCDs, mental health and the wider NCD-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)….[more]
UNDP and Hackster.io launch Global Innovation Challenge to tackle COVID-19
The United Nations Development Programme Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development announces the COVID-19 detect and protect challenge….[more]
Call for Applications for the 2020 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes
UNESCO has announced the call for applications for the 2020 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes. This year UNESCO will reward five individuals or organizations around the world for their outstanding projects that promote literacy within the theme ‘Teaching and learning literacy: the role of educators and changing pedagogies’…[more]
Call for Nominations: 2021 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards
Nominations are now open for the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards to support eminent women in science throughout the world….[more]
PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival on Migration, Diversity & Social Inclusion
PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival is a joint initiative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) that invites the world’s youth to submit original and creative videos focusing on the themes of migration, diversity and social inclusion….[more]
ImpactAIM announces ANAU AgriTech Accelerator Program
The program is launched by UNDP ImpactAIM Accelerator and implemented jointly with Armenia National Agrarian University (ANAU), Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST), International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education (ICARE) Foundation, Nation in Action initiative, is supported by Armenian National Innovation SDG Lab and ADB Ventures Facility…[more]
ECOSOC Consultative Status: An Opportunity for NGOs to take Part in UN Deliberations
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) NGO Branch is currently inviting Non-Governmental Organizations to apply for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), in order to have an opportunity to take part in UN deliberations….[more]
WTO inviting Candidates for 2021 Young Professionals Programme
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has issued a call for candidates for the 2021 Young Professionals Programme (YPP). Candidates up to the age of 32, as of 1 January 2021, from eligible developing and least-developed countries are invited to submit their application. The selected candidates will work at the WTO Secretariat for one year, starting in January 2021….[more]
UNESCO announces Call for Applications for International Fund for Cultural Diversity
UNESCO accepts applications for the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD). The IFCD finances initiatives that stimulate the Cultural and Creative Industries in developing countries….[more]
Research4Life Massive Open Online Course on Global Access to Research in Health, Food and Agriculture, Environment, Innovation and Law
The United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries (UNTB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have announced a new partnership to support the delivery of online training activities for the 47 least-developed countries to enhance the access to recent scientific knowledge, and thus give them the opportunity to participate fully in the global scientific community…[more]
Africa Innovation and Investment Forum 2020 – COVID-19 Innovation Challenge
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and its partners are inviting researchers, firms, public and private development agencies, government leaders, innovators, youths and development partners to showcase their innovations at the first Africa Innovation and Investment Forum 2020 with a focus on COVID-19….[more]
Apply Now for African Women Leadership Fund initiative (AWLF)
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and Standard Bank Group are calling on women fund managers across Africa to apply to join the African Women Leadership Fund initiative (AWLF), an innovative impact fund that will provide capital and expertise to successful candidates.…[more]
UNICEF/Cartedo announce COVID-19 Challenge to Empower Youth across Africa
UNICEF has partnered with Cartedo to empower youth across Africa to solve a series of global grand challenges and positively impact communities while developing employability skills. They believe that youth have unique perspectives on these challenges and should be given the opportunity to become knowledge producers. This is your chance to Be seen, Be heard and Be the Change…[more]
UN Women announces Call for Proposals on “Violence against Women (VAW) Data” in Arab States
The UN Women-WHO Joint Programme on VAW Data seeks to partner with an institution or consortium of institutions in the Arab States region to develop and implement the regional capacity development initiative on VAW data, with an aim at enhancing expertise and capacity of national stakeholders in the region on the measurement of VAW in alignment with globally agreed standards and principles….[more]
UN Women announces Call for Proposals on VAW Data (East and Southern Africa)
The UN Women-WHO Joint Programme on Violence against Women (VAW) Data seeks to partner with an institution or consortium of institutions in the East and Southern Africa region to develop and implement the regional capacity development initiative on VAW data, with an aim at enhancing expertise and capacity of national stakeholders in the region on the measurement of VAW in alignment with globally agreed standards and principles….[more]
UNEP Call for Proposals: Regional Circular Economy Studies in Electronics Sector
UNEP is looking for 2 Implementing Partners to develop regional circular economy studies in the electronics sector (one for Latin America and the Caribbean, and one for Central and Eastern Europe)….[more]
UN Peacebuilding Fund’s Gender and Youth Promotion Initiative 2020
The United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund’s (PBF) Gender and Youth Promotion Initiative (GYPI) is an expression of the Fund’s commitment to inclusive peacebuilding….[more]
2020 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation
Entries are now open for the 2020 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation recognizes exemplary efforts by individuals and organizations to restore or conserve structures, places and properties of heritage value in the region….[more]
UNCDF seeking Proposals for Inclusive Innovations for Driving Financial Health of Low- and Moderate-Income Segments & Small Business
UNDF invites to apply banks, financial intermediaries, microfinance institutions, insurance companies technology companies and other firms registered anywhere across the globe and willing to enter or already on ground in one of the above markets with a solution that is focused on driving financial health of any low and moderate income segment (includes small business)….[more]
Call for Proposals: Grants Scheme to support CSOs on Projects to Fast-Track UNCAC Implementation
The Civil Society Team (CST) is pleased to invite CSOs from South America and Mexico and Southeast Asia to apply for a grant which aims to fast-track the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption in different regions….[more]
United Nations Development Programme announces Czech Innovation Challenge
The Czech-UNDP Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals Project aim to respond to the development challenges by transferring Czech expertise and innovative solutions for SDGs to partner countries…[more]
Nominations Open for 2020 SEAMEO-Japan ESD Award
The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT), in cooperation with the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, have shown their collective commitment to promote best practices in ESD in schools across Southeast Asia, by organising the SEAMEO-Japan Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Award…[more]
Country Specific
- UNDP seeking Proposals for Providing a Series of Training Sessions on Business Ideas origination, Startups & Business Plans Development in Ukraine
- UNDP inviting NGOs/CSOs for Managing Small Grants Programme in Ukraine
- UNDP seeking Proposals for “Study of Existing Schemes/Program for Coastal Areas and Identification of Institutions for Networking Opportunities” – India
- UNDP seeking Proposals for “Empanelment of Agencies to Conduct Energy Audit & RE Feasibility Assessment of MSME units in Manipur” (India)
Kyrgyz Republic
UNDP announces Call for Proposals for Access to Justice for Legal Empowerment in Kyrgyz Republic
Others
UNDP inviting National Firm to assist EPPIC Competition related Communications Activities – Vietnam
UNDP announces Open Call for NGOs: Boosting protection of Victims of Violence – Montenegro
UNDP seeking Proposals for Conflict mapping at District Level in Afghanistan
