How Youths in Africa can take up leadership roles with these new grants?

(October 2020)

Youths across Africa are preparing to take strong leadership roles as the continent witnesses massive development changes and take a lead position in the new world. We take a look at those grants that will empower these youths and how youth-led NGOs and NGOs working for youths can use them for building the next generation of world leaders.

The THRIVE Africa Challenge for Entrepreneurs and Startups

Deadline: 20 November 2020

The THRIVE Africa Challenge has been launched to solve problems of the African agrifood industry, accelerates the development of the ecosystem, and selects the best startups and scale-ups for investment and global recognition.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Promote innovation and recognize the most promising agrifood companies in Africa.
Exposure to local & international investors and organizations.
Acceleration and attraction of the agrifood innovation ecosystem to the continent, bringing together key organizations.
Winning company qualifies for the finals of the THRIVE Accelerator program.
Announcement in THRIVE social media, website and newsletter.

Winning Company Receives

The winner will receive the THRIVE Africa Challenge Award and advance to the finals of the Global THRIVE Accelerator Program with an opportunity to be selected for the THRIVE VII Cohort in Silicon Valley, CA.

Recognition Award: THRIVE Africa Challenge Award
Silicon Valley Startup Bootcamp (Summer 2021) for max. 2 founders, conducted by THRIVE (US$ 15k value total, including travel, food, and accommodations).
Invitation to pitch at the THRIVE VII Accelerator Finals. Selected companies receive investment and the opportunity to pitch at THRIVE|Forbes Demo Day 2021 in Salinas, CA, USA.
Recognition by SVG THRIVE.
Automatic acceptance as a Samsung XTC Finalist.

Noel Buxton Trust’s Africa Grants | Offering up to £5,000

Deadline: Ongoing

The Noel Buxton Trust is currently accepting applications for its Africa Grants, with an aim to support and protect street children, and help them find safe and sustainable livelihoods.

The Trust would welcome applications that demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community based organisations and ensuring the voice of poor and marginalised women and men are properly heard and respected.

Grants Information

The maximum grant is £5,000 per year for up to three years.

Geographical Focus

The Trustees fund work in Africa. At present they favour projects based in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Sudan and South Sudan. Priority will be given to work with communities living in urban slums and semi-arid regions where economic hardship is most extreme.
The Trustees would welcome applications from Sahelian countries as long as they can be submitted in English.

Eligibility Criteria

Trustees tend to offer grants to smaller, grass-roots organisations and do not generally respond to appeals from large and well-supported charities.
The Trustees welcome applications from diaspora led organisations based and registered in the UK.
The Trust is willing to consider direct applications from registered civil society organisations in Africa or UK based charities which might be diaspora organisations based in the UK.
Applications need to be made in English.

Urgent Action Fund-Africa: Natural Resource Governance & Climate Grant

Deadline: Ongoing

Urgent Action Fund-Africa is committed to supporting African feminists and women human rights defenders and their formations to advocate for their active participation and decision making in the governance of natural resources and the orientation and implementation of climate justice policies and practices.

Natural resource governance, climate and social justice interact in a circular fashion. Women are critical to the management and control of natural resources such as land and water.

Funding Information

UAF-Africa will provide Rapid Response Grants of up to USD 7,000, and Advocacy and Alliance Building Grants of up to USD 10,000 to support the above-mentioned work.

UAF-Africa will support work that includes:

Innovative and creative strategies that address and draw attention to the impacts and injustice of climate change and environmental violations on women;
Initiatives that advocate for policies and legislation to mitigate climate change;
Initiatives that seek to advocate for women’s access, use and control of land;
Initiatives that seek to prevent or reduce deforestation;
Initiatives that seek to advocate for clean and safe environment particularly concerning water and air pollution;
Initiatives that advocate against the exclusion of women’s voices in decisions around matters of the environment;
Research and documentation of environmental and climate change challenges that have been compounded by COVID-19 pandemic e.g access to water.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications will be accepted from feminist, women’s rights and climate justice defenders, collectives, cooperatives, groups, organizations and movements working in Africa.

How to Apply

The Call for Proposals is open from 1st October, 2020 and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from feminist, womn’s rights and climate justice defenders, collectives, cooperatives, groups, organizations and movements working in Africa.
To apply, please access the Rapid Response or Advocacy and Alliance Building application forms given on their website. Once completed, email your application to the address mentioned on the website.
If you need further information regards this Call for Proposals, please contact UAF-Africa by sending an email to the address given on the website with the subject line: Natural Resources Governance and Climate Justice

Jana Robeyst Trust Fund | Small Conservation Grants for Projects

Deadline: 31 December 2020

The Jana Robeyst Trust Fund (JRTF) is seeking applications for its Small Conservation Grants program to provide relatively small levels of funding for ongoing projects or pilot programs with clear conservation value.

The Jana Robeyst Trust Fund provides financial resources to early-career scientists/conservationists and non-profit organizations to carry out vital field conservation and research work in Africa.

Funding Information

Small grants will be awarded up to a maximum of 1,500 euros.

Eligibility Criteria

This funding program is open to individuals or organizations for projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The foundation accepts projects related to the conservation of mammals and especially (forest) elephants.
Applicants can be based anywhere in the world.
Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are welcome to apply again 12 months after the submission.

What project is eligible for funding?

The eligible project will have clear conservation value and be based in a country in sub-Saharan Africa.
Preference will go to projects in relation to elephants. Education projects will also be considered.
Travel costs for the presentation of the project at a conference or participation in a workshop/training program will also be considered.
Purchase of field equipment if they are essential in completing the fieldwork.

Blog4Dev 2021 Competition: Blogging Skills Test for African Youth!

Deadline: 30 November 2020

The World Bank Group has announced a call for applications for the Blog4Dev 2021 Competition: Put Your Blogging Skills to Test! In an effort to find a common solution to a common challenge, they would also like to hear the views of African youth on the COVID-19 response.

Blog4Dev winners contribute to the blogging community through original content posted on the Youth Transforming Africa blog platform. Youth Transforming Africa (YTA) is a World Bank-supported youth engagement initiative that aims to engage more African youth in the thinking and discussions on development in Africa.

Winning authors are eligible for several prizes, including an invitation to attend a dedicated program during the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings 2021 (if the health situation improves), opportunities to represent Africa’s youth at high-level events, a chance to intern at a World Bank country office, or an opportunity to have their blog published on the World Bank blog Youth Transforming Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the #Blog4Dev competition, you must:

Be a citizen of one of the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa;
Be between the ages of 18 and 28 on November 30, 2020;
Not have been a winner of previous editions.

Submission

Submissions must be original. The World Bank Group reserves the right to test every entry with anti-plagiarism software.
The submission deadline is November 30, 2020. Late submissions will be disqualified automatically.
The blog post length should not exceed the following limits: 500 words in English and 650 words in French and Portuguese. Longer entries will be disqualified.
Only one submission per entrant is allowed.
By entering the contest, participants agree to release the World Bank Group from any claims based on the contest, and grant the World Bank Group all rights to their entry, including consent to publish their entered blog post on the World Bank Group’s website and social media channels.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification from the contest. Bloggers agree to comply with, and be bound by, the decisions of the World Bank Group, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this competition. Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification from the contest.

European Union Grant Call: Promoting Sexual Health & Adolescents Rights in Africa

Deadline: 26 November 2020

The European Union (EU) has launched a proposals for Promoting the Universal Reproductive Sexual Health and Rights of Vulnerable Adolescents in Africa.

The focus of the call is on strengthening public and community health systems to better respond to the needs of these groups, including planning and provision of sexuality education and SRHR information and services, and on enabling the environment for the sustainable financing and effective delivery of these services as well as for the protection of adolescents’ sexual and reproductive rights.

Funding Information

The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is EUR 30,500,000. The contracting authority reserves the right not to award all available funds.

Size of grants

Any EU requested contribution under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:

Minimum amount EUR 5,000,000;
Maximum amount: EUR 10,000,000.

Duration

The initial planned duration of an action may not be lower than 24 months nor exceed 48 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Lead applicant(s)

In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:

be a legal person, and
be non-profit-making. Please note that for-profit organizations may also be eligible in exceptional and duly justified cases.
be a non-governmental organization, Please note that the Evaluation Committee will take into consideration the different legal forms of registration in the respective countries. Note that international organizations are not eligible. The applicant should attach a justification, and
be established in one of the eligible countries or territories, and
be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicants and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary, and
have at least 3 years of experience and demonstrated track record in health systems strengthening (public and/or community systems, beyond supporting service delivery) to advance adolescent SRHR with work experience at national, regional and community level; this should be clearly reflected and described in the full application, and
have established partnership with at least one local organization as co-applicant in each targeted country -civil society organization or local authority- (except if one is the country where the lead applicant is established); this should be demonstrated in the concept note through letters of support from the local co-applicants.

YALI RLC West Africa Emerging Leaders Program for emerging and aspiring Young Entrepreneurs

Deadline: 29-Nov-20

Applications are now open for the Cohort 37 of YALI RLC West Africa Emerging Leaders Program for emerging or aspiring young entrepreneurs.

What they Offer

Business and Entrepreneurship
- This track caters to the range of emerging or aspiring entrepreneurs who expect to take on leadership roles within the private sector or build their own business ventures on the continent.
Civil Society Management
- This track is oriented to those who are or aspire to be civically engaged and serve the public through non-governmental organizations, community based organizations, or volunteerism.
Public Policy and Management
- This track is tailored to those who work or aspire to work in any level of government (including elected positions), regional organizations such as the African Union or the West Africa Community, international organizations such as the United Nations, or other publicly minded organizations or think tanks.

Reasons to Apply to the YALI

At the end of the programs participants will be awarded with certificate and become a member of the Yali Alumni.
Participants will be taking through various forms of leadership training to prepare them for leadership role in their various endeavors.
Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The management of the YALI Regional Leadership Center, West Africa – Accra reserves the right to verify all of the information included in the application.

Who can Apply

Competition for the YALI Regional Leadership Center West Africa is a merit-based and open to young West African leaders who meet the following criteria:

Are 18 to 35 years of age at the time of application submission;
Are citizens and residents of one of the following countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Burkina Faso;
Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.;
Are eligible to receive any necessary visa to Ghana; and
Are proficient in reading, writing, listening and speaking English.

ISDAO 3rd Grant Cycle: Strengthening West African for Gender & Sexual Rights

Deadline: 13 November 2020

The Initiative Sankofa d’Afrique de l’Ouest (ISDAO) is pleased to announce for its 3rd grants cycle. ISDAO provides flexible funding to support the overall coordination, operations, and strengthening of a group, organization, or network.

ISDAO is a West African activist-led Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) Fund dedicated to strengthening and supporting a West African movement for gender diversity and sexual rights by adopting a flexible approach to grant-making, and ultimately developing a culture of philanthropy that is committed to equality and social justice.

Funding Information

ISDAO’s grants range from USD 5,000 to USD 20,000 for a period of one year; depending on the organization’s needs, grant experience, and available funds.

Up to USD 5,000 Foundational seed support for informal start-ups between 0-2 years, working locally at the grassroots.
$5,001 to $15,000 Funding to sustain pre-existing work or to implement new initiatives undertaken by more formal groups that have been active for at least two years, working at local, national, or regional levels.
$15,001 to $20,000 Funding to consolidate or develop work by formal groups working at national or regional levels that have at least 3 years’ working experience and have functional organizational systems and structures and full-time staff.

Eligibility Criteria

ISDAO grants are currently awarded to organizations, networks, and groups that:

Are led by lesbians, gays, bisexual, queer, intersex and trans (LGBTQI) people. ISDAO considers a group to be “led by LGBTQI people” when LGBTQI people are in decision-making roles, including defining the organization’s strategic and financial priorities, and represent at least 75% of the staff, spokespersons, and members of the board or other decision-making bodies.
Are based in at least one of ISDAO’s current focal countries, including: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal or Togo.
Are dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQI people at the local, national, or regional level.
Are committed to engaging in and strengthening the movement to advance the human rights and inclusion of LGBTQI persons.
ISDAO does not require a group to be legally registered to be Eligible for funding.
Please note that projects proposed by individuals, government Institutions, or political organizations will not be considered for Funding.

2020 Izele Small Grant Scheme | Call for Organisations, Groups, or Businesses

Deadline: 15 November 2020

The 2020 Izele Small Grant scheme is now open to all conservation areas, organisations, groups, or businesses based in Eswatini, South Africa and Mozambique.

Funding Information

Izele is offering three grants of US$1,500.

Eligibility Criteria

This grant scheme is not open to individuals.
For your project to be eligible, it must contribute towards the conservation of biodiversity and be based in Eswatini, South Africa or Mozambique.

How to enter

Providing information about your organisation
They will assess your organisation based on the information on its Izele page. This means your organisation’s Izele page will need to have:
- A good quality banner image and logo image.
- 20 people who have made the page one of their favourites.
- At least 2 posts in the News Feed illustrating their work.
- Their location shown on the Map Tab.
- Important information about them on the About Tab.
- If relevant, details of partners, supporters and funders on the About Tab.
- For conservation areas and ecotourism businesses, details of the services and activities they provide on the Amenities Tab.
- For conservation areas, a list of the notable bird and mammal species on the Species Tab.
- For organisations, if relevant, a list of the species benefitting from their work on the Species Tab. If a species is missing from the list of options, please email at the address given on the website and they will add it.