Funding Friday...
10 new funding opportunities for your innovation and technology work!
Global
🤖 AI for Human Agency - The Agency Fund
📝 The Agency Fund is dedicated to harnessing the power of AI to amplify human agency. They believe in the potential of AI to provide free, interactive, and personalized advice, similar to the guidance offered by mentors or support figures. The fund is particularly interested in projects that can demonstrate the positive impact of AI in real-world settings. Examples include AI chatbots for women's health in India and AI-driven platforms offering career advice to students.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Empowerment through AI: How can AI tools be designed to genuinely empower individuals, especially in critical decision-making scenarios?
Ethical Use of AI: What safeguards are in place to ensure the ethical use of AI, especially in vulnerable communities? S
calability and Impact: How can AI-driven solutions be scaled to reach a wider audience while maintaining their efficacy?
🔗 AI for Human Agency - The Agency Fund
📚 UNESCO Call for AI in Learning Assessment
📝 UNESCO is actively seeking proposals that demonstrate the effective use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various forms of learning assessment. This initiative aims to delve into the application of AI in assessments like formative, summative, and high-stakes exams. Additionally, the focus is on understanding the efficacy of AI technologies in these processes, with a strong emphasis on ethical data practices and the preservation of human agency. Selected proposals will have the opportunity to present during UNESCO's Digital Learning Week 2024 and might also be featured in UNESCO's case study reports.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
AI in Education: How can AI technologies revolutionize traditional learning assessment methods?
Ethical Data Practices: What measures can be implemented to ensure ethical data collection and usage in AI-driven assessments?
Human Agency in AI: How can we strike a balance between AI automation and human intervention to maintain the integrity of learning assessments?
🔗 UNESCO Call for AI in Learning Assessment
🌐 Future of Government
📝 The Future of Government platform is a global initiative that seeks to reimagine the role of government in the 21st century. It aims to foster discussions, share insights, and develop actionable solutions to address the challenges faced by governments worldwide. The platform emphasizes the importance of innovation, collaboration, and citizen-centric approaches to create more resilient and effective governance structures. Through its various activities, including events, publications, and dialogues, the Future of Government platform brings together thought leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to shape the future of governance.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Innovative Governance: How can governments adapt to the rapid changes of the 21st century and remain relevant to their citizens?
Collaborative Approaches: What are the benefits of fostering collaboration between governments, private sectors, and civil society in policy-making?
Citizen-Centric Governance: How can governments ensure that their policies and actions are truly centered around the needs and aspirations of their citizens?
Asia-Pacific
🌿 RRC-EA Wetland Fund 2024
📝 The Ramsar Regional Center - East Asia (RRC-EA) has introduced the Wetland Fund 2024 to support wetland conservation and wise use in East Asia. The fund aims to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands in the East Asian region, in line with the Ramsar Convention's objectives. Projects that focus on wetland conservation, restoration, sustainable use, and capacity building are encouraged to apply.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Wetland Conservation: How can wetlands be effectively conserved and restored in the East Asian region?
Sustainable Use: What strategies can be implemented to ensure the sustainable use of wetlands without compromising their ecological integrity?
Capacity Building: How can local communities and stakeholders be empowered to play an active role in wetland conservation and sustainable use?
🚀 AppWorks Accelerator
📝 AppWorks Accelerator is a leading startup accelerator program in Asia, designed to help founders of promising startups scale and succeed. The program focuses on AI, Blockchain, and Southeast Asia. Every six months, AppWorks Accelerator recruits 30 startups to join a rigorous 6-month program. The selected startups receive mentorship, free office space, and a range of resources to accelerate their growth. The program culminates in a Demo Day, where startups pitch to a room full of investors. Since its inception, AppWorks Accelerator has nurtured numerous successful startups, making it a sought-after program in the region.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Role of Accelerators: How do accelerator programs like AppWorks contribute to the success and growth of startups?
Focus on AI and Blockchain: Why are AI and Blockchain critical areas of focus for startups in the current tech landscape?
Startups in Southeast Asia: What unique challenges and opportunities do startups face in the Southeast Asia region, and how does AppWorks address them?
🎇 Spark by Peak XV Ventures
📝 Spark is a program by Peak XV Ventures designed to support early-stage startups. The program aims to help startups refine their product-market fit, scale their operations, and prepare for institutional fundraising. Startups that are selected for the Spark program receive a range of benefits, including mentorship, access to a network of industry experts, and potential investment opportunities. The program is sector-agnostic, meaning it is open to startups from any industry.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Value of Mentorship: How can mentorship from industry experts accelerate the growth and development of early-stage startups?
Scaling Operations: What are the key challenges startups face when trying to scale, and how can programs like Spark help address these challenges?
Preparing for Fundraising: How does participation in a program like Spark enhance a startup's attractiveness to potential investors?
Africa
🎓 Shaping Futures Academy
📝 The Shaping Futures Academy is a unique training program offered by IDOS. It is designed to empower individuals and organizations to shape the future through the use of foresight methods. The academy offers a range of courses, from beginner to advanced levels, that cover various aspects of foresight, including scenario planning, trend analysis, and vision development. The courses are tailored to meet the needs of different sectors, including public administration, civil society, and the private sector. The academy also provides a platform for networking and exchange among foresight practitioners.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Importance of Foresight: How can foresight methods help organizations anticipate and prepare for future challenges and opportunities?
Scenario Planning: How can scenario planning be used as a tool to envision multiple future possibilities and develop strategies accordingly?
Role of Vision Development: How can organizations benefit from developing a clear and compelling vision for the future?
🔗 Shaping Futures Academy - IDOS
🔋 Off-Grid Energy Business Initiative: Market Development Fund in Mozambique
📝 The Off-Grid Energy Business Initiative aims to support the development of the off-grid energy market in Mozambique. This initiative seeks to provide financial assistance to businesses and projects that focus on delivering clean, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions to rural and underserved areas in Mozambique. The goal is to promote energy access, reduce energy poverty, and contribute to the country's sustainable development. The fund is designed to support a range of activities, including market research, pilot projects, and scaling up of successful models.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Energy Access in Mozambique: How can off-grid energy solutions address the energy access challenges faced by rural communities in Mozambique?
Sustainability and Affordability: How can businesses ensure that the energy solutions they provide are both sustainable and affordable for the target communities?
Role of Pilot Projects: How can pilot projects help in testing and refining off-grid energy solutions before they are scaled up?
🔗 Off-Grid Energy Business Initiative: Market Development Fund in Mozambique
🌟 Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30 List - Class of 2024
📝 Forbes Africa is calling for nominations for its prestigious "30 Under 30" list for the Class of 2024. This marks the 10th milestone edition of the list, which celebrates young African trailblazers under the age of 30 from various sectors including business, technology, creatives, and sport. These individuals are recognized for their innovative achievements, leadership potential, and their ability to break new ground. Being featured on this list is a significant accolade, as it positions the individual among the continent's most promising young change-makers.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Impact of Recognition: How does being featured on Forbes Africa's "30 Under 30" list influence the careers and trajectories of the individuals selected?
Diversity of Achievements: What does the varied list of honorees, spanning different sectors, say about the dynamic and multifaceted nature of Africa's young talent?
Legacy of the List: As the 10th milestone edition, how has the "30 Under 30" list evolved over the years, and what impact has it had on the African entrepreneurial and creative landscape?
🔗 Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30 List - Class of 2024
🌱 Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation Grant Cycle 2024
📝 The Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, established in 2016, is a grant-making organization dedicated to supporting non-profit and social enterprise organizations across Africa. These organizations work to address various challenges and vulnerabilities prevalent in the continent. ACT Foundation's mission revolves around building sustainable societies by engaging in initiatives that unlock potential and empower beneficiaries. They believe in fostering partnerships and collaborations to create sustainable communities that offer innovative solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges. The foundation provides grants to organizations that align with their focus areas and offers guidance throughout the grant process.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Sustainable Societies: How can organizations ensure that their initiatives lead to the creation of sustainable societies in Africa?
Innovative Solutions: What role do innovative solutions play in addressing the diverse challenges faced by African communities?
Partnerships in Philanthropy: How can partnerships and collaborations amplify the impact of philanthropic efforts in Africa?