Funding Friday
Funding Friday
Happy Friday readers,
This week newsletter is packed with exciting opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and community development across the globe. We feature a variety of grant programs and challenges designed to support startups, SMEs, and community groups in their efforts to drive positive change. This week we cover internationalisation grants for SMEs to initiatives promoting digital resilience and urban agriculture technologies. Read on to discover how you can take part in these impactful initiatives and contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future.
Jesse
Global
📊 Internationalisation Grants for SMEs
📝 The INGENIOUS project is offering €25,000 in funding to support internationalisation missions to Africa, Asia, North and Latin America. Each grant, valued at €2,500, is available to SMEs in the energy-intensive industry. Eligible SMEs can apply for multiple grants across Innovation, Internationalisation, and Training categories, with a maximum total funding of €60,000 per applicant.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Global Expansion: How can internationalisation grants help SMEs overcome barriers to entering global markets?
Economic Growth: What are the potential benefits of supporting SMEs in their international expansion efforts?
Grant Utilization: What are the best practices for SMEs to effectively utilize these grants?
🔗 Internationalization Grants for SMEs
🛠️ Resiliency Grant Program
📝 The Internet Society Foundation's Resiliency Grant Program supports projects that enhance network resiliency in communities prone to natural and climate-related disasters. This program provides funding to ensure communities can maintain or repair Internet infrastructure and connectivity during and after disasters. The grants offer substantial financial support, training, and resources to organizations dedicated to improving Internet resilience.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Internet Resiliency: How can communities better prepare their Internet infrastructure to withstand natural disasters?
Disaster Response: What role does reliable Internet connectivity play in disaster response and recovery efforts?
Community Training: How can local stakeholders be effectively trained to manage and maintain resilient Internet systems?
🔗 Resiliency Grant Program - Internet Society Foundation
Asia-Pacific
🤝 FutureWORKS Asia: Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future of Work
📝 LIRNEasia invites proposals for gender-responsive, policy-relevant applied research projects to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive future of work in Asia. This initiative, supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), seeks to foster innovation and address the challenges posed by the changing work landscape.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Future of Work: How can research projects address the evolving nature of work in Asia?
Gender Inclusion: What strategies can ensure gender-responsive approaches in work-related policies?
Sustainability: How can sustainable practices be integrated into future work models?
🔗 FutureWORKS Asia: Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future of Work
🌊 Impact Challenge At SEA
📝 Impact Challenge At SEA aims to discover and invest in promising impact startups in Vietnam that address climate solutions or digital economy transitions. The program offers substantial financial support, mentoring, and partnership opportunities to startups that contribute to solving environmental problems or utilize digital technology for social impact.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Climate Solutions: How can startups effectively tackle environmental challenges through innovative business models?
Digital Economy: What role does digital technology play in driving sustainable development?
Impact Investment: How can impact investment foster long-term social and environmental benefits?
🚀 Malaysia MyStartup Pre-Accelerator Programme
📝 The Malaysia MyStartup Pre-Accelerator Programme Cohort 4 invites early-stage startups to participate in a comprehensive pre-accelerator program. The initiative aims to provide startups with the necessary skills, mentorship, and resources to refine their business models and accelerate their growth. Participants will have access to expert guidance, workshops, and networking opportunities.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Startup Growth: How can early-stage startups effectively scale their businesses?
Mentorship: What role does mentorship play in the success of new startups?
Resource Utilization: How can startups maximize the benefits of pre-accelerator programs?
🔗 Malaysia MyStartup Pre-Accelerator Programme Cohort 4
🏙️ Smart City Living Lab Wi-SUN Challenge - India
📝 The Smart City Living Lab Wi-SUN Challenge in India invites applications for innovative solutions that enhance smart city infrastructure. The program supports projects that utilize Wi-SUN technology to improve urban living through smart applications. Funding, resources, and expert guidance are provided to help implement impactful smart city solutions.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Smart City Solutions: How can Wi-SUN technology be utilized to create more efficient and sustainable urban environments?
Urban Innovation: What are the key challenges and opportunities in developing smart city infrastructure?
Technology Impact: How can technology improve the quality of life in urban areas?
🔗 Smart City Living Lab Wi-SUN Challenge - India
Africa
👐🏽 Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program - Ethiopia
📝 The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia announces the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program, which provides small grants to community groups. The program aims to improve economic and social conditions at the grassroots level. It supports initiatives in agriculture, education, health, and income-generating activities. Projects should be sustainable, benefit a significant number of people, and demonstrate community involvement.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Community Development: How can small grants drive significant change at the grassroots level?
Sustainability: What factors contribute to the long-term success of community projects?
Local Impact: How can community involvement enhance project outcomes?
🔗 Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program - Ethiopia
💡 Funding for Energy Technologies in South Africa
📝 Funding is available for innovative energy technology projects in South Africa. This initiative supports the development and implementation of new energy solutions to enhance sustainability and energy efficiency. The program offers financial assistance, resources, and expert guidance to companies working on impactful energy projects.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Energy Innovation: What are the most promising new technologies for improving energy efficiency in South Africa?
Sustainability: How can innovative energy solutions contribute to long-term sustainability?
Implementation: What strategies can be employed to successfully implement new energy technologies?
🔗 Funding for Energy Technologies in South Africa
💡 Ecobank Fintech Challenge
📝 The Ecobank Fintech Challenge Africa invites fintech startups to showcase their innovative solutions. The program aims to foster innovation in banking and financial services across Africa by providing financial support, mentorship, and access to Ecobank's ecosystem. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to scale their solutions and contribute to the digital transformation of the banking sector.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Fintech Innovation: How can fintech startups revolutionize banking and financial services in Africa?
Digital Transformation: What are the key challenges and opportunities in the digital transformation of the banking sector?
Scalability: How can fintech solutions be scaled effectively across diverse markets in Africa?
🔗 Ecobank Fintech Challenge Africa
🌾 Urban Township Agriculture Technologies - South Africa
📝 This call for applications invites innovative projects focused on urban township agriculture technologies in South Africa. The program aims to support projects that enhance food security, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and improve the livelihoods of urban communities. Funding, resources, and expert guidance are provided to help implement impactful agricultural solutions.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Urban Agriculture: How can urban agriculture technologies improve food security in townships?
Sustainable Practices: What sustainable agricultural practices are most effective in urban settings?
Community Impact: How can these technologies improve the livelihoods of urban communities?