Funding Friday
11 new innovation funding postings!
Happy Friday,
I hope you’re having a good week and finding moments of joy wherever you are.
This week’s newsletter covers inclusive urban planning to grassroots climate resilience, gender equity, and community-led recovery. If you’re looking to power new research, champion local voices, or drive structural change, I hope these opportunities bring you new funding!
Have a great weekend!
Jesse
Global
🏙️ Building Inclusive Urban Futures
📝 The Resilient and Inclusive Cities Hub, hosted by the Global Disability Fund, has launched a call for small-scale innovation solutions aimed at creating inclusive and sustainable cities. This initiative seeks to support projects that enhance urban resilience and inclusivity. Eligible organizations include INGOs, OPDs, Development Banks, UN Agencies, and academic institutions with demonstrable experience in inclusive and resilient urban development.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Urban Inclusivity: How can urban planning and development be reimagined to prioritize the inclusion of persons with disabilities?
Innovative Solutions: What novel approaches can address the challenges of urban resilience in the face of climate change and social inequalities?
Collaborative Efforts: In what ways can multi-stakeholder collaborations enhance the effectiveness of urban development projects?
🔗 Building Inclusive Urban Futures: Resilient and Inclusive Cities Hub Small Scale Grants
🌿 Advancing Climate Solutions
📝 Scotiabank is inviting applications for its Climate Action Research Fund 2025, aiming to support research initiatives that facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy. The fund seeks proposals that offer innovative solutions to decarbonize key sectors, develop novel carbon sinks, and enhance climate-related data and policy frameworks.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Decarbonization Pathways: How can targeted research accelerate the decarbonization of specific industries or regions?
Innovative Financing: What new financial mechanisms can be developed to support large-scale climate initiatives?
Policy Development: In what ways can research inform and shape effective climate policies and regulations?
🔗 Advancing Climate Solutions: Scotiabank Climate Action Research Fund 2025
🔬 Advancing Research Careers
📝 The COFUND action provides funding for regional, national, and international programmes for training and career development through co-funding mechanisms. It spreads the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) best practices by promoting high standards and excellent working conditions. COFUND promotes sustainable training and international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral mobility.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Researcher Mobility: How can international mobility enhance the skills and career prospects of researchers?
Interdisciplinary Training: What are the benefits of interdisciplinary approaches in doctoral and postdoctoral programmes?
Co-funding Mechanisms: How do co-funding models contribute to the sustainability of research training programmes?
🔗 Advancing Research Careers: COFUND Grant Program
🌡️ Enhancing Energy Efficiency
📝 The European Commission has launched the "Supporting District Heating and Cooling Networks Program" to advance carbon neutrality and reduce EU dependence on fossil fuel imports. This initiative focuses on modernizing existing district heating and cooling systems and developing new networks that integrate renewable energy sources and waste heat. The program aims to provide technical support for preparing investment plans that align with the Energy Efficiency Directive's criteria for efficient district heating and cooling systems.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Integration of Renewable Energy: How can existing district heating systems be retrofitted to incorporate renewable energy sources effectively?
Community Engagement: What strategies can be employed to ensure community buy-in and participation in transitioning to efficient district heating and cooling systems?
Financial Planning: What innovative financing models can support the development and modernization of district heating and cooling networks?
🔗 Enhancing Energy Efficiency: Supporting District Heating and Cooling Networks Program
Asia Pacific
🌱 In-Country Micro Projects Scheme- Nepal & Maldives
📝 Irish Aid, through its In-Country Micro Projects Scheme (ICMPS), is inviting applications from local non-governmental organizations in Nepal and the Maldives. Administered by the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, this scheme provides direct funding for small-scale development initiatives that address the root causes of poverty and injustice.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Community Empowerment: How can small-scale funding initiatives like ICMPS strengthen the voice of local communities to influence policy decisions that impact them?
Sustainable Development: What strategies can local NGOs employ to ensure the sustainability of projects aimed at improving access to essential services?
Gender Equality: In what ways can targeted micro-projects promote women's empowerment and gender equality in Nepal and the Maldives?
🔗 Empowering Communities: In-Country Micro Projects Scheme in Nepal and Maldives
🌐 Small Grant Program in Earthquake-Struck Myanmar
📝 The Southeast Asia Junction (SEA Junction), with support from the CMB Foundation, has launched the fifth round of its small grant program titled "Staying Resilient Amidst Multiple Crises in Earthquake-Struck Myanmar." This initiative aims to fund efforts that respond to and recover from the earthquake by building social capital, strengthening community resilience, improving living and health conditions of local communities, and enhancing their capacity to cope with the current situation and its longer-term socio-economic and health impacts.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Community-Led Recovery: How can empowering local groups in disaster-affected areas lead to more effective and sustainable recovery efforts?
Equity in Disaster Response: What strategies can ensure that marginalized communities receive equitable support during disaster recovery?
Long-Term Resilience: In what ways can small grants contribute to building long-term resilience in communities facing multiple crises?
🔗 Rebuilding Resilience: Small Grant Program in Earthquake-Struck Myanmar
🌸 BABAE Project - Philippines
📝 The BABAE Project (Protection and Empowerment of Women for Addressing Women's Health Needs and Responding to Gender-Based Violence) aims to promote gender equality and resilience among communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Implemented by UNFPA Philippines, the project strengthens critical systems and actors at national and subnational levels to enhance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, and governance mechanisms. Through a multi-sectoral approach, the BABAE Project works to improve access to women's health services and support mechanisms for GBV survivors.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Community Resilience: How can multi-sectoral approaches enhance community resilience?
Gender Equality: What strategies can be employed to promote gender equality and empower women in conservative or conflict-affected areas?
Health Access: In what ways can access to sexual and reproductive health services be improved in remote or underserved communities?
🔗 Empowering Women: BABAE Project in the Philippines
🌏 Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – ASEAN
📝 The Mission of Canada to ASEAN is pleased to launch its annual call for proposals for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). The CFLI is a program designed to support small-scale, high-impact projects in developing countries, which align with Global Affairs Canada’s thematic priority areas for engagement. The program is directed at projects conceived and designed predominantly by local partners.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Inclusive Governance: How can local initiatives promote democracy, human rights, and women's political participation within ASEAN communities?
Environmental Action: What innovative approaches can be employed to address climate change adaptation and mitigation at the community level?
Peace and Security: In what ways can grassroots projects contribute to conflict prevention and building peace in the region?
🔗 Strengthening Communities: Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – ASEAN (2025)
Africa
🌱 Ukusekela Small Project and Support Fund (SPSF) Program
📝 The Small Project and Support Fund (SPSF) is a project funded by Bread for the World (BfdW) to support small local initiatives comprising self-help groups, community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), or smaller non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working within their communities to improve the lives of the marginalized.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Community Empowerment: How can grassroots initiatives effectively address gender inequalities and drive female empowerment in their communities?
Capacity Building: What strategies can small organizations employ to build sustainable services for vulnerable populations?
Human Rights Restoration: In what ways can ad-hoc activities support the restoration of human rights in marginalized communities?
🔗 Ukusekela Small Project and Support Fund (SPSF) Program
🌾 Empowering Women and Youth: AGCOM 2 Program in Malawi
📝 The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is implementing the Agricultural Commercialization (AGCOM 2) Program with a grant from the World Bank amounting to US$265 million and additional financing from a Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) funded by the EU, Ireland, Norway, and Flanders. This initiative aims to increase the resilience of food systems and the country's preparedness for food insecurity in program areas. AGCOM 2 is part of the Food Systems Resilience Program, a regional program being implemented in four countries: Somalia, Kenya, Comoros, and Malawi, including the African Union.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Inclusive Agricultural Development: How can targeted support for women-only and youth-only producer organizations transform agricultural value chains in Malawi?
Productive Alliances: What are the potential benefits and challenges of implementing high-impact productive alliances between producer organizations and commercial off-takers?
Sustainable Food Systems: In what ways can programs like AGCOM 2 contribute to building resilient and sustainable food systems in the face of climate change and economic uncertainties?
🔗 Empowering Women and Youth: AGCOM 2 Program in Malawi
🌍 Empowering Local Communities: Canada Fund for Local Initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo
📝 The Embassy of Canada to the Democratic Republic of Congo is pleased to launch its annual call for proposals for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). The CFLI is a program designed to support small-scale, high-impact projects which align with Global Affairs Canada’s thematic priority areas for engagement. The program is directed at projects conceived and designed predominantly by local partners. Projects are selected and approved by the Canadian Embassy. The CFLI also serves to support positive bilateral relations between Canada and recipient countries and their civil societies, by deepening contacts and supporting local endeavors.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Community-Led Development: How can empowering local organizations in the DRC lead to more sustainable and impactful development outcomes?
Gender Equality Initiatives: What innovative approaches can be employed to promote gender equality and women's empowerment in local communities?
Environmental Sustainability: In what ways can small-scale projects contribute to environmental conservation and climate change mitigation in the DRC?
🔗 Empowering Local Communities: Canada Fund for Local Initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo