Category Archives: International

Your Big Year: Global Citizens Challenge

The Global Citizens Challenge from Your Big Year is an opportunity for youth aged 15-20 to engage with other young leaders from around the world. Up to 200 participants will dedicate approximately 10 hours to completing the virtual challenge activities.

Applications for the February 6-9, 2025 Challenge are due by January 15, 2025. Individuals may apply directly or educators, program leaders, organizations and parents can nominate a School or Classroom. There is no cost to participate, but participants must provide their own internet connected device.

Program Activities

Over the course of the program, youth will engage in:

  • Penpal Sessions – video calls to engage with other participants
  • Interactive Activities & Virtual Passports – team based projects
  • Industry Speakers – presentations and panel discussions from travel and tourism industry professionals
  • International Action Hub – brainstorming and collaborative work

Program Values

Applications will be evaluated according to their alignment with Your Big Year values. They are seeking participating who:

  • Are passionate about making a change
  • Are eager to learn about different cultures from peers with diverse backgrounds
  • Have a desire to meet and connect with a variety of people
  • Wish to grow as young professionals through an online experience
  • Aim to grow personally, gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and their community
  • Seek to make a meaningful impact in their life and the world

Your Big Year Fellowship

Following the Challenge, participants will have access to the 3 month, self-paced Your Big Year Fellowship. Through the curriculum, youth will learn confidence, innovative thinking, cultural competency, self-reliance, and resiliency, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The program also involves peer collaboration, coaching, and industry mentorship.

Free Rivers Fund Grants

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The Free Rivers Fund supports anyone, anywhere fighting to keep rivers flowing free. Their grant program provides funding for efforts to undam rivers or to protect waterways from development.

Award amounts vary, but are generally €1,000 – €2,000 (US$1,078.66 – $2,157.32.) Applications are due by January 10, 2025.

Eligibility

Anyone is welcome to apply for a FRF grant, including individuals. The only requirement is that you have a clear plan for how the funding will be used to keep rivers free.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for costs such as:

  • Legal fees
  • Equipment for research
  • Construction
  • Photography
  • Film and art projects
  • Protests

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • Clean ups
  • General research projects
  • General renaturalization or reforestation projects

Payment

FRF’s legal structure does not allow them to disburse money directly to grantees. They may either:

  • Have invoices issued in Free Rivers Fund’s name
  • Submit receipts for reimbursement

OPEC Fund for International Development

The OPEC Fund for International Development support projects in non-member countries that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Applications are accepted on a continual basis for Country-Specific Activities, Global or Regional Development Initiatives, and Emergency Aid. As a general rule, requests should not exceed 50% of a project’s budget.

The OPEC Fund is not affiliated with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Nongovernmental organizations
  • Government entities
  • Private sector entities
  • Research institutes
  • UN agencies

Activities must take place in one or more developing country that is not an OPEC Fund member. Special consideration will be given to Least Developed Countries.

Focus Areas

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The Fund’s primary funding areas are:

  • Agriculture
  • Health
  • Energy
  • Finance
  • Transportation
  • Water and sanitation

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for activities such as:

  • Institutional capacity building and technical assistance
  • Knowledge production and dissemination
  • Advocacy/outreach
  • Thematic studies
  • Private sector development initiatives
  • Consulting services
  • Workshops and seminars
  • Training
  • Equipment, excluding vehicles
  • Operation costs

Applications Requirements

Photo by Denis Ngai: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-elderly-people-sitting-on-chairs-in-yard-of-hospital-in-poor-african-village-4483669/

Among other elements, applications must include:

  • Proof of valid legal registration
  • Proof of a certificate to do business in the target country or countries
  • A letter of approval from a government entity (For NGOs, excluding Development Finance Institutions and UN agencies)
  • A letter of support/recommendation from a sponsor or donor (First time applicants only)

World Female Ranger Grant

The World Female Ranger Grant from How Many Elephants supports direct-action, women-focused conservation initiatives.

Applications for up to £2,000 are accepted on a continual basis.

Eligibility

This grant is open to all-female and mixed-gender wildlife ranger teams from anywhere in the world who are empowering women and indigenous communities to protect wildlife and their habitats.

Areas of Interest

Grantmaking areas include:

  • Education
  • Research
  • Training
  • Direct-action conservation
  • Anti-poaching initiatives
  • Community-outreach projects

Business & Human Rights Accelerator

The Business & Human Rights Accelerator is a six month program to assist businesses participating in the UN Global Compact as they establish a human rights due diligence process.

Participants may join the program through one of 50 In-Country Tracks which are conducted in the local language and time zone, a Regional Track in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, or a Global Track conducted in English. Applications are due by December 20, 2024 and the program will start in February 2025.

Eligibility

Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to participate in the Accelerator. To be eligible, they must be:

  • Engaged with a Global Compact Country Network or willing to join
  • Willing to identify human rights risks and impacts within their business operations
  • Committed to developing an Action Plan to address the human rights risks identified
  • Able to appoint two representatives to attend sessions and participate in events
  • Able to appoint an executive-level representative to provide support and participate in high-level events
  • Committed to completing the program and incorporating what they learn into their strategies and operations

Program Benefits

Accelerator participants will learn how to:

School Enterprise Challenge

The School Enterprise Challenge is an international entrepreneurship program for primary and secondary schools. Participants are guided through the process of creating a school-based business, teaching them valuable skills and establishing a means to raise funds for other school programs.

Registration is open and flexible. Schools may start the program at any time and run it as a part of the curriculum or as an extracurricular activity. Teams will also have the chance to enter competitions throughout the year for cash prizes.

Eligibility

This program is open to primary and secondary schools. The application must be submitted by a teacher or Head Teacher/Principal.

Program Steps

Step One

During Step One, teams complete the provided worksheets to assess available resources and brainstorm business ideas. The chosen idea should address a community need and be feasible based on the resources available. Finally, they will decide how the profits from their business will be spent.

Step Two

In Step Two, teams create a business plan. First, they do market research to learn what potential customers want from the service or product the business will provide. From this information, they then create a marketing plan to promote the business.

During this step, teams will also create a budget and an operational plan to designate roles and responsibilities. After it is completed, a business expert will look at and provide feedback on the plan.

Step Three

In Step Three, teams launch their business and begin making their product or providing their service. As they gain on-the-job experience and interact directly with customers, adjustments can and should be made.

Teams will be expected to submit an Annual Report which reflects on the challenges they faced and what they learned. Financial reports must also be included, so it’s essential to maintain careful bookkeeping from the start of the business.

Competitions

Throughout their participation, teams will have the chance to participate in competitions for monetary prizes. Mini-competitions occur regularly and every year there are awards for Best Business Idea, Best Business Plan, and Best Business Implementation.

Upcoming competition deadlines:

  • Business Idea – October 22, 2024
  • Business Plan – December 3, 2024
  • School Business Implemented – December 3, 2024 and March 11, 2025

Addax & Oryx Foundation

The Addax & Oryx Foundation is a Swiss-based nonprofit that supports projects to help communities in Africa and the Middle East escape from poverty in a sustainable way. Their efforts are focused on four core areas: Health, Education, Community Development, and the Environment.

Applications for assistance are accepted on a continual basis and reviewed 3-4 times per year. Submitted projects should have a clear beginning and end.

Eligibility

This grant is open to registered nonprofit, nongovernment organizations:

  • With experience and competence in the proposed area of work
  • With a demonstrated ability to effectively use funds
  • Who are working to eradicate the root causes of poverty in Africa and the Middle East
  • Who focus on at least one of the four core areas*
  • Who create a measurable impact
  • Who establish a sustainable operation through empowerment and skill building

*Preference is given to projects that address two or more core areas.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • Ongoing programs
  • Religious or faith-based projects, programs, or organizations
  • Research as the project’s sole purpose
  • Professional conventions, conferences, or seminars
  • Travel expenses only
  • Administrative and operating expenses only

Turtle Conservation Fund

The Turtle Conservation Fund supports conservation and research projects on endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for full scale projects. Seed grants under $1,000 are also available for pilot projects or young conservationists from developing nations.

Applications are due by June 1st or December 1st and should be sent to DoubleHQ@aol.com, RhodinCRF@aol.com, and vivianpaez1@gmail.com.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to research organizations and individuals affiliated with a research institution.

Species

Projects may focus on tortoise and freshwater turtle species who:

Funding Limitations

Grant funds may be used for direct research and conservation expenses only. Indirect and overhead costs are not permitted.

Publishing

Grantees must contract with either Re: wild or the Chelonian Research Foundation to produce the proposed work. They are also encouraged to publish partial or full results in Chelonian Conservation and Biology.

Global Fund for Community Foundations: Grants to Foster Community Philanthropy

The Global Fund for Community Foundations is a virtual organization based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since 2006, they have been building networks and funding organizations to shift power to people-led development.

Their grants provide financial support to community-level philanthropic organizations. Concept notes may be submitted at any time in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, or Russian. Full applications for grants ranging from $7,000 – $20,000 are by invitation only.

Eligibility

Location

This grant is open to organizations in:

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • The Middle East
  • Central and Eastern Europe
  • Latin America and the Caribbean

Applicant

This grant is open to local-level philanthropic organizations such as:

  • Community foundations
  • Women’s funds
  • Environmental funds
  • Grassroots grantmakers

Allowable Activities

Grant funds may be used for activities including, but not limited to:

  • Feasibility studies to assess local giving trends, opportunities, and barriers
  • Piloting new strategies
  • Documenting practices and quantifying outcomes to bolster evidence for community philanthropic efforts

The Earth Prize

The Earth Prize is a global student competition for projects that address environmental issues. Seven regional winners from Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, and Central and South America will each receive $12,500 and 1 on 1 mentoring with Earth Prize Mentors. Three Mentors, as voted on by participants, and Three Educators of the Year will each receive $2,500.

Registration is open through November 30, 2024 and idea submissions are due by January 31, 2025. Students, teachers, and team leaders must register separately. Teachers and team leaders will create teams through the platform.

Eligibility

This competition is open to students aged 13-19 from anywhere in the world. Students may enter individually or as a team of up to 5 members.

Adult Supervisors and Team Leaders must be teachers or school administrators, unless the students are homeschooled.

Mentors must be enrolled at an institution of higher education.

Timeline

Registration: September 1 – November 30, 2024

After registering, participants will have access to online mentoring and resources to help them put together their application.

Earth Prize Scholars: February 14 – 28, 2025

All submissions that receive an outstanding score based on the evaluation criteria will be recognized as Earth Prize Scholars. Final submissions, including a Pitch Video, from Scholars will be due February 28th.

Regional Winners: March 14 – April 7, 2025

Seven Regional Winners will be chosen to participate in a second round of mentoring and present their project to the Adjudicating Panel with a Live Q & A session. The winners will also be announced on the Earth Prize website and social media.

Public Voting: April 7 – 22, 2025

Public voting will be held to determine the Global Winner, which will be announced during the Earth Prize Awards Ceremony on April 22nd. Three Mentors of the Year and Three Educators of the Year will also be announced.