This page highlights major international funding opportunities supporting climate action, sustainable development, gender equality, food security, and research and innovation. These calls are suitable for NGOs, research institutions, government bodies, and multi-stakeholder consortia working at national, regional, and international levels. The funding opportunities are:
- Green Economy Initiatives – Southern Africa
- EU–AU LEAP-SE Research and Innovation Call – Sustainable Energy
- Elsie Initiative Fund – 4th Programming Round
- Thriving Farmers, Resilient Ecosystems, Empowered Communities
- IKI International Climate Initiative – Large Grants
- HealthPro2 – Food Security for Vulnerable Populations
1. Green Economy Initiatives – Southern Africa
Donor: Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Funding Range: €300,000 – €950,000 (minimum 10% co-financing required)
Geographic Focus: Southern Africa (SADC Member States)
Description
This call supports initiatives that promote inclusive green economy transitions in Southern Africa. Funded projects are expected to pilot or scale sustainable solutions that contribute to circular economy development, climate resilience, green jobs, and environmentally sustainable value chains at regional or cross-border level.
Key Details
- Focus on innovation, sustainability, and regional cooperation
- Strong emphasis on environmental, social, and economic co-benefits
- Projects should demonstrate scalability and policy relevance
Deadline
31 March 2026
How to Apply
Click here to apply.
Applications must be submitted through the SADC online application system. Applicants must follow the official Instructions to Applicants for the 3rd Call.
Requirements
- Eligible organizations include NGOs, civil society organizations, research institutions, and public entities based in SADC countries
- Proven experience in green economy, sustainability, or regional development
- Ability to provide at least 10% co-financing
- Compliance with SADC procurement and financial management rules
Why Apply
This call is well suited for organizations seeking to scale green economy solutions with strong regional impact and policy alignment in Southern Africa.
Other Important Information
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review eligibility rules, partnership requirements, and evaluation criteria in the official guidelines.
2. EU–AU LEAP-SE Research and Innovation Call – Sustainable Energy
Funding: Up to €1,500,000 per project
Geographic Scope: Europe and Africa (multi-country consortia)
Description
The LEAP-SE (Long-Term EU–Africa Partnership on Sustainable Energy) call supports joint research and innovation projects that advance sustainable energy access, energy transition, and climate-compatible development through EU–AU collaboration.
Key Details
- Focus areas include renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy systems, and energy access
- Projects must be collaborative and transnational
- Strong emphasis on applied research and innovation with development impact
Deadline
5 February 2026
How to Apply
Click here to apply.
Applications must be submitted in accordance with LEAP-SE Call 2026 guidelines via participating national funding agencies and the LEAP-SE platform.
Requirements
- Consortia must include partners from eligible European and African countries
- Typically includes universities, research institutions, and innovation actors
- Compliance with national eligibility rules of participating countries
Why Apply
This call is ideal for institutions seeking to build long-term EU–Africa research partnerships and deliver impactful sustainable energy solutions.
Other Important Information
Funding modalities and eligibility conditions vary by country; applicants must consult national contact points.
3. Elsie Initiative Fund – 4th Programming Round
Donor: UN Women
Funding Range: USD 100,000 – USD 1,500,000
Scope: Global
Description
The Elsie Initiative Fund supports institutional reforms that increase women’s meaningful participation in peace operations. The fund targets structural, policy, and operational barriers within security institutions and peacekeeping contexts.
Key Details
- Focus on gender-responsive institutional change
- Supports both national and international actors
- Emphasis on evidence-based and sustainable reforms
Deadline
31 January 2026
How to Apply
Click here to apply.
Applications must be submitted through the official Elsie Initiative Fund application process, following published guidance.
Requirements
- Eligible applicants include governments, international organizations, and civil society organizations
- Demonstrated expertise in gender equality, peace, and security
- Strong monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework required
Why Apply
This fund is highly relevant for organizations working at the intersection of gender, governance, security sector reform, and peace operations.
Other Important Information
Only complete applications aligned with the Elsie Fund’s theory of change will be considered.
4. Thriving Farmers, Resilient Ecosystems, Empowered Communities
Donor: Common Fund for Commodities (CFC)
Funding: From USD 1,100,000 and above
Scope: Commodity-dependent developing countries
Description
This call supports projects that strengthen agricultural value chains, improve farmer livelihoods, and promote environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient production systems.
Key Details
- Focus on smallholder farmers and market systems
- Emphasis on income diversification, resilience, and sustainability
- Projects must demonstrate commercial and development impact
Deadline
1 April 2026
How to Apply
Click here to apply.
Concept notes and proposals must be submitted following CFC’s official Call for Proposals process.
Requirements
- Eligible applicants include producer organizations, cooperatives, SMEs, NGOs, and public-private partnerships
- Strong value chain and market orientation required
- Clear development impact and financial sustainability
Why Apply
This opportunity is particularly strong for organizations working in agriculture, rural development, climate-smart livelihoods, and inclusive market systems.
Other Important Information
CFC prioritizes projects with strong scalability, innovation, and impact on smallholder farmers.
5. IKI International Climate Initiative – Large Grants
Funding Range: €12 million – €20 million
Donor: German Federal Government (IKI)
Description
The IKI Large Grants window supports ambitious, large-scale climate and biodiversity projects that contribute to mitigation, adaptation, and protection of ecosystems in developing and emerging economies.
Key Details
- Focus on transformational impact and policy relevance
- Supports climate mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity
- Strong emphasis on international cooperation and sustainability
Deadline
17 February 2026
How to Apply
Click here to apply.
Applications must be submitted in line with the IKI Large Grants call documentation and priorities.
Requirements
- Suitable for large NGOs, international organizations, research consortia, and government-led partnerships
- Demonstrated financial and operational capacity
- Strong climate rationale and measurable outcomes
Why Apply
This call offers a rare opportunity for large-scale, long-term climate investments with significant funding volume.
Other Important Information
Applicants should carefully review thematic and country priorities before applying.
6. HealthPro2 – Food Security for Vulnerable Populations
Donor: Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)
Funding: €4,300,000
Scope: Priority partner countries
Description
HealthPro2 focuses on improving food security, nutrition, and resilience for vulnerable populations, particularly within fragile and humanitarian–development nexus contexts.
Key Details
- Emphasis on nutrition-sensitive food systems
- Targets vulnerable households and communities
- Integrates health, resilience, and food security approaches
Deadline
29 December 2025
How to Apply
Click here to apply.
Applications must be submitted according to the HealthPro2 grant guidelines issued by AICS.
Requirements
- Eligible applicants include NGOs and development organizations with relevant field experience
- Strong capacity in food security, nutrition, or resilience programming
- Robust monitoring and accountability mechanisms
Why Apply
This call is highly aligned with organizations working on food systems, nutrition, and vulnerable populations in complex settings.
Other Important Information
Priority may be given to proposals demonstrating strong local partnerships and sustainability.
These funding opportunities offer significant resources for organizations working on green economy transitions, sustainable energy, gender equality in peace and security, climate action, agricultural development, and food security. Deadlines range from December 2025 to April 2026, making early preparation essential. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the official guidelines linked to each call before applying.
For more opportunities, click here.
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