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November opportunities for social enterprise
Explore the latest opportunities for changemakers and be sure to apply before the deadlines.
UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women and Girls – Call for Proposals 2025
Deadline: 19 November 2025
The UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women and Girls has opened its 2025 Call for Proposals under the theme “Resourcing Resilience – Investing in Civil Society Leadership to End Violence Against Women and Girls.” This annual grant supports civil society and feminist organisations working to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Four-year grants between USD 150,000 and 800,000 are available for initiatives that strengthen organisational resilience and address violence against marginalised women and girls. Projects must align with at least one outcome area: improving access to quality multisectoral services, changing behaviours and attitudes to prevent violence or strengthening national laws and accountability systems. Applications are accepted in English, French and Spanish and live grant-writing sessions are available in multiple languages.
Common Ground Award
Deadline: 21 November 2025
The Common Ground Award supports voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in England that bring people together from different backgrounds to strengthen social connections and community cohesion. Funding can be used for capital costs such as renovating or constructing facilities, or purchasing equipment to improve service delivery. Grants of up to GBP 10,000 are available, in exceptional cases of up to GBP 50,000.
British Council Climate Skills Global Collaboration Grants
Deadline: 1 December 2025
The British Council invites higher education institutions, TVET institutions, training providers and NGOs to apply for the Climate Skills Global Collaboration Grants. Each partnership can receive up to GBP 85,000 to create new or strengthen existing collaborations between the UK and Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico or Vietnam. The grants support joint projects that give young people aged 18 to 30 practical experience in green work or entrepreneurship. Partners work together to design and deliver hands-on training, knowledge exchange and opportunities that prepare youth for sustainable careers. Each partnership must include one UK organisation and one partner country organisation. Projects run for 9.5 months from mid-January to the end of October 2026 and are part of the wider Climate Skills Programme supported by HSBC.
Global Solvers Accelerator 2026
Deadline: 1 December 2025
An eight-month peer-learning programme for young social innovators driving change toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each year, a carefully selected cohort of 20 emerging social impact leaders (ages 20–35) from across the world collaborate to refine and scale their community projects while developing their leadership capacity and transformative potential. The programme combines virtual training with a fully funded, week-long Global Solvers Co-Lab in Accra, Ghana, where participants co-create strategies, share insights and strengthen partnerships for lasting impact. Participants receive tailored coaching, peer exchange, expert mentorship and access to a lifelong network of 650+ Melton Foundation Fellows. Ideal candidates are SDG practitioners actively leading or co-leading a social impact initiative. The Accelerator supports projects that tackle social, environmental or economic challenges through innovation, inclusion and collaboration.
UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge
Deadline: 8 December 2025
A global call to empower and accelerate start-ups and scaleups with a minimum viable product (MVP) or ready for implementation, delivering sustainable, inclusive and green solutions for social impact. Applicants must offer bold, tech-driven and people-focused solutions across three categories: community based tourism (empowering local participation and cultural preservation), inclusivity and accessibility (designing travel for people with disabilities, seniors and those with access needs) and green projects (reducing the environmental footprint of tourism and advancing circular economy models). Finalists will join the UN Tourism Innovation Network, gain access to global investors and receive up to six full scholarships funded by the Sommet Education Foundation to study hospitality and hotel management at Les Roches Global Hospitality Education in Spain. They will also pitch at the UN Tourism Demo Day and receive tailored mentorship and exposure through UN Tourism and Plug and Play.
United Nations Young Professionals Programme (YPP) 2026
Deadline: 14 December 2025
The UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a global recruitment initiative that opens the door for highly qualified young professionals from underrepresented and unrepresented countries to begin a career at the United Nations Secretariat. This fully funded entry route selects candidates through a competitive examination process followed by structured professional development and rotational assignments within the UN system. Successful candidates are offered a fixed-term position at the P-1 or P-2 level, gaining international experience in areas such as human rights, political affairs, economic development, social policy and communication. Applicants must hold a first-level university degree, be 32 years or younger by 31 December 2025 and have fluency in either English or French. Eligible nationalities vary each year. The 2026 cycle continues the UN’s commitment to global diversity and equitable representation within the Secretariat.
