;)
October opportunities for social enterprise
Explore the latest opportunities for changemakers and entrepreneurs in fellowships, funding and accelerators — and be sure to apply before the deadlines.
Echoing Green Fellowship
Deadline: 8 October 2025
Echoing Green is inviting bold, purpose-driven social entrepreneurs from around the world to apply for its fellowship programme. This fellowship is geared towards early-stage enterprises leading the way in tackling the most existential challenges of our day. Selected Echoing Green Fellows receive a USD 100,000 stipend (distributed over 18 months), along with capacity-building programme, expert support and access to a lifelong community of fellow changemakers.
SEWF25 Digital Bursaries
Deadline: 15 October 2025 (extended)
The Social Enterprise World Forum 2025 is offering digital bursaries that provide complimentary Digital Passes to participate in SEWF25 online. Supported by SEWF partners, the bursaries are available in three categories: Youth (for social entrepreneurs under 30), Financial Hardship and Low-Income or Conflict-Affected Countries. Recipients gain full virtual access to SEWF25, including live hybrid sessions, interactive Q&As, networking opportunities and exclusive OnDemand content. This is an opportunity to connect with changemakers from around the world, share your work and build global relationships.
Commonwealth Foundation Annual Grants
Deadline: 23 October 2025
Up to GBP 60,000 for civil society organisations in Commonwealth member states to strengthen constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers. Projects may run for up to two years and must align with at least one priority theme: health justice, freedom of expression or climate justice. Applicants must be registered non-profits with at least three years of demonstrable experience working on participatory governance and advocacy within the area/theme(s) of the proposed project, an average annual income under GBP 2.5 million over the past two years. Proposals must integrate gender considerations. Projects must begin between August–September 2026.
Net Impact Community Innovation Challenge
Deadline: 26 October 2025
Designed for student teams (2-5 members), this challenge asks participants to design a social impact programme using Cisco’s products and services to address community needs and drive business value. Up to five finalist teams will receive mentoring from subject‑matter experts, refine their proposals and pitch at a virtual showcase. Prizes include USD 10,000 for first place, USD 5,000 for second and USD 2,500 for third, plus networking with senior Cisco executives. Open globally to undergraduate and graduate students.
Acumen India Fellowship 2026
Deadline: 30 October 2025
This 6‑month fellowship equips Indian social entrepreneurs and changemakers with leadership skills to tackle poverty. Fellows join a diverse cohort for in‑person and virtual seminars, receive mentoring, gain access to moral‑leadership frameworks and join the global Acumen alumni network. Candidates must be committed to social impact and leading an organisation addressing systemic challenges. There is no tuition fee; fellows cover travel to in‑person seminars.
Marc Impact Programme (MARC)
Deadline: 31 October 2025
An investment-readiness accelerator for Austrian ventures with strong social or environmental missions. Over three months, each selected venture is matched with a dedicated coaching team to work through gaps in financials, strategy and business models. Benefits include tailored expert support, peer learning, investor matchmaking across Europe and Impact Hub Vienna membership. The programme ends with a pitch event where one enterprise is named “Best of MARC” and awarded a cash prize, plus visibility through Erste Group and ERSTE Foundation. Registered legal entities based in Austria with revenue or a clear go-to-market plan, a capable team and demonstrable social or environmental impact are eligible to apply.
Green Leap Challenge 2025
Deadline: 31 October 2025
Run by Food & Bio Cluster Denmark, this idea competition invites entrepreneurs and researchers with no commercial sales to submit a novel business idea in the bio-based economy, covering biotechnology-based food, circular agrifood value chains and sustainable land and ocean use. Three winners each receive DKK 50,000, guidance on their business plan, access to network contact and input to support securing further funding. Finalists will be announced on 24 November, an online workshop on 1 December and live pitches at the awards event in Copenhagen on 10 December 2025.
British Council Innovation for African Universities (IAU) – Ecosystem Partner
Deadline: 31 October 2025
The British Council seeks a consortium of a UK institution and an African institution to design and deliver a capacity‑strengthening programme mentoring for 16 university student teams from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. These selected teams are working on projects in digital enterprises, green enterprises and social enterprises. One grant of up to GBP 60,000 will fund delivery of the programme. Eligible lead partners include universities, incubators and social‑enterprise networks; associated partners may include NGOs or mission‑driven businesses.
Miller Center “Accompanying Changemakers” Accelerator
Deadline: 1 November 2025
Offered by Santa Clara University’s Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, this hybrid accelerator supports mission-driven social enterprises focused on women’s economic empowerment and climate resilience. The programme is a six-month experience, including 180 hours of mentorship, investment-readiness coaching and connections to impact investors. Final cohort selections will be announced by 19 November 2025. The programme is open worldwide to legally registered social enterprises that are operational (with at least USD 50,000 in annual revenue) and are looking to scale a proven solution.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you want to receive social enterprise opportunities directly in your mailbox?
Sign up for our newsletter: Click here
Also, read the latest interviews with social enterprise leaders to see how they are driving change worldwide: Click here
👉“When you invest in those the world has written off, they build not just jobs but futures.” – an interview with Abdul R. Shiil
👉 “Social procurement can turn everyday commerce into impact”- an interview with James Okina
👉 “Our model is about turning passive readers into active changemakers” — an interview Sunny Yi Han Lin
