Unlocking social enterprise opportunities- February 2024

Social enterprise opportunities you don’t want to miss.

Embarking on a social enterprise journey can be challenging, from securing financing to navigating a complex landscape of information and opportunities. At SEWF, we acknowledge these hurdles and are dedicated to smoothing your path. Here are some notable opportunities open for application until the end of the month. Let’s navigate this landscape together and unlock the potential for positive impact.

For more social enterprise knowledge, check out our News section and Video Library.

1. Kanthari Impact Leadership Course (India)

Deadline: 28/02/2024

Are you aspiring to launch an impactful organisation or looking to enhance your skills in running one? The Kanthari Impact Leadership Course in India is the ideal platform for social entrepreneurs. This twelve-month scholarship-based programme is crafted to equip participants with essential skills to efficiently manage CSOs/NGOs, social enterprises, or ventures. Open to applicants over 22 years old, Kanthari welcomes individuals who have overcome significant life challenges and possess a strong passion to make the world a better place.

2. Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (Africa)

Deadline: 01/03/2024

Calling all African entrepreneurs! The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme is currently open for applications. This programme, with a 10-year commitment of $100 million, aims to identify, train, mentor and fund 10,000 young African entrepreneurs. Whether you have a startup idea or an existing business under 3 years old, this programme offers business training, mentoring, a non-refundable $5,000 seed capital and global networking opportunities. Eligible applicants must be citizens or legal residents of any of the 54 African countries.

3. Schwab Foundation Social Innovation Awards 2025 (Worldwide)

Deadline: 04/03/2024

The Schwab Foundation’s Social Innovation Awards are on the lookout for social change leaders worldwide. With four award categories, including the newly added Collective Social Innovation Award, this initiative seeks initiatives that emphasise vulnerable populations and their ecosystems. Nominations are sourced from a global network of social innovation experts and winners must demonstrate a unique approach, established impact, systemic thinking, environmental consciousness and diversity and inclusion.

4. Triggers, Casa do Impacto (Portugal)

Deadline: 11/02/2024

For those in Portugal, the Triggers programme is a call for acceleration, supporting teams with innovative solutions focused on environmental sustainability. Entrepreneurs and startups with ideas aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are encouraged to apply.

5. The 2024 Sankalp Africa Summit (Africa)

Event Dates: 28/02/2024 – 29/02/2024 

The Sankalp Africa Summit, scheduled for 28 and 29 February in Nairobi, Kenya, brings together entrepreneurs, delegates and speakers from over 41 countries. This summit aims to catalyse collaborations, explore sustainable development strategies and build relationships to address global challenges.

6. Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa (Africa)

Deadline: 08/02/2024

Applications are open for the Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa 2024. This initiative, backed by the Austrian Federal Chancellery, WFP Innovation Accelerator, Austrian Development Agency and Kofi Annan Foundation, supports digital solutions enhancing food security. Benefits include a virtual bootcamp, equity-free funding up to EUR 250,000, a 12-month Sprint Programme and a global network. Eligible ventures must be for-profit entities operating for at least two years, anchored in an African country and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, gender equality and environmental protection. Apply now to scale your impact.

7. FMN PRIZE FOR INNOVATION (Africa)

Deadline: 15/02/2024

The FMN Prize for Innovation in Nigeria is calling for innovative solutions contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Emphasising technology-powered solutions, the award seeks to address food security and improve nutrition, welcoming applications from social entrepreneurs across Africa.

8. The GSMA Innovation Fund for Humanitarian Challenges (Worldwide)

Deadline: 12/02/2024

The GSMA Innovation Fund for Humanitarian Challenges is open for applications! This fund supports projects leveraging mobile and digital technology to address humanitarian challenges in low and middle-income countries. For-profit small and growing enterprises can apply for grants ranging from £100,000 to £250,000 to scale their innovations over a 15 to 18-month period.

9. Equator Prize 2024 (Equator)

Deadline: 26/02/2024

The Equator Prize 2024 recognises outstanding nature-based solutions addressing climate challenges. Winners join a global network, receive USD 10,000 and participate in key events. Emphasizing climate action, adaptation and a just transition, the prize welcomes initiatives with three years of impactful work. Special consideration for youth and women-led projects.

10. Orange Corners Nigeria Incubation Programme (Nigeria)

Deadline: 18/02/2024

Empowered by the Kingdom of Netherlands and executed by FATE Foundation, the Orange Corners Nigeria Incubation Programme is open to participants ages 18-35 with a business concept. Participants enjoy enterprise management training, advisory services, funding for prototype development and valuable mentorship.

11. HSBC’s Emerging Board Leaders Fellowship (Worldwide but Arab and North African origin)

Deadline: 16/02/2024

Join the third cohort of the Emerging Board Leaders Fellowship, powered by HSBC! Are you a socially and environmentally conscious leader aspiring to excel in board directorship? Hone your skills, build confidence, and gain insights into ESG alignment and emerging technologies. Apply or nominate by 16 February 2024. Open to Arab and North African men and women aged 28-45 with proven leadership and expertise.

12. Leading African Women in Food Fellowship (LAWFF) (Africa)

Deadline: 18/02/2024

LAWFF is a transformative initiative empowering women leaders in African food and agriculture. Over six months, gain training, mentorship and a supportive community. Open to female disruptors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, chefs, and storytellers, aged 25-40, with three years of agri-food impact. Citizenship in an African country is a must.

13. Women for Zero Hunger (Women; African country of origin)

Deadline: 19/02/2024

Join the Women for Zero Hunger programme by Stop Hunger and Women In Africa to support associations fighting hunger in Africa. Three non-profit organizations will receive visibility, mentoring and €10,000 each.

14. EmpoWomen (Europe, Outermost regions and Associated countries)

Deadline: 08/03/2024

Funded by the European Commission, EmpoWomen is a 2-year programme that aims to empower women in the deep-tech sector. Join 25 selected women-led startups for a unique acceleration journey, receiving services, awards and up to €45,000 in equity-free funding per startup.

Do you have an event, opportunity or news that would be of interest to the global social enterprise community?  Fill in our short online form for consideration in our next newsletter, website and/or on social media.