iF Social Impact Prize 2026 for young Changemakers ( EUR 100,000 in prize money.)

Application Deadline: 20 May 2026 23:59 CET.

Applications are now open for the 2026 iF Social Impact Prize. The iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE supports projects that contribute to improving our society. If you work towards achieving one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, your project is eligible.

Every year iF Design donates EUR 100,000 to support the best projects submitted to the iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE. Your project should already be established and must be related to design (this is now one of the five evaluation criteria). You can apply with the same project a maximum of two times. Student concepts are not accepted.

Categories:

No poverty

Zero hunger

Goodhealth and well-being

Quality education

Gender equality

Clean water and sanitation

Affordable and clean energy

Decent work and economic growth

Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Reduced inequalities

Sustainable cities and communities

Responsible consumption and production

Climate action

Life below water

Life on land

Benefits

Social projects that are supported with the iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE benefit from this:

A share of EUR 100,000

Publication on our iF Design Website

They will be presented to a global design community, the design-interested public and the media.

The projects selected by the jury receive an individual winner certificate.

APPLY HERE

ChangemakerXchange MENA Programme 2026 for young Changemakers.

Application Deadline: March 29 2026.

Applications are now open for the 2026 ChangemakerXchange MENA Programme. The program support, connect and amplify the work of social entrepreneurs based in Egypt, Germany*, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Switzerland or Tunisia who address pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges in their communities, while strengthening the agency and skills of young people. Participants receive access to a global community, customised capacity building and seed funding for cross-border collaborations.

Requirements

This programme is for Changemakers aged 18-35 who permanently live and work in Egypt, Germany*, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Switzerland or Tunisia

The official programme runs from May 2026 to May 2027

The in-person Summit takes place in late September in Morocco 

ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES

Eastern Germany, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Switzerland, Tunisia

COST

Participants are responsible for covering the following costs:

Transportation to the city where the summit takes place; including local transport from the airport, train, or bus station to the designated meeting point.

Visa fees.

Travel insurance.

Any additional expenses if they choose to arrive earlier or stay later beyond the summit dates.

ChangemakerXchange will cover ALL OTHER COSTS associated with the summit and programme, such as: accommodation, catering, local transportation, room hire, equipment & material, facilitation & hosting compensation, programme manager compensation, carbon emissions offsetting derived from the local hosting, post-summit capacity-building programme and post-summit community engagement activities.

APPLY HERE

APPLY NoW: The WE (Women Entrepreneurs) Empower UN SDG Challenge 2026 for Women Social Entrepreneurs.

The WE Empower UN SDG Challenge is a global competition for women social entrepreneurs whose work advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and mobilizes communities toward a more sustainable, equitable world by 2030. It was launched at the UN General Assembly in 2018 by the UN Secretary-General, the President of the World Bank, and the Council of Women World Leaders, making it the first-of-its-kind global challenge of this nature.

Purpose & Impact

Recognizes women entrepreneurs who are innovating solutions that drive progress on the SDGs. 

Elevates their work on a global platform and showcases how women business leaders are responding to key global challenges like climate action, gender equality, economic growth, quality education, and community resilienc

Ignites awareness among stakeholders — including policymakers, investors, and other entrepreneurs — about the value women leaders bring toward sustainable development. 

What Awardees Receive

Selected women — typically five regional awardees representing different world regions — receive:

✔ Access to capacity-building training, executive coaching, and tailored workshops from leading global partners. 

✔ Visibility and credibility for their enterprises on an international stage. 

✔ Networking opportunities with global business, policy, and philanthropic leaders. 

✔ Participation in high-profile events during UN Global Goals Week, Climate Week NYC, and the United Nations General Assembly. 

✔ A dynamic pitch competition hosted by dignitaries such as fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg, where awardees can present their enterprise to a distinguished panel of judges and compete for grant funding (e.g., cash awards in past years). 

Who Can Apply

Eligibility generally includes:

Identifying as a woman entrepreneur with decision-making authority in your enterprise. 

Operating a business/organization for at least three years. 

Employing a minimum number of full-time employees. 

Generating a minimum annual revenue (or equivalent funds for nonprofits). 

Being professionally proficient in English and typically aged 21 or older at the time of competition. 

Applications usually require a short video and written responses showing how your work advances specific SDGs and fosters gender equity. 

APPLY HERE

Call for Applications: 2026 Global Africa Gateway / Afreximbank Summer Paid Internship Program for Young Africans

Applications are open for the 2026 Global Africa Gateway Summer Internship Program, a collaborative initiative between The Africa Center and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) that offers structured, paid internship placements across the African continent. This programme connects talented young Africans — including those in the diaspora — with real world professional experiences in sectors like finance, construction, commodities, law, NGOs, and more.

What the Program Offers

💸 Generous Financial Support

USD $10,000 stipend for Global Africa Gateway interns to help cover travel, living, housing, and other expenses for the duration of the summer placement.

Afreximbank internships offer a tax-free monthly stipend of USD $1,000 plus a USD $500 monthly housing allowance for interns relocating internationally (where applicable).

Additional support may include return airfare, visa assistance, accommodation during initial induction, and airport transfers for Afreximbank interns.

Who Can Apply (Eligibility)

Global Africa Gateway Summer Internship

Applicants must:

✔ Be U.S. citizens of African descent or highly qualified candidates with strong interest in Africa.

✔ Be currently enrolled in full-time graduate-level study or recent graduates (within 6 months of graduation).

✔ Be aged 22–35 years at the time of application.

✔ Be fluent in English and ideally another African Union official language (e.g., French, Arabic, Portuguese, Kiswahili).

Internships are available at host organisations across Africa, including Afreximbank and other partners in sectors such as finance, international development, infrastructure, and civil engineering.

Application deadline: February 27, 2026 (11:59pm ET) and selected candidates will be notified by March 15, 2026.

Afreximbank Internship Program

Open to:

✔ Undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled full-time at recognised institutions.

✔ Nationals of Afreximbank member states, Africans in the diaspora, and select non-African applicants aligned with Afreximbank’s mission.

✔ Candidates aged 20–32 years with proficiency in English or French (Arabic/Portuguese an advantage).

Afreximbank’s internships typically run 3–6 months with structured placements across departments relevant to your field of study.

Benefits & What You Gain

📘 Professional Experience

Interns work on real tasks and projects under supervision, gaining hands-on exposure in areas like finance, business analytics, trade, law, engineering, or NGO operations.

🤝 Mentorship & Networking

Work alongside seasoned professionals and build networks within major African institutions and international organisations.

🌍 Cultural & Career Growth

Live and work in dynamic African environments, deepen your cultural understanding, and build skills that boost employability and long-term career trajectories.

APPLY HERE

Call for Applications: UNDP × timbuktoo EdTech Accelerator Program 2026 For Young African EdTech Entrepreneurs

The UNDP timbuktoo EdTech Accelerator Program 2026 is now open for applications from young African founders and startups building education technology solutions that tackle learning challenges across Africa. This accelerator is designed to help EdTech ventures grow, refine their products, and scale impact across education systems in the region.

What the Accelerator Is

The timbuktoo EdTech Accelerator — implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) — is a cohort-based support programme for early-stage EdTech ventures. It provides a combination of capacity building, mentorship, strategic growth support, and ecosystem connections tailored to the needs of education technology innovators.

The programme aims to accelerate solutions that improve access, quality, equity, and inclusion in learning — including digital learning platforms, tools for educators, assessment technologies, language literacy tech, and other innovations relevant to African education contexts.

Who Should Apply (Eligibility)

This opportunity is open to:

✔ African EdTech founders or co-founders

✔ Startups and early-stage companies with a working prototype, MVP, or early user traction

✔ Solutions addressing education challenges at any level — from basic education to skills development and lifelong learning

✔ Teams passionate about scaling impact, improving learning outcomes, and driving systemic change

There are no strict age or country restrictions so long as the venture is African-led and impact-focused.

Program Benefits

Selected participants in the 2026 EdTech Accelerator will receive:

📘 Strategic Mentorship & Support

Expert guidance on product strategy, go-to-market planning, user research, and technology development.

🚀 Growth & Scaling Support

Coaching on scaling strategies, operational best practices, and building sustainable business models.

🤝 Community & Ecosystem Access

Access to founders, educators, investors, and partners within the African EdTech ecosystem.

💡 Pitch & Demo Opportunities

Opportunities to present your venture at virtual or in-person showcase events with potential funders and institutional partners.

📈 Capacity Building Workshops

Interactive sessions on key topics such as growth hacking, impact measurement, learner engagement, and distribution strategies.

This accelerator does not take equity in participating startups — support is focused on capacity, opportunity, and ecosystem integration.

APPLY HERE

Call for Applications: EcoHeroes Initiative 2026 Cohort

Deadline: February 17, 2026

Are you a young visionary ready to protect our planet? The EcoHeroes Initiative is back, and we are looking for the next generation of African environmental leaders to turn their green ideas into reality.

If you are a secondary school student with a passion for sustainability, this is your platform to lead, innovate, and create a lasting impact in your community.

Why the EcoHeroes Initiative Matters

Africa is at the frontline of the global climate crisis, yet it also holds the greatest potential for innovative, homegrown solutions. We believe that youth aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow—they are the change-makers of today.

By participating in the EcoHeroes Initiative, you aren’t just working on a project; you are:

Combatting Climate Change: Addressing urgent environmental threats specific to the African continent.

Building Green Skills: Equipping yourself with the technical and leadership skills needed for the future “green economy.”

Driving Local Solutions: Proving that local action can solve global challenges.

Focus Areas

We are looking for projects that tackle challenges in the following sectors:

Waste Management & Circular Economy: Turning waste into wealth and reducing pollution.

Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation: Innovative ways to reduce emissions or help communities adjust to a changing climate.

Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency: Expanding access to clean, sustainable power.

Nature Conservation & Biodiversity: Protecting our precious ecosystems, wildlife, and natural resources.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the 2025/2026 cohort, you must meet the following requirements:

Status: Must be a current secondary school student.

Location: Residing in any African country.

Age: Between 11 and 22 years old.

Teamwork: Applications from student groups/environmental clubs are highly encouraged.

Commitment: A clear passion for environmental sustainability and a willingness to see a project through to completion.

Benefits of Joining

Selected EcoHeroes will receive more than just a title. Benefits include:

Mentorship: Guidance from environmental experts to refine and scale your ideas.

Resource Access: Training in project management, sustainability, and leadership.

Global Visibility: A platform to showcase your work to an international audience.

Networking: Connection to a pan-African network of like-minded young environmentalists.

APPLY HERE

Call for Applications: Women in Energy & Sustainability Mentorship Programme 2026

Application Deadline: 10 February 2026

The Ukusimama Foundation is a purpose-driven organization committed to advancing access to clean energy, sustainability, and inclusive development across Africa. We believe that the future of the continent’s energy landscape depends on the leadership and brilliance of women.

We are proud to announce the opening of applications for the Women in Energy & Sustainability Mentorship Programme 2026. This transformative initiative is designed to bridge the gender gap by providing professional guidance, networking, and support to women across the energy, water, climate, and sustainability value chains.

Why This Programme Matters

Despite being pivotal to the management of natural resources, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles within the energy and environmental sectors. This mentorship programme seeks to:

Close the Gender Gap: By intentionally building a pipeline of female experts and decision-makers.

Accelerate Career Growth: Connecting emerging professionals with seasoned industry veterans.

Foster Inclusive Development: Ensuring that Africa’s transition to clean energy is equitable and led by diverse voices.

Eligibility & Minimum Requirements

We are looking for ambitious women who hold qualifications in one or more of the following fields:

Environmental Science & Management

Energy Management

Electrical Engineering

Sustainability

Climate Change

Water Resources Management

Applicants should be motivated to advance their professional journey and contribute to Africa’s sustainable development goals.

Benefits of the Programme

Participants in the 2026 cohort will gain access to:

One-on-One Mentorship: Personalized guidance from established leaders in the energy and sustainability sectors.

Professional Development: Workshops focused on leadership, technical expertise, and career strategy.

Strategic Networking: Entry into a community of like-minded women and industry stakeholders across Africa.

Impact Opportunities: Exposure to real-world projects and inclusive development initiatives.

APPLY HERE