Tag Archives: United Nation

2026 CALL FOR PROPOSALS: MOUNTAINS ADAPT SMALL GRANTS

Application Deadline: 15 September 2026

LOCATION: East Africa

Community-based organizations in the countries of the East African Community (EAC) are invited to apply to the 1st call for proposals of the Mountains ADAPT small grants project for mountain community resilience. The small grants support inclusive ecosystem-based approaches that respond to climate change impacts in mountains and help communities protect their natural environment and improve their livelihoods.

ELIGIBILITY:

Civil society organizations, preferably grassroots, community-based, youth, or women’s organizations delivering community-based actions to adapt to climate change impacts in mountain communities of the East African Community.

Only registered organizations are eligible to apply.

Only formally registered organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must upload their official registration certificate as part of the application form. If selected, the organization will also need to have an official bank account (not a personal/individual) to receive the funds.

Eligible organizations must demonstrate experience working directly with the benefiting mountain community. Applicants should also show proven capacity to implement the proposed projects. A strong experience in implementing adaptation and/or environmental activities will be considered an asset during the evaluation process.

Organizations only need to demonstrate prior experience working with and in projects benefiting mountain communities, not necessarily from international funding sources.

Applicants must submit the following documents along with their application form: The organization’s valid registration certificate and the national ID card or passport of the organization’s legal representative. Additionally, if selected, the applicant must present official banking details of the organization (must coincide with the organization’s registry).

The application form can also be accessed and filled in in any of the following languages: French and Kiswahili.

This first round of call for proposals will fund up to 15 projects in the EAC. Solution proposals should be submitted through the application link by 15th September 2026 at 11:59 pm (East African Time).

Contact information: For questions or support, please contact us at unep-mountainsadapt@un.org.

BENEFIT:

The Mountains ADAPT small grants project provides up to 30,000 USD towards the design and implementation of impactful solutions for climate change impacts on mountain communities. Successful community-based organizations will receive capacity development and training support to implement the proposed solution in their community.

APPLY

IF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE

Application Deadline (Round 2): 19 August, 2026

LOCATION: Germany

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.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applying is free of charge. 

Your project should already be established and must be related to design (this is now one of the five evaluation criteria). You can apply to the same project a maximum of two times. Student concepts are not accepted.

Categories – the UN Sustainable Development Goals (1-15): All submissions should be in line with one of the following 15 UN SDGs.

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

Evaluation Criteria & Jury Process:

The jury evaluates all projects based on five updated criteria, considering each project’s individual aspects.
Providing answers to some or all of these questions in your participation materials will help the jury to understand your project better.

Problem-Solving

Moral-Ethic Standards

Design relevance

Reasonable amount of effort

Beneficial Experiences
Jury Process
: Based on five evaluation criteria, the jurors evaluate each submitted project individually in an online jury session and later jointly decide on the finalists. Their number is flexible and depends on the total number of applications.
Jury Board
: iF Design aims to build a strong network behind its non-profit prize. Since 2024, the jury of the Social Impact Prize has been made up of independent, rotating experts who are closely familiar with the social sector.

BENEFIT:

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