The Circular Innovation Challenge 2026 is seeking innovative businesses in Southern Africa with solutions that are beyond the ideation stage and ready to move into testing, implementation or scaling.

The challenge is focused on circular solutions that:

• Reduce waste.
• Keep materials in use.
• Regenerate nature.
• Create social and economic value.
• Support jobs and wellbeing.

Solutions are expected to contribute to a transition from a linear to a circular economy.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The MENA Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme is designed to empower and upskill scientists, researchers and students working on agricultural challenges relevant to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The programme is aimed at researchers and innovators who have developed research-, science- or nature-based solutions and want to take their work toward proof of concept, while gaining the business and entrepreneurial capabilities needed to commercialise, scale and secure future funding.

Rainforest Trust welcomes applications from eligible organisations seeking support to create or expand protected or conserved areas on land or at sea.

The programme is centred on establishing areas that can deliver lasting conservation benefits for Species, Climate and Communities, rather than funding general environmental projects.

Rainforest Trust works with in-country partners and provides funding and other support through the process of developing and establishing protected or conserved areas.

The Scaling Circular Solutions Programme is designed for growth-stage circular economy businesses and organisations that have moved beyond the idea or early-development phase and are ready to expand their solutions and impact.

The programme is intended to help participants address practical growth barriers, strengthen their business model, improve investment readiness, build new partnerships and accelerate their scaling journey.

The Carbon to Sea Initiative has launched two 2026 Open Calls designed to advance the scientific, technical and practical understanding of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) as a potential carbon dioxide removal and climate mitigation approach.

Type of Funding Available

Procurement Contract / Paid Professional Services

This is not a grant, loan, equity investment or funding call for businesses to finance their own projects. MGCA is procuring the services of a qualified professional service provider to undertake a defined consultancy and business-development assignment. Payment will be made in accordance with the Service Level Agreement and is subject to satisfactory delivery and acceptance of agreed milestones.

Issuing Authority

Funder / Initiative

Global EbA Fund

The Fund aims to create an enabling environment for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities and ecosystems to climate change. It supports innovative approaches that help EbA move from individual initiatives towards wider uptake, scaling and mainstreaming.

Funding Available

The call will award up to 10 medium-size grants of up to USD 500,000 each.

Maximum project duration: 24 months.

Funder / Initiative

Global EbA Fund

The Fund is supported through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and works to create an enabling environment for Ecosystem-based Adaptation. The programme has been operational since 2020 and, as of June 2026, had supported 75 projects across 41 countries.

Overview

The Innovate Africa Challenge (3rd Edition) is a continental initiative jointly organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Smart Africa Secretariat. The 2026 edition is themed “From Ideation to Deployment” and focuses on moving proven AI innovations beyond pilot stage into practical deployment within African agricultural systems.

The Challenge seeks to identify, support and deploy one proven AI-driven solution for Climate-Smart Agriculture within a Smart Africa Member State. The selected solution will be implemented in partnership with: