Opportunities

Funding, programmes, competitions and events for entrepreneurs and NGOs across the MENA region. Every listing is read by a person before it appears.

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Umbrella500 Impact Awards 2026

CompetitionUmbrella500

Three awards for green startups, community initiatives and content creators across the wider MENA region. Entries are open now, and you can apply in Arabic, English or French.

MENA regionGeneralFor entrepreneurs and NGOsvia SPARK Innovation Hub

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Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship for Mid Career Professionals and Academics

ProgrammeUK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

A five month research fellowship at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies for mid career professionals and academics from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria and other eligible countries. Living expenses, a return economy airfare and a research allowance are covered by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, TurkeyGeneralFor NGOsvia Opportunity Desk

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Whitley Awards 2027 for Grassroots Conservation Leaders

FundingWhitley Fund for Nature

One year of project funding, professional media support and peer learning for grassroots conservation leaders who are nationals of the country where they work. Open to mid-career conservationists at locally incorporated NGOs, charities and universities across Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Libya and much of North Africa, working to protect threatened ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, YemenClimate adaptationFor NGOsvia Opportunity Desk

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Africa-Europe Innovation Dialogues 2026 in Abidjan and Online: Partnership Building for African and European Innovators

EventAfrica-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP), funded by the European Union

A day and a half of networking, partner-finding and practical sessions for start-ups, universities, business-support organisations, investors and civil society from Africa and Europe, run in English and French. Registration is free, in person in Abidjan or online, with a look at the funding opportunities the EU-funded Africa-Europe Innovation Platform runs.

Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, ComorosGeneralFor entrepreneurs and NGOsvia VC4A

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Doria Feminist Fund Grants for Feminist Groups and Collectives across the MENA Region

FundingDoria Feminist Fund

The Doria Feminist Fund supports feminist collectives, groups and organisations across the Middle East and North Africa, including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. It offers core, project and knowledge-production grants covering gender-based violence prevention, economic empowerment, health and rights, legal reform and movement building. Registration is not required and unregistered collectives are welcome. Applications are accepted in Arabic, English or French.

Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, YemenGeneralFor NGOsRolling — no fixed datevia Doria Feminist Fund

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DIV Fund Grants for Evidence Driven Innovations in Low and Middle Income Countries

FundingDIV Fund

An open innovation fund backs pilots, rigorous testing and large-scale expansion of solutions that measurably improve the lives of people living in poverty. Non-profits, social enterprises, businesses, universities and research institutions may all apply, and proposals are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year rather than against a closing date. Projects must address a challenge in a low- or middle-income country, which covers most of the Middle East and North Africa.

Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, TurkeyGeneralFor entrepreneurs and NGOsRolling — no fixed datevia VC4A

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Youth Delegation to the First International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals in Geneva, with Travel Grants

EventChemicals and Waste Youth Platform (CWYP), with UNEP

The Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform, working with UNEP, is selecting young delegates to represent children and youth at the first international conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals in Geneva, preceded by the Global Youth Forum on Chemicals and Waste. Selected delegates from low- and middle-income countries can have travel, accommodation and visa costs covered; a partially funded track and a registration-only track are also open.

Open worldwideWasteFor NGOsvia Opportunity Desk

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EU 'No Child Left Behind' Call for Proposals: Inclusion and Protection of Children with Disabilities in Egypt

FundingEuropean Union (EuropeAid)

The European Union has opened a call for proposals inviting non-profit organisations working in Egypt to design projects that protect the rights and improve the everyday lives of children with disabilities. Successful proposals combine work on child protection, inclusive education, family support, accessibility or institutional capacity so children can live, learn and take part in their communities.

EgyptGeneralFor NGOsvia EU Funding & Tenders Portal

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Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW) 2026, Fourth Edition

CompetitionSaudi Water Authority

An international competition from Saudi Arabia's national water authority for innovators, startups, NGOs, research institutes and utilities working on desalination, water reclamation, conservation, digital water management and wastewater solutions. Open worldwide with no entry fee, it rewards standout water innovations with cash prizes and support to pilot and scale them.

Open worldwideWaterFor entrepreneurs and NGOsvia Opportunity Desk

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IRENA Youth Forum 2027, Eighth Edition, for Renewable Energy Innovators and Advocates

EventInternational Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

A global forum from the International Renewable Energy Agency for young people working on the energy transition, from entrepreneurs and researchers to civil society advocates. Selected participants join panels, workshops and peer exchange with renewable energy leaders and policymakers from around the world.

Open worldwideGreen energyFor entrepreneurs and NGOsvia Opportunity Desk

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Middle East Regional Cooperation Programme for Applied Research and Innovation Partnerships

FundingUS Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Middle East Regional Cooperation Programme

Funding for joint applied research and innovation projects that tackle shared regional challenges and show a clear route to application, commercialisation and wider adoption. Every project must bring together an Israeli organisation and at least one organisation from an eligible Middle East or North African country or territory.

MENA regionGeneralFor entrepreneurs and NGOsvia Grants.gov

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Arab Impact Summit 2026 — Amman

EventAlfanar

A two-day regional convening in Amman bringing together social entrepreneurs, NGOs, investors, philanthropists, policymakers and ecosystem builders from across the Arab world. Registration of interest is open now.

MENA regionGeneralFor entrepreneurs and NGOsvia Alfanar

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GEAF Ambassador Programme, 2027 Cohort, for Community Environmental Leaders

ProgrammeGreen Earth Action Foundation

A six month programme for people leading environmental action in their own communities, run by a Geneva based non profit accredited to the UN Environment Programme. Ambassadors receive one to one mentoring and expert led training, and the local project they design is funded and delivered with the foundation's support.

Open worldwideClimate adaptationFor NGOsvia Opportunity Desk

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AWARD Women in Agriculture Leadership Programme Fellowship, Cohort 2, for Mid-Career Women Agricultural Scientists in Egypt and Morocco

ProgrammeAfrican Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), funded by ACIAR under the Africa-Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture

A two-year, non-residential leadership fellowship for African women scientists working on climate-responsive agriculture, with mentoring and training in leadership and negotiation, science communication and research proposal writing. Open to nationals of Egypt and Morocco, among six target countries, who hold a master's degree and have substantial professional experience.

Egypt, MoroccoClimate adaptationFor entrepreneurs and NGOsvia Opportunity Desk

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Fund for Innovation in Development Rolling Grants for Innovations Tackling Poverty and Inequality

FundingFund for Innovation in Development (FID), hosted by Agence Francaise de Developpement

The Fund for Innovation in Development, hosted by the French development agency AFD, accepts proposals year-round from NGOs, companies, universities and public agencies. It funds innovations in education, health, climate change and gender equality, with grant tiers scaling from small proof-of-concept funding through to large scale-up awards. Comoros, Djibouti and Mauritania are explicitly named as priority countries. There is no submission deadline.

Comoros, Djibouti, Mauritania, EgyptGeneralFor entrepreneurs and NGOsRolling — no fixed datevia Fund for Innovation in Development (AFD)

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Call for National Lead Organisations to Run the ClimateLaunchpad Green Business Ideas Competition

OpportunityClimateLaunchpad

ClimateLaunchpad, a cleantech business ideas competition running in more than fifty countries, is looking for organisations to host its national programme where it has no lead yet. In this region only Egypt, Morocco and Turkiye are taken, which leaves most of the Arab world open. No money comes with the role, so read what it asks of you.

MENA regionGeneralFor entrepreneurs and NGOsRolling — no fixed datevia ClimateLaunchpad

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