Funding Opportunities
PowerUp! by InnoEnergy
InnoEnergy, Europe’s largest sustainable energy accelerator, launched PowerUp! – the biggest regional competition for energy start-ups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
The competition calls for innovative ideas in sustainable energy, smart buildings, cybersecurity, tackling smog, cleantech. PowerUp! Offers financial awards up to €30,000 and an opportunity of a €150,000 investment.
Projects will be accepted until April 19th, 2018. The form has to be submitted in English. Website: http://powerup.innoenergy.com/en/
Pioneers into practice by Climate-KIC
Operating in eight European locations, the Pioneers into Practice programme runs from May through to November and consists of a 4-6 week placement (domestic or international), workshop programme and online training. Pioneers Programme brings together climate change professionals and organisations from across public, private, research & not for profit interested in applying innovations in the area of climate change.
Projects will be accepted until April 15th, 2018. Website: https://pioneers.climate-kic.org/
ClimateLaunchpad by Climate-KIC
The world’s largest cleantech business idea competition kicks off again – ClimateLaunchpad 2018 is now open for applications. Individuals, teams, start-ups, entrepreneurs and researchers are invited to submit their cleantech ideas. Entries are judged on their impact on climate change. The most promising entries gain access to Climate-KIC’s Accelerator programme and a cash prize of € 10 000. Projects will be accepted until April 30th, 2018. Website: https://climatelaunchpad.org
If you have any questions regarding the competition, you can also contact Cleantech Bulgaria, a non-governmental organization that coordinates the competition at a local level.
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The European Commission launched The European Social Innovation Competition. The competition calls all Horizon 2020 associated countries to come up with ideas including, but not limited to:
Initiatives that use new technologies and ways of working to provide opportunities for youth within their local communities;
Ideas that assist young people who wouldn’t have otherwise become innovators to create their own opportunities in their local environment;
Ideas co-created with young people to respond to requirements in their local community for skills, experiences and opportunities;
Solutions to improve the quality of life and financial security of young people in irregular work
Innovations that provide information, advice and guidance to young people so they can navigate their options in the new economy;
Programmes that equip the next generation of workers with skills that allow young people to harness technological change;
Ideas that are led by young people themselves are particularly encouraged.
30 semi-finalists will be selected to receive mentoring support and further progress their ideas. Out of the 30 semi-finalists, 10 finalists will be invited to the awards ceremony, announcing the 3 final winners each receiving a €50,000 prize.
In 2019, the competition amongst the 30 semi-finalists will be reopened and award the 2018 project having achieved the most significant results with a prize of €50,000.
Deadline to submit an entry: 27 April 2018
The competition is open to individuals, groups and organizations across the European Union and in countries participating in the European Horizon 2020 programme.
Rules of contest and Entry form are available at http://ec.europa.eu/growth/industry/innovation/policy/social/competition/
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For the fifth consecutive year, Innovation Starter organizes Academy of Innovation – Sofia Innovation Hackathon for students. The most important part of the competition is a 24-hour marathon, where the young will generate and present their ideas within the following categories: Inventions of the Future, Digital Innovations, Social Solutions.
The competition is supported by the European Commission in Bulgaria. The prize pool is 10,000 lv. for the team with the most creative idea and a visit to Brussels.
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The European Commission launched the WiFi4EU web portal inviting all European municipalities to register their details for the chance to benefit from EU financing to build free public wireless internet hotspots.
The WiFi4EU programme offers vouchers worth €15,000 for municipalities to set up Wi-Fi hotspots in public spaces, including libraries, museums, public parks, squares. The vouchers cover equipment and installation costs.
The web portal gathers pre-registrations ahead of the first call for projects on May 15th, when all registered municipalities can apply for a first lot of 1,000 WiFi4EU vouchers (€15,000 each). The vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, please visit WiFi4EU.eu
