Exciting news for Fellowship Alumni! The 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship Catalyst Grant is now accepting applications.
IREX, in partnership with D-Prize (a non-profit focused on distributing effective solutions to fight extreme poverty), offers this grant to Fellowship Alumni who are ready to create real change.
What’s the opportunity?
Up to two Fellowship Alumni will each receive grants of up to $20,000 USD to start a project that will distribute proven poverty-fighting solutions where extreme poverty exists.
Who Can Apply?
This grant is open to all Fellowship Alumni—no matter their expertise or sector—who want to expand or launch a social enterprise in African communities.
However, the grant is not for creating new ideas. Instead, it focuses on scaling up existing poverty solutions that have already been proven effective.
Mandela Washington Fellowship Catalyst Grant Challenges
The Mandela Washington Fellowship Catalyst Grant focuses on tackling the following issues:
Agriculture
Quality Inputs Challenge – Can you provide smallholder farmers with high-quality tools and training to help them increase their crop yields?
Education
Teaching at the Right Level Challenge – Can you teach basic reading and math skills to primary school children, even in a classroom with limited resources?
Energy
Solar Lamp Challenge – Can you bring affordable solar lights to households in rural or slum areas where electricity is unavailable?
Health
Child Immunization Challenge – Can you encourage 500 parents or caregivers to bring their babies to health clinics for routine vaccinations?
Livelihoods
Poverty Graduation Challenge – Can you provide business coaching, financial support, and guidance to help people escape extreme poverty?
Reading Glasses Challenge – Can you distribute affordable reading glasses to people who need them but can’t afford prescription glasses?
Public Services
Government Transparency Challenge – Can you improve transparency and report how public services are performing in your area?
Road Safety Challenge – Can you reduce road accidents by promoting a proven public transportation safety campaign?
How to Apply
To apply visit the link here: https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/2024/10/16/catalyst-grant-application/
Key Dates to Remember
- Application Deadline (Round 1): November 18, 2024
- Decision and Invitations to Round 2: December 2024
(Round 2 requires a detailed plan submission).
- Final Round (Virtual Interviews): February 2025
- Winning Ventures Announced: March 2025
If you’re a Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni looking to drive positive change in African communities by scaling up proven poverty-fighting solutions, this grant is your chance to make a big impact!
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