By Kamau Njoroge
Consulting firm KCL has announced its partnership with Canadian firm Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) in its role as an enterprise support organisation for GCC’s latest request for proposals.
The call for proposals is targeting innovative ideas in the climate and health nexus as it seeks bold solutions that address the human health impacts of climate change in low- and middle-income countries.
Speaking during an interview, KCL CEO Prabhakar Vanam expressed his delight as he rallied business owners to apply for the opportunity.
“GCC through the Stars in Global Health program is seeking innovative ideas that now stand to benefit from a seed grant of up to $150,000 CAD to develop and test the proposed innovation,” Vanam explained.
“We are running this call as KCL but the project is implemented by GCC in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC).” he added.
Through this call for proposals, GCC seeks to create an opportunity to landscape the state of innovative ideas seeking to address adaptation needs as climate change continues to impact health and wellbeing.
The call is open across Africa where 16 innovative ideas will win the funding opportunity.
“Locally-led organizations that are meaningfully connected with the communities they are looking to work with and for, are specifically encouraged to apply for this opportunity,” Vanam said.
The application process has been automated online with KCL publishing application guidelines on its website.
Interested candidates have been asked to register before the registration deadline on December 15, 2022. Upon registration, they will receive login details and be able to access the application form through which they will be expected to submit their applications for consideration.
KCL, a pan-African consulting firm has been supporting small and medium-sized market enterprises in Africa through business mentorship support.
They recently implemented a similar opportunity with Amref targeting innovative businesses in climate adaptation and health innovation in Africa.
Climate change continues to affect human health with experts alluding that the increase in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, premature deaths caused by non-communicable diseases could be arising from climate change effects on heat, water and the environment.
The World Health Organisation reports facts that climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health – clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter.
It estimates that between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress.
