Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
Applications are now open for the 2027 RISK Award to support innovative and practical projects that reduce climate-related disaster risks and strengthen resilience in informal and semi-formal urban settlements across low- and middle-income countries. The award encourages people-centred initiatives that translate disaster risk reduction goals into tangible local action and improve the lives of vulnerable communities exposed to climate hazards.
About the Program
Jointly organised by the Munich Re Foundation and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the RISK Award is presented every two years to recognise and fund initiatives that strengthen community resilience to disasters.
The programme focuses on:
- Climate resilience in informal and semi-formal urban settlements
- Disaster risk reduction
- Climate change adaptation
- Household and community resilience
- Protection against extreme heat
- Flood risk reduction
- Storm preparedness and response
- People-centred approaches
- Community-based initiatives
- Inclusive urban resilience
- Support for vulnerable communities
- Locally led resilience solutions
- Climate hazard preparedness
- Strengthening adaptive capacity
The 2027 theme is “Homes at risk: Climate resilience for informal settlements.”
Program Objectives
The programme seeks to:
- Reduce climate-related disaster risks
- Strengthen resilience at household and community levels
- Support practical local action
- Improve preparedness for climate hazards
- Promote inclusive resilience-building approaches
- Encourage community participation
- Protect vulnerable urban populations
- Advance climate adaptation efforts
- Translate disaster risk reduction goals into implementation
- Strengthen long-term community resilience
Projects should demonstrate practical actions that create measurable outcomes.
Funding Information
Under the programme:
- Funding of up to €100,000 is available.
- Eligible project budgets may range from €50,000 to €1,000,000.
- The RISK Award contribution may form part of a larger project budget.
- Applicants with projects exceeding €100,000 must identify additional funding sources.
- Applicants must explain how the RISK Award funding will contribute to visible project outcomes.
Funding is intended to support implementation rather than business development activities.
Focus Areas
The 2027 RISK Award supports projects addressing:
- Climate resilience in urban settlements
- Extreme heat adaptation
- Flood resilience
- Storm risk reduction
- Household preparedness
- Community preparedness
- Inclusive disaster risk reduction
- Community engagement
- Vulnerable population protection
- Informal settlement resilience
- Semi-formal settlement resilience
- Climate adaptation measures
- Local resilience-building initiatives
Projects should address risks experienced directly by communities.
Eligible Activities
Funding may support:
- Community-based resilience initiatives
- Disaster preparedness activities
- Climate adaptation interventions
- Household resilience measures
- Community awareness initiatives
- Capacity-building activities
- Risk reduction implementation projects
- Participatory resilience planning
- Inclusive resilience initiatives
- Actions that reduce climate-related disaster risks
- Practical interventions benefiting vulnerable populations
Projects must include an implementation component.
Ineligible Activities
The programme does not support:
- Research-only projects
- Business development activities
- Projects without practical implementation components
Applicants should ensure that proposals demonstrate tangible action and measurable outcomes.
Eligible Applicants
The programme is open to:
- Non-profit organisations
- Local non-profit entities
- International organisations with regional or local offices in the project area
Applicants must:
- Operate on a non-profit basis
- Implement projects in eligible countries
- Demonstrate the capacity to deliver the proposed activities
Applications from individuals are not eligible.
Eligible Countries
Projects must be implemented in countries classified by the World Bank as:
- Low-income countries
- Middle-income countries
Proposals should clearly identify the target communities and implementation locations.
Application Process
The application process consists of two phases.
Phase I
Eligible organisations must submit:
- A completed online application
- A concept template
- All materials in English
Organisations selected during this stage will be invited to proceed to Phase II.
Phase II
Shortlisted applicants must submit:
- Detailed project descriptions
- Milestone plans
- Impact frameworks
- Project budgets
- Additional supporting documentation as requested
Applicants should provide clear evidence of feasibility and anticipated impact.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Potential for impact
- Equity
- Scalability
- Viability and sustainability
- Institutional capacity
Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their initiatives contribute to each of these evaluation areas.
Expected Outcomes
Supported projects should contribute to:
- Reduced disaster risks
- Improved climate resilience
- Stronger household preparedness
- Enhanced community resilience
- Increased protection for vulnerable populations
- Greater community participation
- Inclusive adaptation solutions
- Sustainable resilience practices
- Improved responses to climate hazards
- Long-term local impact
The programme encourages initiatives capable of creating lasting change within vulnerable urban communities.
Why This Program Matters
Rapid urbanisation and climate change are increasing the vulnerability of informal and semi-formal settlements worldwide. Limited infrastructure, insecure housing conditions, inadequate services, and exposure to hazards such as floods, storms, and extreme heat often make these communities the hardest hit by disasters.
The 2027 RISK Award supports locally driven solutions that place communities at the centre of resilience-building efforts, helping vulnerable populations strengthen their ability to prepare for, withstand, and recover from climate-related disasters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2027 RISK Award?
- The RISK Award provides funding to non-profit organisations implementing practical projects that reduce climate-related disaster risks and strengthen resilience in informal and semi-formal urban settlements.
How much funding is available?
- Successful projects may receive funding of up to €100,000.
Who can apply?
- Non-profit organisations, including local entities and international organisations with regional or local offices in the project area, are eligible to apply.
Are research projects eligible for funding?
- No. Projects based solely on research are not eligible and must include implementation activities.
Which countries are eligible?
- Projects must be implemented in countries classified by the World Bank as low-income or middle-income countries.
What does the application process involve?
- The process includes a Phase I concept submission followed by a Phase II detailed proposal stage for shortlisted applicants.
How are applications evaluated?
- Proposals are assessed based on potential impact, equity, scalability, viability and sustainability, and institutional capacity.
Conclusion
The 2027 RISK Award supports innovative, community-centred initiatives that transform disaster risk reduction into practical action within vulnerable urban settlements. By funding projects that strengthen climate resilience and protect communities exposed to climate hazards, the programme contributes to safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable futures for populations most at risk.
For more information, visit Munich Re Foundation.