Deadline: 22-May-2026
The Innovation Challenge is a competitive global grant program that supports locally driven innovation to address interconnected global risks.
It focuses on strengthening resilience in vulnerable communities while promoting sustainable ecosystems, inclusive growth, and adaptive innovation in rapidly changing environments.
Core Objectives of the Program
The initiative aims to:
- Strengthen community resilience in the Global South
- Promote ecosystem protection and nature-positive solutions
- Support sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities
- Encourage locally led innovation and entrepreneurship
- Address complex global risks such as climate change, pandemics, and food insecurity
- Support inclusive development aligned with gender, equity, and human rights
Thematic Focus Areas
The programme supports innovations across four main sectors:
- Agriculture, nutrition, and food security
- Urban development and city resilience
- Disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness
- Information and technology solutions
All projects must address interconnected systemic risks and promote long-term resilience.
Key Innovation Challenges
1. RAIN Rural Challenge (Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature)
Focuses on:
- Nature-positive agriculture
- Sustainable farming systems
- Ecosystem restoration linked to livelihoods
- Climate-resilient rural development
2. RISE Urban Challenge (Resilience Innovation in Informality through Scaling Entrepreneurship)
Focuses on:
- Informal urban settlements
- Grassroots and start-up innovation
- Social entrepreneurship
- Urban resilience and inclusive city systems
3. TECH4Resilience Challenge (Technology for Evolving Challenges in Humanitarian Contexts)
Focuses on:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) applications
- Humanitarian preparedness and response
- Data-driven disaster management systems
- Technology-enabled resilience solutions
Eligible Applicants
The program is open to:
- Non-profit organisations
- For-profit organisations and enterprises
- Entrepreneurs and innovators
- Start-ups and social enterprises
Eligibility condition:
- Must be based in OECD-DAC eligible countries (Global South focus)
Funding Details
- Grant size: Up to US$50,000 per project
- Duration: 12-month implementation period (2027)
- Results announcement: COP31
- Funding supports pilot and scaling innovation projects
Program Priorities
Projects must demonstrate:
- Locally led and community-driven innovation
- Scalability and adaptability in changing risk environments
- Environmental sustainability and ecosystem protection
- Social inclusion and equity outcomes
- Strong alignment with resilience-building objectives
- Practical implementation capacity
Cross-Cutting Requirements
All applications must include:
- Gender equality integration
- Equity and human rights considerations
- “Do no harm” safeguards for communities and ecosystems
- Strong participation of women and youth (majority representation encouraged)
- Evidence of local engagement and ownership
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects are expected to:
- Improve resilience in vulnerable communities
- Strengthen sustainable food and urban systems
- Enhance disaster preparedness and response capacity
- Deliver scalable and adaptable innovation models
- Promote inclusive economic opportunities
- Protect ecosystems while supporting livelihoods
Why the Innovation Challenge Matters
This program is important because it:
- Supports frontline innovation in high-risk regions
- Strengthens resilience to climate and systemic shocks
- Encourages locally driven solutions instead of top-down models
- Integrates technology, nature, and social innovation
- Promotes equity-focused development in vulnerable communities
- Helps scale solutions across the Global South
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak alignment with resilience or ecosystem goals
- Lack of local community ownership or participation
- Ignoring gender, equity, or human rights requirements
- Overly theoretical or non-implementable proposals
- Poor definition of target risks or problem context
- Lack of scalability or sustainability planning
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define the local problem and risk environment
- Demonstrate strong community involvement and leadership
- Show how innovation is adaptive and scalable
- Include measurable resilience and environmental outcomes
- Ensure gender and youth inclusion is central
- Align clearly with one of the three thematic challenges
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Innovation Challenge?
A global grant program supporting locally led resilience innovations in the Global South.
Who can apply?
Non-profits, for-profits, entrepreneurs, and social enterprises in OECD-DAC eligible countries.
What is the funding amount?
Up to US$50,000 per project.
What is the duration of projects?
12 months (implementation in 2027).
What are the main focus areas?
Agriculture, urban resilience, disaster risk reduction, and technology innovation.
Are women and youth inclusion required?
Yes, strong inclusion is mandatory and actively encouraged.
When are results announced?
At COP31.
Conclusion
The Innovation Challenge supports bold, locally led solutions that strengthen resilience across vulnerable regions of the Global South. By funding innovations in agriculture, urban systems, disaster preparedness, and technology, it enables communities to adapt to climate and systemic risks while promoting inclusive, sustainable development outcomes.
For more information, visit Global Resilience Partnership.