Deadline: 23-Jun-2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is inviting applications for innovative digital tools that help communities report and respond to crisis impacts in real time. The challenge supports scalable, user-friendly solutions for capturing real-time damage data during sudden-onset disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and conflicts. Selected solutions may receive up to $50,000, and the challenge is open worldwide to individuals, teams, and organisations.
About the Opportunity
UNDP is seeking applications for solutions that enable communities to capture and submit real-time damage data during emergencies.
The goal is to strengthen crisis response and recovery by supporting tools that are:
- Innovative
- Scalable
- User-friendly
- Designed for real-time community reporting
These solutions should help communities actively contribute to disaster response with timely and accurate information.
Funding Information
- Award amount: up to $50,000
- Partial awards may also be granted
- Some strong submissions may receive honourable mentions even without monetary funding
What the Challenge Supports
The programme is looking for digital solutions that support:
- Real-time damage reporting
- Community-led crisis data collection
- Improved emergency response systems
- Faster and more effective recovery efforts
Crisis Types Covered
Solutions may address sudden-onset crises such as:
- Earthquakes
- Floods
- Hurricanes
- Wildfires
- Conflicts
Who Can Apply?
The challenge is open worldwide to:
- Individuals
- Teams
- Organisations
Selection Process
The challenge uses a two-phase evaluation process:
- Initial review
Submitted solutions, technical details, and pitch materials are reviewed by UNDP experts and partners. - Shortlisting and presentation
Selected applicants are invited to present their solutions directly.
After that, shortlisted solutions go through:
- Further analysis
- Prototype testing
- Final award decisions
Award Criteria
Awards are based on:
- The theoretical strength of the proposal
- The experimental validation of the prototype
- Overall alignment with the challenge requirements
Intellectual Property
- Applicants keep their intellectual property rights
- Only awarded solvers must grant non-exclusive license rights to UNDP
- Awarded solutions may be shared with other nonprofit organisations to support global crisis response
- If non-exclusive licensing is not possible, UNDP may consider collaboration agreements
Why This Opportunity Matters
This challenge aims to improve how communities and responders work together during crises.
It supports tools that can:
- Strengthen disaster response systems
- Improve recovery effectiveness
- Help communities rebuild faster
- Reduce vulnerability to future crises
Best-Suited Applicants
This opportunity is especially relevant for:
- Civic tech innovators
- Disaster response startups
- Humanitarian technology teams
- NGOs developing digital response tools
- Researchers working on crisis data systems
- Community-led innovation groups
- Software developers and prototype builders
Tips for Applicants
To make your application stronger:
- Focus on simplicity and usability
- Show how communities can easily submit data in real time
- Demonstrate scalability across different crisis types
- Include a clear prototype or testing approach
- Explain how your tool improves response and recovery outcomes
- Prepare strong technical and pitch materials
FAQs
1. Who is offering this challenge?
The challenge is offered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
2. What is the main goal?
To support digital tools that allow communities to report crisis impacts in real time and improve emergency response.
3. How much funding is available?
Selected solutions may receive up to $50,000, with partial awards possible.
4. Who can apply?
The challenge is open to individuals, teams, and organisations worldwide.
5. What types of crises are covered?
Examples include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and conflicts.
6. Do applicants keep their intellectual property?
Yes. IP remains with the applicants. Only awardees must provide non-exclusive license rights to UNDP, if applicable.
Conclusion
This UNDP challenge is a valuable opportunity for innovators building real-time crisis reporting tools that can improve disaster response and recovery worldwide.
With awards of up to $50,000 and global eligibility, it is especially suitable for applicants developing community-focused, scalable digital solutions for humanitarian and emergency response.
For more information, visit UNDP.