Nominations open for Climate Impact Innovations Challenge 2026

The Climate Impact Innovations Challenge (CIIC) 2026 invites teams with climate-tech solutions to compete for a total prize pool of Rp15 billion. The challenge supports pilot projects in Indonesia across energy transition, food and nature solutions, and circular economy, targeting scalable innovations with strong commercial potential.

Overview of the Challenge

The Climate Impact Innovations Challenge 2026 is designed to identify and support innovative climate solutions that address ecological challenges while delivering real market impact.

It focuses on helping teams pilot their solutions in Indonesia and accelerate them toward large-scale deployment and commercialization.

Core Objectives

The challenge aims to:

• Promote climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Support scalable and market-ready climate technologies
• Enable pilot implementation in real-world settings
• Encourage commercially viable sustainability solutions
• Strengthen innovation in Indonesia’s climate ecosystem

Thematic Tracks

Applicants must align with one of the three tracks:

Energy Transition

• Renewable energy adoption
• Sustainable mobility systems
• Efficient resource and energy use

Food & Nature Solutions

• Sustainable food systems
• Climate-resilient agriculture and aquaculture
• Nature-based solutions

Circular Economy

• Waste circularity and reduction
• Water management and reuse
• Climate adaptation through circular systems

Funding / Prize Details

• Total prize pool: Rp15 billion
• Funding supports pilot implementation in Indonesia
• Focus on scaling and commercialization readiness

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Teams with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
• Startups or innovators with climate-tech solutions
• Applicants with a clear commercialization roadmap

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Original and innovative solutions
• Feasibility for large-scale adoption
• Strong market potential and business model
• Measurable climate and environmental impact

What the Challenge Supports

The challenge supports:

• Pilot projects in Indonesia
• Climate-tech innovation across key sectors
• Solutions ready for real-world testing
• Business models with scalability potential

What is Not Supported

The challenge does NOT support:

• Early-stage ideas without MVP
• Solutions lacking commercial viability
• Projects without climate impact relevance
• Concepts not aligned with the three tracks

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

1. Identify the most relevant track
2. Prepare a climate-tech solution with MVP
3. Develop a clear commercialization roadmap
4. Demonstrate scalability and impact potential
5. Submit application to the CIIC 2026 platform
6. Participate in evaluation and selection process
7. Pilot the solution in Indonesia if selected

Why It Matters

This challenge is important because:

• It supports practical climate solutions, not just ideas
• It bridges innovation with real-world implementation
• It promotes sustainable economic growth
• It accelerates climate-tech ecosystems in emerging markets
• It encourages solutions that balance impact and profitability

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting ideas without a working prototype (MVP)
• Weak commercialization strategy
• Lack of clear climate impact metrics
• Poor alignment with selected track
• Overlooking scalability and deployment feasibility

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly show how your solution reduces climate impact
• Highlight readiness for pilot implementation
• Demonstrate strong business and revenue model
• Provide evidence of scalability and market demand
• Align tightly with one of the three focus tracks

FAQ

What is CIIC 2026 about?
It is a climate innovation challenge supporting pilot-ready solutions in energy, food systems, and circular economy.

How much funding is available?
A total prize pool of Rp15 billion is available.

Who can apply?
Teams or startups with MVP-stage climate-tech solutions and commercialization plans.

Where will projects be implemented?
Selected solutions will be piloted in Indonesia.

What stage should the solution be at?
At least Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage.

What kind of solutions are preferred?
Scalable, impactful, and commercially viable climate innovations.

Conclusion

The Climate Impact Innovations Challenge 2026 offers a strong opportunity for climate-tech innovators to test and scale their solutions in Indonesia. With significant funding and a focus on real-world impact, it helps bridge the gap between innovation and sustainable business growth.