Deadline: 10 May 2020
UNDP Pacific initiative in collaboration with Solevaka, UNDP Accelerator Lab Pacific, and V-Lab incubator have announced the Pacific Response: Sustainable Livelihoods Challenge.
The Pacific Response Challenge is not aiming to find the cure or vaccine for novel coronavirus (specialized organizations are already working on that), but to identify social impact projects and business models that can support the people and organizations which are negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis (such as unemployed people, local SMEs, entrepreneurs, vulnerable groups, etc.)
The spread of COVID-19 is a health crisis, but it is not just a health crisis. It is a social, economic, and political crisis that presents individuals, organizations, and communities with livelihood challenges and uncertainties among other issues.
The pandemic affects the Pacific Island states beyond public health, especially the local economies relying largely on tourism and travel-related industries – as well as imports and international aid. The need for social impact projects and sustainable business models to help communities cope and recover from the repercussions of COVID-19 becomes more important and needed than ever.
What they are offering:
- At least 6 grants of up to USD10,000 each to kickstart the social impact project;
- Technical assistance and support by UNDP and partners;
- A special program for early-stage projects to develop their idea and prototype by the UNDP Accelerator Lab;
- Additional opportunities for fundraising, business development, and partnerships.
Eligibility Criteria
- Individuals, organizations, community groups, private sector companies & associations, research, and academic institutions can apply.
- Your innovation may be an idea or maybe already established. For established projects, you must provide some evidence of prior success e.g. influence/connections in the community or market share/consumer base;
- Led by local teams who are willing to serve within local COVID-19 social distancing and travel restriction requirements during these difficult times;
- The projects may be focused but not limited to poverty reduction, food security, sanitation, economic empowerment, (un)employment, entrepreneurship & SMEs, online infrastructure, communications/awareness, disability inclusion in Fiji, and/or Vanuatu.
- Target Countries of the 1st Challenge are Fiji and Vanuatu.
Timeline and Process:
- Applications are received by May 10, 2020.
- Shortlist by May 13, 2020.
- Shortlisted applicants are invited for an online pitch;
- Online pitch and winners are announced by May 15, 2020.
Selection Criteria
- Problem (relevance to coping with the repercussions of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of Pacific communities);
- Impact;
- Reach (can be replicated in many communities);
- Viability;
- Innovation.
For more information, visit https://solevaka.org/pacificresponse