About Organisation
UNICEF works across more than 190 countries and territories to safeguard the rights of every child, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to survive, thrive, and reach their full potential. With over 70 years of experience, UNICEF has established itself as a global leader in advancing child rights, addressing inequalities, and improving health, education, and protection outcomes for children and their families. The organisation’s approach emphasizes innovation, partnerships, and scaling solutions that create lasting impact.
The UNICEF Office of Innovation, based in Stockholm, supports this mission by leveraging frontier technologies, data-driven solutions, new financing models, and creative programming approaches. Through initiatives like the UNICEF Venture Fund, the organisation invests in early-stage, open-source technologies that can deliver results for children in resource-constrained environments. By focusing on emerging technology clusters such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and immersive technologies, UNICEF both shapes markets and ensures technological progress benefits the most vulnerable. This innovation-driven mandate allows UNICEF to integrate cutting-edge solutions into real-world systems, strengthening resilience and creating scalable models that contribute to global sustainable development goals while protecting children’s wellbeing and rights.
About the Grant
The UNICEF Climate Innovation Challenge seeks to accelerate frontier technology start-ups in emerging markets that address climate resilience and adaptation for children and vulnerable communities. Launched in collaboration with India Health Fund (IHF) and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), this initiative is designed to identify promising solutions, strengthen their capacity, and help them scale effectively.
Selected start-ups will benefit from a dual-track support structure, including mentorship from UNICEF Venture Fund experts, technical guidance, and exposure to future funding opportunities. The support includes 10 hours of specialised mentoring in areas such as open-source development, business growth strategies, software innovation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Start-ups will also gain tailored assistance in navigating the UNICEF Venture Fund sourcing and selection process.
This challenge prioritises solutions optimised for low-resource environments, capable of reducing inequalities, and adaptable to diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. The ultimate aim is to create climate innovations that serve as public goods, provide measurable impact, and demonstrate scalable market potential. By fostering collaboration and equipping innovators with technical and investment readiness, UNICEF seeks to unlock sustainable, long-term solutions to safeguard children against climate-related challenges.
Who can Apply?
The UNICEF Climate Innovation Challenge is open to private for-profit companies operating within UNICEF programme countries. Applicants must demonstrate innovation, scalability, and a commitment to equity in advancing child-focused climate solutions.
Eligibility requirements include:
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The applicant must be a registered private for-profit company.
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Registration should be in one of UNICEF’s recognised programme countries.
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A working prototype or minimum viable product (MVP) of the proposed solution is mandatory, with evidence of early results or proof of concept.
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The solution should be open-source or applicants must be willing to adopt an open-source framework.
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Innovations must have the potential to significantly improve the lives of vulnerable children, particularly in low-resource contexts.
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Solutions must generate real-time, publicly accessible, and measurable data that can demonstrate impact and transparency.
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Preference will be given to technologies optimised for low connectivity, local language inclusion, and equitable access to underserved populations.
Through this challenge, UNICEF encourages applicants who are committed to creating inclusive, sustainable, and scalable solutions that integrate advanced technologies while ensuring strong data protection and safeguarding principles.
How to Apply?
Interested applicants must submit their proposals directly through UNICEF’s designated application process. Companies should prepare details of their prototype, demonstrate its potential impact on children in climate-affected regions, and ensure openness to adopting open-source principles. Selected ventures will be evaluated on innovation, feasibility, and scalability.
Application Deadline
Applications must be completed and submitted no later than 21 October 2025, by the official deadline specified. Late submissions will not be considered under any circumstances.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
