We are now living in a climate-changed world. Events like pandemics, extreme weather, financial crises, conflict, geopolitical instability, and synchronized food shocks are increasingly interconnected, amplifying their impacts across sectors and geographies. These events have a disproportionate impact on communities in the Global South, already on the front lines of shocks and stresses. This creates a risk landscape where uncertainty is the norm, not the exception, requiring solutions that can evolve over time. The need for agile, transformative, and locally grounded innovations has never been greater.

About the thematic challenges
Across all three challenges, we are accepting proposals from both non-profit and for-profit organizations, local entrepreneurs, and innovators. Both experienced implementers and emerging entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply. All three thematic challenges prioritize locally-led innovations that build resilience.

All three thematic challenges are open to ODA-eligible countries in the Global South:

1. The Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature (RAIN) Rural Challenge identifies and scales innovative nature-positive solutions that deliver both ecological and livelihood benefits. While we are taking RAIN global, dedicated funding has been earmarked for East African countries.
2. The Resilience Innovation in Informality through Scaling Entrepreneurship (RISE) Urban Challenge identifies and scales practical, locally-led solutions from grassroots groups, urban start-ups, and/or social enterprises that address the realities of living and working in informal urban environments.
3. The Technology for Evolving Challenges in Humanitarian Contexts (TECH)4Resilience Challenge identifies applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can enhance or optimize the delivery and provision of humanitarian preparedness and response programs, enabling faster, more targeted, and anticipatory action. We have earmarked funding for TECH4Nature solutions, with a particular focus on solutions from Southeast Asia.

What winners will receive:
The Challenge winners will receive a program of tailored mentoring, communications, and MEL support, and will be connected to potential partners and/or investors. In addition to this there will be funding support up to US $50,000 for winning projects to further develop and scale their solutions. This will be awarded at the end of 2026 after the initial mentoring period and a virtual Leadership Academy, to be used for implementation for 12 months (January to December 2027).

Challenge Guidelines
Before applying, please read the guidelines carefully. The guidelines include more detailed information about the Innovation Challenge call for proposals, eligibility criteria, and examples of the types of solutions we are looking for. See guidelines at the Global Resilience Partnership website >>

Timeline:

• May 1, 2026: The call for proposals opens
• May 13 at 3:00 PM (CEST): Webinar for potential applicants. Register for the webinar now >>
• May 22, 2026  at 11:59 PM (GMT): Deadline for submissions. The Challenge will close at this time and we will not be able to accept submissions past the deadline.
• End of June 2026: Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be contacted
• June–mid-September 2026: Successful applicants will be provided support to further develop their projects during:
  • July 6–9, 2026: Virtual Leadership Academy
• November 2026: Winners will be announced at COP31.
• 2026 and 2027: Mentoring, communications, and MEL support.
• Q1 of 2027: Induction Workshop for winners.

If you have any questions please contact: challenge@globalresiliencepartnership.org

Submit now >>