Deadline: October 21, 2025
The UNICEF Climate Innovation Challenge 2025 is a global initiative designed to support frontier technology start-ups in emerging economies tackling climate and health challenges that affect vulnerable children and communities. Through funding, mentorship, and investment-readiness support, UNICEF is seeking bold, scalable innovations that deliver real impact where it matters most.
About the UNICEF Climate Innovation Challenge
Organised by the UNICEF Venture Fund in partnership with the India Health Fund (IHF) and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), the UNICEF Climate Innovation Challenge connects innovators with mentorship, resources, and visibility to accelerate solutions that address climate change and children’s well-being.
The programme specifically focuses on climate and health, and climate adaptation, resilience, and disaster risk management.
Focus Areas
1. Climate and Health
Solutions under this theme aim to reduce climate-related health risks for children. UNICEF is particularly interested in:
- Affordable air quality monitoring tools.
- Technologies for detecting and preventing lead exposure in air, water, soil, and food.
- Early warning systems and digital engagement platforms using climate-health data.
- Low-cost cooling innovations for schools, homes, and health facilities.
2. Climate Adaptation, Resilience, and Disaster Risk Management
This track supports technologies that strengthen community resilience and reduce disaster risks, such as:
- Community-based early warning systems and predictive digital platforms.
- Scenario modelling and analysis of climate risks using frontier technology.
- Parametric insurance and innovative financing mechanisms for climate disaster response.
- Clean energy alternatives and energy resilience solutions for critical services and community networks.
What Start-Ups Receive
Successful applicants will gain access to:
- Technical assistance and mentorship, including around 10 hours of one-on-one support.
- Guidance in business development, frontier technology, software development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
- Opportunities to refine investment strategies and connect with potential partners.
- Increased visibility and positioning as an investable solution for global impact.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must meet the following mandatory requirements:
- Be a private, for-profit company.
- Be legally registered in a UNICEF programme country.
- Have at least a working prototype or minimum viable product (MVP) with promising results.
- Be open-source or willing to open source the solution.
- Demonstrate the potential to positively impact the lives of vulnerable children.
- Generate real-time, publicly accessible, measurable data.
In addition, solutions should:
- Be designed for low-resource environments.
- Help reduce inequalities rather than widen them.
- Be accessible in multiple/local languages.
- Uphold UNICEF’s standards for data protection and safeguarding.
Timeline
The application deadline for the UNICEF Climate Innovation Challenge 2025 is:
📅 21 October 2025
Why Apply?
This programme offers start-ups the opportunity to grow innovative solutions while gaining credibility and exposure on the global stage. By focusing on technologies that improve children’s resilience to climate change, selected innovators will help build a safer, healthier future for the most vulnerable communities.
How to Apply
If your organisation is working on transformative technology that aligns with UNICEF’s vision, this is your chance to make an impact.
👉 Apply Here
👉 Read More About the Programme
For tailored guidance on your proposal, contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review.
