Application Deadline: 21 October 2025, 11:59 PM CET
Climate change affects children first from air pollution and heat stress to floods and disease outbreaks. The UNICEF Climate Innovation Challenge invites tech startups in emerging economies to help protect children’s health and reinforce community resilience. For MSMEs and innovators in Africa, this is a chance to receive funding, mentorship, and global exposure while tackling urgent climate-health issues in your region.
What You’ll Gain (Benefits)
Up to USD 100,000 in funding (via UNICEF’s Venture Fund)
At least 10 hours of technical mentoring (open source, business strategy, frontier tech, DEI)
Tailored support to improve your investment readiness
Access to UNICEF’s network, visibility, and potential additional financing
Eligibility Criteria
You must meet all of the following:
A legally registered for-profit company in a UNICEF programme country
Have a working prototype or MVP showing promising results
Be willing to make your solution open source or adopt open source practices
Demonstrate clear potential to improve outcomes for vulnerable children
Provide data that is publicly accessible, measurable, and in real time
Focus on one of the two target themes below (or both)
Focus Areas
Theme
Sample Use Cases
Climate & Health
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Air quality sensors, lead exposure reduction, climate-aware disease prediction, low-cost cooling in health centers or schools (UNICEF)
Adaptation, Resilience & Disaster Risk
Community early-warning systems, parametric insurance, blockchain validation for climate data, resilient infrastructure planning (UNICEF)
Additional preferences:
Designed for low-resource environments (low connectivity, limited infrastructure)
Serve diverse users, reduce inequality, support multiple/local languages
Uphold data protection, child safeguarding, and responsible tech practices
Also encouraged (though not strictly required):
Women-led or youth-led start-ups (founder/leader under 35)
Duration & Key Date
Application deadline: 21 October 2025, 11:59 PM CET
After selection, mentoring and support follow in phases through UNICEF Venture Fund’s grant cycle
How to Apply
Visit the UNICEF Venture Fund’s application page for the Climate Innovation Challenge
Do you professional help for this application? Click HERE
Disclaimer: Edfrica does not have direct influence nor guarantee the outcome of this application following the support you receive from us
