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UNICEF Climate Innovation Challenge

Sep 11 , 2025
Photo for illustrative purpose only
UNICEF is launching a call for solutions from emerging markets in collaboration with India Health Fund (IHF), and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). 
To maximize impact, UNICEF will foster collaboration between early-stage frontier tech ventures and help scale proven climate adaptation solutions. This dual track approach seeks to drive impact and provide long-term sustainability. 

Through this challenge, we seek to:  

  • conduct a market mapping of child-centric climate innovators operating across emerging markets
  • create capacity by offering mentorship and technical assistance from UNICEF Venture Fund experts to selected start-ups, enhancing their investment readiness and potential for future funding. This will comprise:
  • 10 hours of technical mentoring consisting of open source, business development, frontier technology, software development and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mentorship
  • additional support to understand and navigate the UNICEF Venture Fund sourcing and selection process
  • highlight investable solutions that demonstrate public good and market opportunity

The UNICEF Venture Fund is particularly seeking solutions that:      

  • address challenges to accelerate results for children
  • are optimized for low-resource environments (e.g., low connectivity or limited mobile access)
  • focus on reducing, rather than widening, inequalities, delivering results for diverse users and communities
  • can deliver in multiple languages, including local and less used languages 

Find out more and apply here.

Deadline: October 21, 2025

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