The Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) has launched a call for proposals to support bold, locally led innovations across the Global South. This initiative seeks transformative solutions that strengthen resilience, protect ecosystems, and create sustainable opportunities for communities facing complex challenges.

The Innovation Challenge is designed to address the interconnected crises of the 21st century, including climate change, pandemics, extreme weather events, financial shocks, conflict, and food insecurity. These global pressures disproportionately affect communities in the Global South, creating a landscape where uncertainty is the norm and innovative, adaptable solutions are critical.

Thematic Challenges

Proposals are welcomed from both non-profit and for-profit organizations, local entrepreneurs, and innovators. Emerging leaders and experienced implementers alike are encouraged to apply. Each challenge prioritizes locally led initiatives that build resilience among women and youth, ensuring that over 50% of beneficiaries belong to these groups.

The Innovation Challenge features three thematic areas:

  • Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature (RAIN) Rural Challenge
    • Identifies and scales nature-positive agricultural solutions that deliver ecological and livelihood benefits.
    • Dedicated funding is earmarked for East African countries.
  • Resilience Innovation in Informality through Scaling Entrepreneurship (RISE) Urban Challenge
    • Supports grassroots groups, urban start-ups, and social enterprises addressing challenges in informal urban environments.
    • Focuses on practical, locally led approaches to improve urban resilience.
  • Technology for Evolving Challenges in Humanitarian Contexts (TECH)4Resilience Challenge
    • Encourages the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize humanitarian preparedness and response.
    • Particular interest is given to TECH4Nature solutions, with funding emphasis for Southeast Asian innovators.

Who Should Apply

The challenge targets innovative individuals and organizations with the capacity to deliver meaningful, scalable impact:

  • Local entrepreneurs and social enterprises driving resilience solutions.
  • Non-profit and for-profit organizations with demonstrable innovation.
  • Innovators focused on sustainable livelihoods, ecosystem protection, and inclusive economic development.
  • Solutions that prioritize women, youth, and marginalized populations.

Awards and Benefits

Selected winners will receive tailored support to scale their solutions, including:

  • Funding: Up to USD 50,000 per project for implementation in 2027.
  • Mentoring: Guidance on project development, leadership, communications, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL).
  • Networking: Access to potential partners, investors, and peer innovators.
  • Capacity Building: Participation in a Virtual Leadership Academy and induction workshops to strengthen project management and implementation skills.

The funding will support implementation for 12 months, from January to December 2027, following an initial mentorship period and leadership training.

Application Guidelines

Applicants are encouraged to review the official Challenge Guidelines, which detail eligibility criteria, application requirements, and examples of innovative solutions.

Application requirements include:

  • Submission via the consolidated Submittable form.
  • Only one proposal per organization is accepted, though organizations may participate as partners in additional proposals.
  • All applications must be submitted in English.

Timeline

  • 1 May 2026: Call for proposals opens.
  • 13 May 2026, 15:00 CEST: Informational webinar for potential applicants.
  • 22 May 2026, 23:59 GMT: Deadline for submissions. Late applications will not be accepted.
  • End of June 2026: Applicants will be notified of results.
  • June – mid-September 2026: Project development support provided to selected applicants.
  • 6–9 July 2026: Virtual Leadership Academy.
  • November 2026: Winners announced at COP31.
  • 2026–2027: Ongoing mentoring, communications, and MEL support.
  • Q1 2027: Induction workshops for winners.

Partners and Support

The Innovation Challenge is supported by:

  • Trafigura Foundation
  • Shockwave Foundation
  • Munich Re Foundation

Collaboration also involves the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the SEACAR alliance.

About Global Resilience Partnership

The GRP operates through two aligned units:

  • GRP NPC in South Africa
  • Stockholm Resilience Centre, Sweden

The organization works to strengthen resilience across vulnerable communities globally, promoting solutions that are locally led, inclusive, and scalable.

For inquiries, applicants may contact [email protected].

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

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