Deadline Date: May 19, 2026
The UNICEF Startup Lab Challenge invites innovators to co-develop practical, context-appropriate solutions that strengthen systems addressing child labour and trafficking in Ghana.
The Challenge focuses on improving early risk detection and prevention at community, household, and sector levels while supporting frontline actors with practical tools that enhance efficiency and follow-up. It also aims to strengthen data systems and interoperability while ensuring child safeguarding and data protection, and to address underlying drivers by linking children and families to education, social protection, child protection, skilling and employment pathways.
The initiative is designed to engage startups and innovators in building solutions that can be integrated into existing government systems and aligned with national action plans. It emphasizes collaboration with government counterparts to ensure that innovations are practical, scalable, and grounded in local contexts. Selected solutions are expected to enhance prevention, identification, referral, and response mechanisms related to child labour and trafficking.
The Challenge aligns closely with Ghana’s national priorities, including action plans aimed at eliminating child labour and trafficking. It promotes multisectoral collaboration, particularly encouraging partnerships between public institutions and private-sector actors. Special attention is given to innovations that support responsible business practices within key supply chains and foster coordination across sectors.
For more information, visit UNICEF.
