Call for Applications: Czech Challenge Fund

Objective

• The objective of the Czech Challenge fund: Innovations for SDGs is to facilitate the transfer of know-how and innovative solutions that would address development challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Georgia, Kingdom of Cambodia, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Zambia and contribute to the achievement of SDGs.

Challenges

• Development Challenges per country:
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Circular economy
    • Sustainable management of natural resources
    • Capacity building of the BiH institutions at all levels
  • Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
    • Climate Resilience and Environment Sustainability: with focus on e.g., Access to renewable, affordable, and clean energy, Solar energy solutions, Sustainable urbanization and smart city technologies including strategic benchmarking tools for economic growth via Big Data usage, Dynamic traffic control and intersection coordination, Systems for inspection and maintenance of city infrastructure, Data crowd sourcing platforms.
    • Inclusive Economic Transformation: with focus on e.g., Strengthening the innovation ecosystem targeting the youth, Technologies and tools to facilitate technology transfer and cooperation between universities and industry, Inclusive and innovative finance, Digital payments and innovative finance tools/approaches, Support to SMEs, Sustainable agriculture.
  • Georgia
    • Sustainable Growth: with focus on e.g., Green dimensions of urban development; Public infrastructure and public urban areas; Development to attract/support sustainable ecotourism and sustainable development of space and urban planning; Support for community areas and inclusive spaces.
    • Good Governance: with focus on e.g., Building/support of inclusive society, Democratic participation, Support of the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged people, Protecting and promoting civic space.
    • Rural Development, Jobs and Livelihoods
    • Disaster Risk Reduction and Environmental Protection with focus on e.g., Development of Protected Landscapes and Areas, Waste Management; Exit Single-Use plastics, Air pollution and renewables, Green procurement, Food Waste.
  • Kingdom of Cambodia
    • Sustainable Growth: with focus on e.g., Youth employment, Job creation, Support of youth and women-led enterprises and livelihoods.
    • Green Economy and Circular Economy: with focus on e.g., Climate resilience, Sustainable agriculture.
    • Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: with focus on e.g., Innovative green solutions and energy affordability, Energy efficiency.
  • Republic of Moldova
    • Education
    • Agriculture
    • Rural tourism
    • Inclusion and accessibility
  • Republic of Zambia
    • Good Governance with focus on e.g., support of youth and women-led enterprises and livelihoods, local enterprise development.
    • Nature Resources Management and Renewable Energy with focus on e.g., innovative and new sources of energy, including production, packaging and distribution of the biogas and organic fertilizers.
    • Circular Economy with focus on e.g., Sustainable and climate resilient agriculture, forestry, agroforestry and production of timber, innovations for sustainable river fishing and fish farming, innovation for sustainable beekeeping and access to the markets, support of cooperatives.
    • Climate Resilience & Water Security (droughts, floods, extreme weather patterns affecting water availability) with focus on e.g., Climate Change resilience, adaptation and mitigation. Early warning systems for water-related disasters, water-saving technologies, climate-resilient agriculture, and sustainable groundwater management.

Funding Information

• Estimated prize: Ranging between US$20,000 and US$40,000, the applicants provide co-funding of at least 20% of the total cost of the project.
• Expected date of contract start: February 2025
• Expected length of contract: up to 12 months

Eligibility Criteria

• The eligible applicants include the private sector, NGOs, universities, state institutions or research centres. The applicants are required to engage local partners to assure viability in local conditions and to promote the sustainability and scalability of the solution. Partnership with the local partner needs to be presented in the form of letter of cooperation, memorandum of understanding or similar document signed by both parties.

For more information, visit UNDP.