Call summary :

We are calling for proposals from both non- and for-profi t organisations, local entrepreneurs, and innovators - who are ready to bring forward innovative solutions. Both experienced implementers as well as emerging entrepreneurs implementing in ODA-eligible countries are encouraged to apply. Although the challenge is designed as a competition, the long-term purpose is not to pick winners, but to develop many scalable solutions and initiatives to address the critical challenges faced by urban informal settlements.

The RISE Urban Challenge seeks to convert idea- and concept-level innovative ideas that are meeting resilience needs in urban informality contexts and scale them to sustainable ideas. Proposals should focus on enhancing resilience to those most vulnerable to climate shocks and stresses, promoting gender equity, and preserving biodiversity, while driving sustainable livelihoods and economic growth. This initiative prioritises locally led innovations that build the resilience of women and youth.

The Innovation Challenge will launch on 5 March 2025 with an open call for proposals via GRP’s website and social media. Applicants must submit their proposals by 23:59 GMT on 11 April 2025. The shortlisted Challenge winners will be contacted in June 2025, and successful candidates will receive tailored funding, mentorship, and support to scale their solutions. We will rigorously assess all entries to the Challenge based on criteria including viability, innovativeness, scale of impact and equity. Final Winners will be selected and announced in November/December 2025 and receive a cash prize for up to US$50,000 for 12 months of implementation.

What solutions will we consider?
We are specifi cally looking for solutions that target urban informal contexts. Nearly 1 billion people – one in four urban dwellers – live in urban slums and informal settlements, making them particularly vulnerable to the consequences of (climate) shocks and stresses. While formal settlements have seen improved standards of construction to increase safety, quality, and resilience, the same cannot be said for those living informally. Instead, the void between the two has widened dramatically, exacerbated by increasing uncertainty.

Solutions should help urban communities cope with, recover from, and thrive in the face of uncertainty. Vulnerability to climate risks is extremely skewed across urban populations, with informal workers, residents in informal settlements, migrants and displaced people, as well as young and elderly people facing the triple challenge of higher exposure to climate change hazards, higher susceptibility to damages caused by climate change, and a lesser fi nancial ability to cope and recover from shocks. Eligible initiatives can focus on solutions addressing the following themes, though we welcome wider solutions as well - surprise us:

- Climate risk action: Evidence shows that the top fi ve hazards faced by cities are fl ash/surface fl ooding, heat waves, rain storms, extreme hot days and droughts. We are looking for innovative solutions that build resilience to such climate risks.

- Resilience Retrofit: We seek solutions that play a critical role in developing innovative climate resilient housing retrofits in informal settlements through better design, product and service development, as well as construction and assembly methods.

- Water security: Progress towards resilient water systems can be accelerated by learning from climate mitigation approaches and from innovative investment mechanisms developed by the private sector. Investments in urban water solutions can generate consistent and sustainable returns, unlocking additional fi nancing, while making progress on water resilience goals.

- Urban migration and displacement: The increasing effects of climate change are posing major consequences on human mobility. We are looking for innovative solutions to ensure that migrants have access to safe and affordable services and opportunities to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.