Apply Now: Czech Challenge Fund

Deadline: 20-Oct-2026

The Czech Challenge Fund: Innovations for SDGs is inviting proposals for innovative solutions addressing development challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Moldova. Eligible applicants can request between $20,000 and $40,000 for feasibility studies or pilot projects lasting up to 12 months, with at least 20% co-funding required.

About the Czech Challenge Fund

The Czech Challenge Fund: Innovations for SDGs supports the transfer of innovative solutions, technologies, expertise, and knowledge to countries facing specific development challenges. The Fund is a component of the Czech-UNDP Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals. It is financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme’s Istanbul Regional Hub. Projects must respond to development challenges identified by UNDP Country Offices in: - Bosnia and Herzegovina. - Georgia. - Moldova. Purpose of the Fund The Czech Challenge Fund aims to identify, test, and introduce innovative solutions that contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Fund seeks to:

- Transfer useful knowledge and expertise to target countries. - Test innovative approaches to development challenges. - Support solutions that are new to a country or sector. - Demonstrate the feasibility of promising products or services. - Create opportunities to scale up or replicate successful solutions. - Empower marginalized and underserved communities. - Integrate gender sensitivity into project design and delivery. - Promote financially, socially, and environmentally sustainable development. What Is an Innovative Solution? An innovative solution is a new or significantly improved approach, product, idea, technology, process, or service that addresses a specific development problem. Under the Czech Challenge Fund, a solution may qualify as innovative if it is: - Previously untested. - New to the beneficiary country. - New to the relevant sector. - An adaptation of an existing solution for a different context. - More effective, inclusive, accessible, or sustainable than existing approaches. Innovation does not necessarily require a completely new invention. Applicants may adapt a proven solution to address the needs of communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, or Moldova. Types of Projects Supported

The Fund may support:

- Feasibility studies. - Pilot projects. - Testing of new technologies. - Adaptation of existing solutions to local conditions. - Introduction of innovative products or services. - Knowledge and technology transfer. - Demonstration projects with potential for expansion. - Initiatives that can be replicated in other communities or sectors. Every proposed project should demonstrate how the solution can move beyond an initial test and create longer-term development value. Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

- Private-sector entities. - Non-governmental organizations. - Universities. - State institutions. - Research centers. Applicants must have the technical expertise, operational capacity, and relevant experience needed to develop and implement the proposed solution. They must also engage appropriate local partners in the target country to strengthen the project’s viability, local relevance, ownership, and sustainability. Eligible Countries All funded projects must be implemented in one of the following countries: - Bosnia and Herzegovina. - Georgia. - Moldova. Applicants should ensure that their proposed solution responds directly to a development challenge identified for the selected country. Local Partnership Requirement Applicants are required to work with local partners in the country where the project will be implemented.

Potential local partners may include:

- Civil society organizations. - Municipalities and public institutions. - Universities and research organizations. - Businesses and industry associations. - Community groups. - Technical institutions. - Social enterprises. The partnership should contribute to local knowledge, effective implementation, community participation, and the continuation or expansion of the solution after the funded project ends. Funding Amount Each selected project may receive between:

- Minimum grant: $20,000.

- Maximum grant: $40,000.

The requested amount should be realistic, clearly justified, and aligned with the proposed activities and expected results. Co-Funding Requirement Applicants must contribute at least 20% of the total project cost.

The contribution may be:

- Financial. - In-kind. - A combination of financial and in-kind support. In-kind contributions may include eligible staff time, technical expertise, equipment, facilities, materials, or other resources used directly for project implementation. Applicants should clearly explain how their contribution was calculated and how it will support the proposed activities. Eligible Expenses Typical eligible project expenses include: - Staff salaries related to implementation. - Consultancy and expert services. - Small equipment. - Materials and supplies. - Training costs. - Workshop expenses. - Project-related travel. - Other direct costs necessary to test or implement the solution. All expenses should be reasonable, necessary, clearly connected to project activities, and properly documented. Applicants should consult the official guidelines for detailed rules on eligible and ineligible expenditures. Project Duration and Expected Start Date Projects must be completed within 12 months from the date the agreement is signed. Selected projects are expected to begin in April or May 2027. Applicants should prepare a realistic implementation schedule that accounts for: - Partnership development. - Local consultations. - Testing or piloting. - Training and capacity building. - Monitoring and data collection. - Evaluation of results. - Knowledge sharing. - Preparation for scale-up or replication. Key Project Requirements