UNDP-BOOST Solutions for COVID-19 open for application

UNDP Europe and Central Asia recently launched regional acceleration program BOOST that uses social impact innovation to tackle Covid-19 challenges. BOOST supports emerging solutions in the region in the areas of digitalization, low-touch economy, and wellbeing. It is designed to prepare organizations and companies to roll out solutions that tackle the long-term impact of Covid-19 on the future of economy, work, governance and health.

BOOST is open for applications from private sector entities, research institutes, academia and civil society organizations to submit solutions that can be implemented and scaled in Europe and Central Asia. The application will compete for open challenges to access a total of $400,000 in funding and join UNDP-backed network, and receive support from peers, funders, and experts.

Three open challenges are designed and published, out of which Innovation Challenge Fund (open for the private sector, including social enterprises, civil society organizations, and academia in Europe and Central Asia - see list of countries and territories here) is open for Montenegro institutions. The Polish Challenge Fund (institution based in Poland that will implement their project in one of the partner countries: Ukraine or Republic of Belarus) and Civil Society Technology Challenge (open for civil society organizations in Turkey) are partner specific.

Applicants will be able to apply to open challenges by extended deadline of September 30, 2020.