The objective of the Polish Challenge Fund is to facilitate the transfer of the Polish know-how and innovative solutions that would address development challenges identified by UNDP Country Offices in Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
The eligible Applicants include Polish private sector entities, research institutes and universities. The Applicants are required to engage local partners to assure viability in local conditions, and to promote sustainability and scalability of the solution.
All of the call background, criteria for selection and evaluation details can be found in the call for proposals and its attachments.
Locality: Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine
Development Challenges:
Challenge 1 – Green Technologies & Smart Solutions: Introducing or improving the current state of green technologies and other smart solutions, which have positive impact on local communities and industries, in the field of energy efficiency, waste management, water management, smart water solutions, air pollution or sustainable agriculture.
Examples:
- Smart clean water solutions for local communities and industries (e.g. sewage treatment plants; installation of solar vacuum collectors for water heating).
- Biomimicry and/or nature-based solutions to address climate change and biodiversity crises in general; and to reduce air pollution, waste- and water-related problems in particular.
- Green technologies for energy efficiency in public buildings (e.g. managing energy efficiency, consumption and costs by intelligent motion detectors and monitoring systems).
- Waste management with special focus on elimination of plastic use (e.g. promoting biodegradable products) or sustainable agriculture.
Challenge 2 – Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): Introducing or improving the current state of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and/or open data use for public services or local governance.
Examples:
- Citizen-centric local governance through innovative technology – develop solutions for the improved governance for the municipalities.
- ICT solutions for better public service delivery.
- ICT for sustainable tourism development.
- Enhanced business continuity in public administration through cloud services and cybersecurity standards.
- Early warning system about climate-related risks at the level of local or regional community.
Challenge 3 – Anti COVID-19 Solutions: Introducing or improving the current state of digital and emerging solutions/technologies to address development issues resulting from the global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, for public services or local governance.
Examples:
- Digital technologies and knowledge/solutions for safe back-to-office and back-to-school.
- Digital technologies and knowledge/solutions to accelerate digital literacy of public schools, teaching staff and students.
- Digital technologies and knowledge/solutions to integrate use of big data into statistical works and to overcome challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Psychosocial well-being during extended remote working, teaching and studying.
- Technology and smart solutions for social distancing and COVID-19 safe tourism, economic recovery and well-being beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ICT for COVID-19 vaccine promotion and for confronting misinformation about vaccines.
- Addressing root causes of COVID-19 (and other zoonoses) – e.g. deforestation, destruction of natural habitats and biodiversity loss.
- Addressing COVID-19 related waste problems (e.g. masks).
Challenge 4 – Smart Cities: Introducing or improving the current state of smart cities and urban intelligence to address growing urbanization challenges for public services or local governance.
Examples:
- Efficient use of infrastructure through artificial intelligence and data analytics.
- Gender-responsible solutions and technologies for improved public spaces.
- Technology and data innovation for road and travel safety (e.g. adjusting light cadence and timing to respond to real-time traffic, reducing road congestion).
- Solutions to promote cycling and green mobility in urban areas.
- Smart and inclusive tourism infrastructure and services with focus on persons with disabilities.
- Solutions for urban transformation of the coal-dependent (mono-functional) cities (technological, social, cultural, political and economic).
Expected contract start date: February 15, 2022
Expected contract length: 7-12 months
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.
The Applicants must submit their proposals using the templates for the Application Form (in Annex 3) and Budget Breaksdown Form (in Annex 4).
The Application should be sent to procurement.irh@undp.org under the title “UNDPIRH-CFP-202106 Polish Challenge Fund Autmn” by Monday 20 December, 2021 at 11:59 PM CET.
