Applications Invited for the Hindu Kush Himalaya Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE) 2.0

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About the Organization

The Global Resilience Partnership advances resilience through identifying and scaling on the ground innovation, generating and sharing knowledge, and shaping policy. Resilience underpins sustainable development in an increasingly unpredictable world. We envisage an inclusive world in harmony with nature, that is better prepared to cope with shocks, adapt to change, and transform – all within planetary boundaries. GRP is made up of diverse organisations that have joined forces to work together towards this vision.

GRP operates as a partner organisation through two distinct yet aligned organisational units, one located in South Africa, through the independently registered GRP Non-Profit Company (GRP NPC), and the other in Sweden, through the Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC). While they share a unified vision and mission, each operates as a separate legal entity.

About the Fellowship

Together with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), we are pleased to launch the second round of HKH-ICE.

Ready to innovate? The second round of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE 2.0) is calling on entrepreneurs from Bhutan, Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts only), India (Indian Himalayan Region), and Nepal to develop scalable, market-ready, and ecologically grounded business solutions that can transform the resilience of mountain communities. The Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) are pleased to launch the second round of the HKH-ICE challenge seeks to accelerate locally led, market-ready innovations that strengthen climate resilience across one of the world’s most fragile and strategically vital mountain systems.

HKH- ICE 2.0 aims to support entrepreneurs from Bhutan, Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts only), India (Indian Himalayan Region), and Nepal to develop scalable, market-ready, and ecologically grounded business solutions that can transform the resilience of mountain communities. The Challenge prioritises innovations that address:  i) Critical ecological and market constraints across HKH value chains. ii) Mobilise new forms of local entrepreneurship, technology, and regenerative practices. iii) Strengthen resilience for the most climate-vulnerable populations. iv) Deliver measurable benefits for biodiversity, ecosystem health, and nature-based economies. v)Advance gender equality, youth leadership, and inclusive economic participation.

Call focus:

We are looking for innovative, scalable solutions that enhance resilience for communities and ecosystems across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. For example, initiatives can focus on (but are not limited to) :

• Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature: Solutions that reduce the vulnerability of mountain agriculture to climate impacts, enhance biodiversity, improve rural incomes, and create market linkages for high-value niche products and non-timber forest products (NTFPs).
• Water Security and Resilience: Initiatives that address water scarcity, improve water management and services, and mitigate the effects of glacial melt, floods, droughts, and urbanisation.
• Climate-Resilient Sustainable Tourism: Models that promote sustainable ecotourism, benefiting local communities while preserving and restoring fragile mountain ecosystems.
• Climate Risk and Community Resilience: Solutions that reduce vulnerability to climate hazards in mountain regions through climate-resilient housing, improved risk-informed settlement planning, and inclusive support for climate-affected mobile or displaced populations.

Winners:

Winners will receive tailored mentoring, leadership development, communications, MEL,  and resource mobilisation support. Additionally, they will receive prizes ranging from USD 5,000 to 25,000 to further develop and scale their solutions.

Eligibility

HKH-ICE 2.0 is open to for-profit organisations, local entrepreneurs and innovators seeking to implement projects in Bhutan, Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts), India (Himalayan states), and Nepal.

HKH ICE 1.0 winners are not eligible to apply for HKH ICE 2.0.

How to Apply

Application Form

Guidelines

Application window open from 15 December 2025 to 16 January 2026.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified in February 2026.

Please email any questions to challenge@globalresiliencepartnership.org.

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Entrepreneurship Environment and Sustainability Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Innovations and Technology Others