Applications Invited for UNICEF Sustainable WASH Innovation Hub

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About the Organization

UNICEF Office of Innovation co-creates to discover, iterate and scale innovative solutions for every child everywhere, demonstrating UNICEF’s public sector leadership.

Achieving the child-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 calls for accelerated progress. At UNICEF innovation is a driver for transformative change.

In a collective movement with innovative minds across industries and generations, the Office of Innovation and our network of collaborators across 190 countries co-create to discover, iterate and scale solutions and approaches making social impact for this and coming generations.

Our expansive network provides us a global footprint with access to authentic insights, to ensure innovation is crafted and tested collaboratively – with and for the end users.  From children and young people, to community health workers, teachers, parents, government officials and grassroots activists, our diverse network allows us to address the most pressing issues for young people in all their diversity. 

About the Grant

UNICEF Sustainable WASH Innovation Hub is looking for proven innovative WASH solutions with potential for accelerated scale.

The UNICEF Sustainable WASH Innovation Hub sources, accelerates and scales transformative water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) solutions to drive lasting impact for children and their families.

Solutions within the innovation portfolios are selected based on their potential to accelerate results for children across multiple countries, regions, and potentially globally. The portfolios ensure that innovation is strategic and programme-driven, with a focus on evidence-building and scaling up across multiple geographies.

This Call for Applications is intended to expand the WASH innovation portfolio with solutions that address systemic problems for WASH. We are seeking a diverse range of innovative solutions, including but not limited to programmatic models, private sector approaches, public sector strategies, and other relevant models.

The WASH Innovation Hub is seeking proven solutions addressing one or both of the following innovation challenges:

Strengthening supportive environments for WASH SMEs: -

The Challenge: A lack of supportive environments for WASH small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is limiting their capacity to expand and flourish, hindering their ability to contribute effectively to WASH governance and services.

We are looking for solutions that will address multiple aspects of the challenge, such as:

• Building a stronger ecosystem for WASH SMEs by improving access to finance and investment.
• Strengthening partnerships between WASH SMEs, governments, and large service providers.
• Supporting SMEs in leveraging tools and systems to enhance efficiency and track performance.
• Influencing policies that enable SMEs to formalize, scale, and thrive.

Guiding Questions:

Consider how your approach addresses these questions and enables impact at scale.

Your solution should address multiple of these questions and be adaptable/replicable into new settings.

• How might we connect WASH SMEs with governments, investors, and large service providers to scale solutions?
• How might we help authorities streamline processes for SME formalization, operation, and expansion?
• How might we equip SMEs with tools to improve efficiency, track performance, and attract investment?
• How might we raise awareness among policymakers about the critical role of WASH SMEs and foster collaboration?

Enhancing climate-sensitive data and integration into WASH programming: -

The Challenge: Insufficient climate-sensitive data and an understanding of integrating climate change impacts into WASH programming present challenges to WASH practitioners modeling the long-term sustainability of water resources, impacting the service's resilience.

We are looking for solutions that will address multiple aspects of the challenge such as:

• Improving the collection, analysis, and accessibility of climate-sensitive data.
• Integrating climate change considerations into WASH planning and decision-making.
• Enhancing collaboration with governments, local stakeholders, and organizations to address climate risks in WASH services.
• Strengthening WASH systems to be more resilient to climate variability and environmental changes.

Guiding Questions:

Consider how your approach addresses these questions and enables impact at scale.

Your solution should address multiple of these questions and be adaptable/replicable into new settings.

• How might we improve the collection and analysis of climate-sensitive data for WASH?
• How might we integrate climate change considerations into WASH programming to ensure sustainability?
• How might we foster collaboration among local stakeholders, governments, and organizations to address climate risks in WASH services?

Does your innovation align with these criteria? We want to hear from you!

Why partner with UNICEF:

If you are ready to scale your WASH innovation with UNICEF, here’s what we offer:

• Global reach: Access UNICEF’s networks across 190+ countries, collaborate with field teams, and engage with governments to expand your impact.
• Strategic matchmaking: Connect with ecosystem actors, creating pathways for scale impact through strategic alliances and community engagement.
• Expert support: Gain technical and financial guidance to align your solution with market needs, regulatory frameworks, and best practices.
• Catalytic funding: Access to an initial grant of approximately 150,000 USD in flexible funds to support evidence generation, feasibility studies, and market understanding and assessments.

Eligibility

• Be a Registered Entity: Apply with one lead entity as a registered company, university spin-off, NGO, UN organization or Government agency.  
• Have Financial Viability: Availability of a detailed financial plan and projections for the next 12 months.  
• Address WASH Hub Goals: Solution must clearly tackle at least one WASH Hub Problem Statement.
• Operates in UNICEF Countries: Has demonstrated the impact of the solution or plans to in at least UNICEF Programme Countries, with plans to expand.  
• Commit to Scaling: Be open to broader adoption of the solution including potential uptake of the innovation by others (no IP sharing required).  
• Adhere to UNICEF Policies: Agree to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions of Contract, UNICEF’s Policy Prohibiting and Combatting Fraud and Corruption, UNICEF’s Policy on Conduct Promoting the Protection and Safeguarding of Children, the United Nations Supplier Code of Conduct and UNICEF’s Information Disclosure Policy.

How to Apply

Review the eligibility criteria and complete the application form by 30 April 2025, 11:59 pm CET. Applications must be submitted in English. Selected applicants will hear from us in Summer 2025.

Apply Today

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Tags Children and Childcare Environment and Sustainability Innovations and Technology Sanitation Water Others