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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan is inviting applications for the Petropavlovsk Urban Resilience Innovation Challenge, a competitive funding opportunity designed to identify and pilot innovative solutions that strengthen urban resilience to climate change and disaster risks in Petropavlovsk, a designated pilot city under a regional Central Asia resilience initiative. The challenge supports practical, scalable, and results-oriented solutions that can be tested under local conditions and potentially replicated in other cities across Kazakhstan. Priority areas include flood and inundation risk reduction, urban water resources management, nature-based solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, local disaster-risk monitoring and forecasting systems, and innovative or digital tools that improve climate and disaster-risk decision-making. Successful applicants may receive up to USD 40,000 per proposal, with up to six awards available under a total funding envelope of USD 240,000. Projects are expected to commence following signature of the Innovation Challenge Agreement and must be completed by 30 July 2027, with an implementation period of approximately 10 months. Funding disbursements will be linked to agreed milestones and verified results.

Eligibility

Applications are open to legally registered entities applying individually or as part of a consortium. Eligible applicants include startups, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), private companies, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, universities, research institutions, innovation centres, technology developers, and individual entrepreneurs. Foreign organizations may participate only through a partnership or consortium led by an entity registered in Kazakhstan. Applicants may submit proposals to one or multiple challenge lots; however, a separate and complete application must be submitted for each lot. All applications must be submitted through the UNDP/Partner Agencies Supplier Portal (Quantum) using the prescribed templates, forms, and supporting documentation. During evaluation, proposals will be assessed based on their level of innovation, feasibility, relevance to the challenge priorities, measurable impact, safety, readiness for piloting, and potential for scaling or replication.

Post Date: October 19, 2026