Application: Start Network’s Climate Resilience Innovation Challenge

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We are pleased to announce that the Start Network Climate Resilience Innovation Challenge is now open for applications.

The Challenge is designed to harness the innovative potential held within the Start Network membership. Led by Start Network, in collaboration with a number of partners, The Challenge seeks to identify and support locally led ideas that can contribute to more resilient communities and humanitarian systems. We aim to support a small portfolio of locally-led solutions that challenge existing models, demonstrate viable alternatives, and foster lasting humanitarian resilience.

Selected organisations will receive seed funding and support to develop and test their ideas through a structured innovation process, working with peers, technical experts and relevant partners

Please make sure that before applying you have consulted the Guidance Document and FAQs which can be found at this webpage:

Once you feel you understand the challenge, please complete this form.

Section 1. Organisation Details

Are you a Start Network member?

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Thank you for your interest. Based on your answer, you do not meet the qualifications to proceed.

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What tier member are you?

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Thank you for your interest. Based on your answer, you do not meet the qualifications to proceed.

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Organisation name

Country of operation

Contact person

Position

Email

Are you applying as:

Local/National memberInternational memberConsortium (i.e. consortium of a local member and an international member)

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If in consortia, who is the lead organisation?

If in consortia, please list all involved organisations

Section 2. Your Idea

The Start Network Climate Resilience Innovation Challenge will select an initial shortlist of around 10 teams who will then participate in bootcamp sessions to refine their ideas.

These teams will then pitch to a judging panel, from which around 4 teams will be selected as the winners.

The 4 winning teams will then enter a 6-month development and experimentation phase receiving both financial and non-financial support:

Seed Funding: Up to £40,000 (GBP)
Innovation & Experimentation: Hands-on guidance to apply structured innovation methods.
Technical Expertise: Direct input from climate resilience specialists and challenge partners.
Peer Exchange: Knowledge sharing and collaboration across challenge teams.
Matchmaking: Connections with relevant networks, organisations, and solution partners.
Learning & Evidence: Support to document key findings, evidence, and progress.

What is the challenge you are seeking to address through your idea? Why does it matter in your context? (max 200 words)

How are you addressing the challenge? (max 300 words)

Describe your solution and the approach you are exploring

How is this different from what has been tried before? What makes it innovative? (max 200 words)

What evidence and learning do you have that your solution works and has potential for creating impact? (max 200 words)

This can be at community, local or system level

What makes this approach locally led? (max 200 words)

Explain who will lead decisions about the problem, solution, testing, definition of success and how local voices are involved?

How would the support from the Start Network Climate Resilience Challenge help your idea? How would you make use of the seed funding and technical support?
(max 250 words)

Thank you for taking the time to apply for the Start Network Climate Resilience Innovation Challenge. Shortlisted teams will be notified by October 24th 2026 via email.