The GSMA Innovation Fund for Humanitarian Challenges is a significant initiative designed to support innovative projects leveraging mobile and digital technology to address humanitarian issues in low- and middle-income countries. Launched by the GSMA, a global trade association representing the interests of mobile network operators worldwide, this fund aims to provide both financial and non-financial assistance to projects focusing on humanitarian challenges.
Amidst the escalating global humanitarian needs, there’s a growing call for inventive, impactful, and scalable responses propelled by mobile and digital technology. The GSMA launched the GSMA Innovation Fund for Humanitarian Challenges on December 11th. This fund aims to offer grants and additional non-financial and technical support to projects harnessing mobile and digital technology. These initiatives are designed to pilot and expand solutions addressing humanitarian challenges in low- and middle-income countries.
The primary goal of this newly established fund is to trial innovative applications, foster partnerships, and explore business models that can enhance access to sustainable digital-driven solutions for individuals affected by, or susceptible to, humanitarian crises. Through this initiative, the aim is to explore and implement solutions that leverage the potential of mobile and digital technology in addressing critical challenges faced by vulnerable communities.
The fund is specifically targeted at supporting initiatives that utilize mobile and digital technology to pilot, test, and scale solutions addressing critical challenges faced by vulnerable populations affected by humanitarian crises. These challenges may encompass various areas, including but not limited to healthcare access, education, livelihoods, disaster response, and refugee support.
Projects selected for funding through the GSMA Innovation Fund receive grants as well as additional technical and non-financial support to facilitate the development and scaling of their innovative solutions. The fund focuses on fostering partnerships, exploring novel use cases, and developing sustainable business models that can effectively deliver digital-enabled solutions to those in need.
By encouraging the deployment of mobile and digital technology in humanitarian contexts, the GSMA Innovation Fund aims to drive impactful, scalable, and sustainable solutions that can significantly improve the lives of individuals and communities affected by humanitarian crises around the world.
The GSMA Innovation Fund for Humanitarian Challenges operates as a catalyst for change, fostering the development and implementation of groundbreaking solutions in humanitarian settings. It serves as a platform to identify, nurture, and support innovative projects that harness the potential of mobile and digital technology to address pressing humanitarian issues.
This fund stands out for its comprehensive support structure, offering not only financial grants but also technical expertise, mentorship, and networking opportunities to the selected projects. The aim is not solely to fund initiatives but also to facilitate their growth, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
By focusing on low- and middle-income countries, the fund targets areas where vulnerable populations face substantial challenges in accessing essential services and support during humanitarian crises. It encourages collaborations among diverse stakeholders—NGOs, mobile network operators, tech innovators, and local communities—to create impactful solutions that can adapt to and effectively address complex and dynamic humanitarian situations.
The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive.
Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Solutions and Events.
Connectivity for Good engages members, governments and civil society, to advance positive policy and spectrum outcomes, facilitate digital innovation to reduce inequalities in our world, and tackle today’s biggest societal challenges such as digital inclusion, climate change and sustainability.
Benefits
Successful projects will receive a grant of between £100,000 and £250,000 to scale their innovation over a 15 to 18 month period.
Requirements For The GSMA Innovation Fund
The Fund is open to applications from for-profit small and growing enterprises (commercially viable start-ups, small and medium enterprises, and social enterprises with up to 250 employees).
Method of Application
Visit The Official Website to Apply
Application Deadline: February 12, 2024.
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