Reimagining our future beyond
Covid-19!

Join us in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic with BOOST, a UNDP platform that amplifies innovative solutions.

Explore Challenges

Overview

Covid-19 will have a long-term impact on the future of our economy, work, governance, and health. BOOST is a regional acceleration program for social impact innovation with a mission to tackle Covid-19 challenges and create a more sustainable future.

BOOST is designed to prepare organizations and companies to roll out innovative local solutions in the fields of digitalization, low-touch economy, and well-being addressing development issues stemming from the pandemic. Applicants can apply to challenges and access a total of $400,000 in funding, join our UNDP-backed network, and receive support from peers, funders, and experts.

Open for applications from private sector entities, research institutes, academia, and civil society organizations, BOOST is looking for solutions that can be implemented and scaled in Europe and Central Asia. BOOST is a joint initiative by UNDP Europe and Central Asia with partners across the region and beyond, including Koç Holding, Slovak Ministry of Finance, Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and others.

How BOOST works

BOOST in numbers

$400,000 Prize Funding
3 Challenges
15 Prizes Available

Issue Areas

We are looking for innovative solutions to the following issues that have accelerated as a result of the pandemic.

New Digital Services & Voice

To respond to the emerging inequalities and needs across different sectors, we are looking for innovative digital solutions that are inclusive – from reimagining banking for the unbanked to new forms of organizing and citizen engagement, as well as community-led service provision.

Low Touch Economies

To foster economic growth, we are looking for solutions that introduce new ways of production/consumption and support contactless economies, remote delivery services, and remote work opportunities.

Well-being

To support the well-being of individuals and communities, we are looking for innovative solutions that promote individual connection and psychosаocial well-being, and other holistic ways of improving resident well-being.

See all the challenges and apply

Challenges

There are no current or upcoming challenges.
All challenges

Why Boost

Top Mentor Pool

The program aims at providing solutions to the current Covid-19 crisis which are scalable in developing countries by launching a challenge for applicants to submit their innovative ideas for fast response and post-Covid-19 recovery; to increase community resilience and to support vulnerable people to cope with the pandemic.

Tailored Program & Coaching

Participants will be guided in all phases of their BOOST journey based on the needs assessment upon onboarding. Your mentors and advisors will be aligned to the needs of your initiative.

Funding Opportunities

The BOOST accelerator brings a wide pool of partners and donors and at the end of the program, participants will pitch their ideas in front of a jury. BOOST fellows can win up to USD 10,000.

Access to the UNDP network

The program will leverage the UNDP global presence (+170 countries) and networks to help support the selected participants to scale-up to new country markets.

Partners

Startup grind