UNDP has published the BOOST: Urban Future Finance Programme Report, presenting the results of a regional acceleration programme that supported 19 organizations from six Western Balkan countries to develop and scale innovative solutions for financing sustainable urban development.
Cities across the region face persistent barriers to funding green and inclusive urban solutions – including constrained public budgets, rigid financing rules, limited investor appetite, and difficulties in demonstrating the economic and social value of sustainability outcomes. At the same time, the programme revealed growing momentum around new urban finance approaches that combine digital tools, civic participation, and innovative financing models to unlock capital, reduce risk, and engage communities more directly in urban transformation.
Through an open call, the programme selected a diverse cohort of startups, SMEs, nonprofits, academic institutions, and municipalities working across sectors such as energy transition, circular economy, civic tech, smart cities, climate finance, and digital public services. Participants took part in a tailored acceleration journey combining structured training, one-to-one mentorship, and peer learning, with a focus on SDG impact management, innovative financing, digital transformation, and business model development.
The programme culminated in a Demo Day, where 11 of the 16 graduating organizations pitched their solutions to an international panel of experts and investors. A total of US$30,000 in equity-free financial awards was distributed, with three winning teams receiving US$10,000 each to further develop and scale their solutions. By the end of the programme, 100% of graduating teams had advanced in their development stage, and all of them reported increased readiness to engage with cities, partners, and potential funders.
The report provides a detailed overview of the programme’s structure, cohort composition, learning outcomes, and performance metrics, alongside participant feedback and reflections on challenges such as aligning innovation with municipal needs and navigating the complexity of urban finance. It also captures lessons learned to inform future efforts to better connect urban innovation, public value, and sustainable finance.
The programme, financially supported by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic and implemented in collaboration with SocialTechLab, is part of UNDP’s broader work on mobilizing finance for the Sustainable Development Goals and supporting cities in advancing inclusive, climate-resilient, and people-centred urban transformation across Europe and Central Asia.