Urban Future Finance Challenge
21 October 2024 @ 8:00 am - 30 April 2025 @ 5:00 pm UTC+1
Are you passionate about urban transformation in the Western Balkans? Are you working on a high-impact and scalable innovative financing solution? Then the BOOST: Urban Future Finance acceleration programme is for you!
Cities in the Western Balkans are finding it tough to secure the funds they need for growth and development. Strict rules, limited budgets, and a lack of interest from investors make it hard to fund important urban projects, especially those that offer immense public value but are low in financial return. On top of that, cities in the region struggle to show the financial value of sustainable projects and to get local communities involved. These challenges are creating significant roadblocks to sustainable, green and inclusive urban futures.
To address these challenges, UNDP is launching the BOOST: Urban Future Finance acceleration programme focused on identifying, further developing and scaling novel financial solutions that can drive urban transformation in the Western Balkan region. The programme is open to startups, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, social enterprises, non-profits, academic institutions, and municipalities. Register for our Q&A session on October 10 @ 11:00 CET, during which you can learn more about the programme and application process.
BOOST will onboard up to 20 teams working on innovative solutions with the potential to unlock urban growth. Selected participants will benefit from a wealth of resources provided by UNDP and our partner SocialTech Lab, an organization working to harness the power of technology & innovation to create ecosystems that foster collaborative entrepreneurship and resilience. The programme will include
- Participation in a four-week BOOSTCamp, featuring an in-person event in November (location to be announced), offering an immersive, hands-on experience with key networking opportunities.
- Tailored training sessions designed to fast-track solutions towards market readiness and scalability.
- Exclusive mentorship from industry experts, specializing in impact measurement, business model development, and innovative financing strategies.
- Matchmaking opportunities with cities ready to test and implement cutting-edge solutions.
- Opportunities to access financial and technical support from UNDP, investors and partners.
- A lifelong alumni network, providing continued support, collaboration, and valuable connections.
If you have any questions regarding the application process or the programme, you can write to [email protected] or join our information session on October 10.
Who can apply
Academic institutions, Financial institutions, Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, Municipalities, Non-profits, Social enterprises, Startups, Universities
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo (as per UNSCR 1244), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia
Eligibility criteria
Stage:
Applicants with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)* or further developed solutions are encouraged to apply.
Location registration:
Applicants must be based in Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo**, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia or demonstrate a clear intention to deploy their solution or project there.
Language:
English
* An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of a product or service that can be created and released to test an idea with real users. It has just enough features to work and solve a specific problem, allowing you to gather feedback and make improvements before investing more time and resources.
** References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
The BOOST: Urban Future Finance acceleration programme is supported and funded by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic.