Deadline: 12 July 2026
The UNHCR Innovation Accelerator is now accepting applications from organizations with proven solutions ready to scale their impact for forcibly displaced and stateless people. This initiative bridges the gap between successful pilot initiatives and sustainable, system-level impact, providing a structured pathway for high-potential innovations to grow and significantly contribute to humanitarian protection outcomes.
About the Accelerator
The Accelerator is a collaborative initiative led by UNHCR Innovation, in partnership with internal and external stakeholders and supported by the Government of Luxembourg. It is designed to help tested innovations move from successful pilot implementation toward sustainable scale and long-term operational impact.
The program recognizes that transformative change cannot be achieved by any one actor alone. Meaningful progress requires collaboration across refugee-led organizations, communities, governments, humanitarian and development actors, academia, and the private sector to collectively shape solutions that are sustainable and scalable.
What Selected Participants Receive
Selected initiatives receive comprehensive support to strengthen their scaling pathway:
| Support Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Technical Guidance & Operational Support | Expertise to refine solutions, adapt to new contexts, and strengthen operational readiness |
| Catalytic Funding | Seed funding (up to USD 250,000 in exceptional cases) to support scaling activities |
| Mentoring | Strategic guidance and partnership development support |
| Partnership Brokering | Connection to refugee-led organizations, donors, researchers, and private sector partners |
| Network Access | Exposure to global humanitarian networks, expertise, and learning opportunities |
| Evidence Generation | Support to capture lessons, measure progress, and build evidence on what works |
| Resource Mobilization | Assistance identifying fundraising opportunities and strengthening pitches |
The funding is intended as catalytic support to help initiatives move into the next stage of growth and scale, prioritizing activities that strengthen meaningful participation and leadership of refugee-led organizations.
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply
The Accelerator is open to organizations working to support forcibly displaced people, particularly those with proven innovative solutions ready for scaling:
- UN agencies
- NGOs
- Refugee-led organizations (RLOs)
- Private sector companies
- Academic institutions
- Development partners
- Community-based organizations
For the full proposal stage, applications must be led by—or jointly submitted with—either UNHCR teams or refugee-led organizations.
Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate the following:
- A proven solution with evidence of successful pilot implementation
- Operational testing and user validation
- A clear pathway to scale
- Strong partnerships and institutional ownership
- Potential for sustainable impact
- Clear articulation of the problem or opportunity affecting forcibly displaced people
Concept-stage ideas are not eligible. The accelerator supports initiatives that have already demonstrated proof of concept and are ready to move beyond localized implementation.
Selection Criteria
Expressions of interest are assessed through a staged process designed to identify initiatives with the following:
- Clear Problem Definition—Relevant problem or opportunity affecting forcibly displaced people, with understanding of underlying barriers
- Proof of Concept – Evidence of real-world implementation, including preliminary results and user validation
- Scaling Readiness – Credible potential for replication, adaptation, or broader uptake across different contexts
- Institutional Ownership – Strong operational anchoring and partnership ecosystem
- Impact at Scale—Meaningful and plausible impact, with age, gender, and diversity considerations integrated
Application Process
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EoI) | Open to all organizations. Submit evidence on proof of concept, operational relevance, scaling ambition, and expected impact |
| Stage 2: Full Proposal | By invitation only. Selected applicants submit detailed scaling proposals |
| Stage 3: Pitch & Selection | Shortlisted teams present initiatives to the Steering Committee for final selection |
Key Dates
- Deadline for Expressions of Interest: 12 July 2026 at 11:59 PM CEST (Geneva time)
- Full Proposal: By invitation only
- Final Selection: Pending
Focus Areas
The Accelerator supports innovations across a wide range of humanitarian and development sectors :
- Refugee protection and forced displacement
- Statelessness
- Digital solutions
- Livelihoods and economic inclusion
- Education
- Health
- Community engagement
- Humanitarian technology
- Sustainable service delivery
How Earth Focus Network Brings This to Our Community
At Earth Focus Network, we believe that environmental and social change is not a solo journey – it’s a collective movement. Opportunities like the UNHCR Innovation Accelerator are exactly the kind of funding and scaling pathways we exist to share with our community of changemakers.
What We Do
- Curate Opportunities – We identify and share grants, funding calls, partnership opportunities, and scaling programs from across the globe
- Amplify Visibility – We use our news media channels, Slack community, and social platforms to ensure our members are the first to know about high-impact developments
- Connect Mission-Aligned Partners – Through smart matching and networking, we connect you with the right organizations, funders, and collaborators
- Build a Regenerative Ecosystem – Every new member strengthens our network effect, creating a powerful, self-sustaining community of changemakers
Why This Matters for Our Members
When you join Earth Focus Network, you gain access to:
- Exclusive funding alerts – Be the first to know about calls like the UNHCR Innovation Accelerator, Sandals Foundation grants, IDB Lab, and more
- Vetted opportunities – We vet every opportunity to ensure they are legitimate and aligned with social and environmental impact
- Global connections – Connect with organizations, investors, and fellow changemakers across continents
- Visibility – Showcase your work to a global audience of stakeholders through our media channels
Join Earth Focus Network – Be the First to Know
Are you a humanitarian innovator, NGO, refugee-led organization, social enterprise, or changemaker working to improve the lives of displaced communities?
Don’t miss out on funding opportunities like this. Members who join today get immediate access to our curated opportunities board, smart matching, and global network.
How to Join
- Join Our Slack Community – Connect with fellow changemakers and start networking immediately
- Create Your Account – Set up your professional profile on the Earth Focus Network website
- Apply for Vetting – Ensure you join a trusted, high-impact community
- Make Your Contribution – Support reforestation and community projects
- Book Your 1:1 Matching Session – Get personalized connections to the right partners and opportunities
- Join Today
✨ Be Part of the Movement
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The planet needs all of us. Earth Focus Network is a living ecosystem of people who refuse to accept the status quo. The time is now.
🌐 Visit us: www.earthfocusnetwork.com
📧 Email us: Info@earthfocusnetwork.com
📌 Apply Now
If you have a proven solution ready to scale and improve the lives of forcibly displaced and stateless people, don’t miss this opportunity.
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