Czech Challenge Fund

Scope of the Tender

The objective of the Czech Challenge fund: Innovations for SDGs is to facilitate the transfer of know-how and innovative solutions that would address development challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, and contribute to the achievement of SDGs.

The eligible applicants include the private sector, NGOs, universities, state institutions or research centres. The non local applicants are required to engage local partners to assure viability in local conditions and to promote the sustainability and scalability of the solution. Partnership with the local partner needs to be presented in the form of letter of cooperation, memorandum of understanding or similar document signed by both parties. The local applicants (organizations from targte countries) are encouraged to engage international partners that can help them with project implementation.

All the details regarding the background of the call, criteria for selection and evaluation can be found in the Terms of Reference (annex 1).

Interested applicants are also invited to attend: 

Target Countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Republic of Moldova.

Interested parties should submit their questions about the tender and application system at least five days prior to the deadline. After this date, no queries will be responded to.

Development Challenges per country:  

Bosnia and Herzegovina    

Industrial and economic Transformation, Circular Economy and Sustainable Value Chains

Including: circular business models; sustainable value chains; resource efficiency; SME competitiveness; industrial decarbonization; innovation in manufacturing; waste management; just transition, including post-mining landscape restoration, mine rehabilitation, methane utilization, brownfield regeneration. 

Innovation, Digital Transformation and Research Commercialization    

Including: Innovation ecosystem; technology transfer; applied R&D; research-industry collaboration; MSME digitalization; Digital Innovation Hubs; digitalization of public administration; data protection and cybersecurity. 

Sustainable Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Solutions     

Including: Smart cities; energy efficiency and energy; e-mobility; sustainable urban solutions; water and sanitation. 

Sustainable Natural Resource Management 

Including: Protected areas; OECMs; sustainable tourism; private sector engagement in nature conservation; disaster risk reduction and resilience solutions. 

Human Capital, Skills Development and Economic Opportunities 

Including: Skills development; youth engagement; consumer awareness; decent work; strengthening innovation capacities; youth employment and requalification/upskilling programmes. 

Institutional Capacity, Good Governance and EU Integration

Including: capacity building of institutions at all levels; governance of innovation systems; policy development; regulatory alignment with EU acquis. 

Georgia

Economic Competitiveness and Business Transformation

Including: Strengthening Georgia’s competitiveness through SME development, industrial modernization, vocational and technical education, and support to innovation and start-up ecosystems, with a strong business sector focus.

Energy Security and Market Alignment

Including: Enhancing energy security and market competitiveness through diversification, energy efficiency, and improved regulatory frameworks, with particular attention to supporting businesses in adapting to evolving international market requirements, including carbon-related trade measures such as CBAM.

Sustainable Tourism and Development of Protected Areas

Including:  Supporting tourism development linked to protected areas and local assets, with a focus on strengthening community-based tourism and creating opportunities for local businesses and service providers, while improving management frameworks and drawing on Czech expertise.

Digitalization and Strategic Communications

Including: Strengthening digitalization and strategic communications to support SME development, improved access to digital services, and more effective engagement between businesses, citizens, and service providers, including the use of data systems and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence

Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management in Remote and Protected Areas

Including: Strengthening preparedness and risk management in remote and protected areas through improved early warning systems, enhanced response capacities, and increased safety for local communities and visitors, building on Czech expertise in fire protection, rescue services, and crisis response.

Waste Management

Including: Strengthening waste management systems and resource efficiency, including hazardous waste management. Supporting improved waste collection, sorting, treatment and disposal practices, particularly in tourism areas and other high-visitor locations, while strengthening technical capacities and regulatory frameworks.

Republic of Moldova   

Digital transformation of agriculture and agricultural governance

Including: Support the modernization of Moldovas agricultural sector through digital public services, farm registries, smart land management, agricultural data systems, innovation, evidence-based policymaking, support of women-led agri enterprises. 

SME competitiveness, innovation, future skills and entrepreneurship

Including: Support the growth and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises through innovation, entrepreneurship, technology adoption, stronger collaboration between businesses, research institutions, educational institutions and public authorities, while fostering future-ready skills and workforce development aligned with emerging economic sectors. Solutions that support SME development, industrial cooperation, technology transfer, industry-academia collaboration, innovation ecosystems, and start-up support to enhance productivity, economic diversification, and job creation. Initiatives promoting youth and womens participation in innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. 

Water management, sustainable energy and circular economy

Including: Support sustainable management of water resources and municipal infrastructure, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen circular economy approaches through integrated waste management, resource efficiency, and environmentally sustainable public services. 

Public administration modernization and local service provision

Including: Support the modernization of public administration through improved local governance, strengthened service delivery models, administrative capacity development, and digital solutions for local authorities. 

(cross-cutting). Innovation, digital economy, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies

Including: Support innovation-driven economic development and digital transformation through stronger collaboration between research institutions, businesses, innovation ecosystems, and public sector actors, while promoting the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to enhance competitiveness, productivity, and public sector performance. 

Expected date of contract start: April/May 2027

Expected length of contract: up to 12 months

Estimated prize: Ranging between US$20,000 and US$40,000, applicants are required to provide co-funding of at least 20% of the total project cost.

Please note:

Interested suppliers must submit their offer directly in the system as instructed in the solicitation document, following the instructions in the available user guide. In case you have never registered before, you can register a profile using the registration link shared via the procurement notice and following the instructions in the guides available on the UNDP website: https://www.undp.org/procurement/business/resources-for-bidders. Do not create a new profile if you already have one. Use the forgotten password feature in case you do not remember the password or the username from the previous registration.

Search for the specific tender using search filters and subscribe to the tender in order to get notifications in case of amendments to the tender document. If you need support with the online system, you can contact the contact details of this tender as indicated in the solicitation document.

Procurement IRH