Hindu Kush Himalaya Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE) 2.0 by Global Resilience Partnership & ICIMOD – Entrepreneurship Funding for Climate-Resilient Innovation

The Hindu Kush Himalaya Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE) 2.0 is now open, providing a novel entrepreneurship funding alternative for innovators working on the intersection of local weather resilience, sustainable improvement, and mountain livelihoods. The HKH-ICE initiative is collectively launched by the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) to assist scalable, market-ready, and ecologically grounded enterprise options in one of many world’s most climate-vulnerable areas.

The HKH-ICE 2.0 problem builds on the success of its first version and seeks to strengthen regionally led entrepreneurship that may tackle local weather change impacts, meals safety, water stress, biodiversity loss, and fragile livelihoods throughout the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) area. By combining innovation funding, mentorship, and technical assist, HKH-ICE goals to unlock the area’s untapped financial and ecological potential whereas putting communities, youth, and ladies on the centre of local weather motion.

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Background: Why the HKH-ICE Innovation Challenge Matters

The Hindu Kush Himalaya is among the world’s most crucial socio-ecological programs. It is the biggest repository of ice exterior the polar areas and hosts 4 world biodiversity hotspots. The area helps over 240 million folks dwelling in mountain areas and sustains an extra 1.65 billion folks downstream via water, meals, vitality, and ecosystem companies linked to 10 main Asian river programs.

However, local weather change is putting the HKH underneath extreme stress. Rising temperatures—quicker than the worldwide common—are accelerating glacier loss, disrupting rainfall patterns, shrinking water sources, and intensifying local weather hazards. These environmental pressures are compounded by socio-economic challenges reminiscent of restricted market entry, underinvestment in inexperienced enterprises, and declining conventional livelihoods.

Despite these challenges, the HKH area has monumental potential. Rich biodiversity, indigenous information programs, high-altitude worth chains, and a rising youth inhabitants present a robust basis for resilient, regenerative, and inclusive financial pathways. The HKH-ICE 2.0 Innovation Challenge responds on to this chance by supporting entrepreneurs who can translate native options into scalable, market-ready improvements.

About HKH-ICE 2.0 and Its Partners

The HKH-ICE 2.0 is collectively carried out by the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and ICIMOD. The problem is an initiative underneath ICIMOD’s Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP) and is funded via the UK International Development’s Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) programme.

This second spherical of the HKH-ICE Innovation Challenge goals to handle persistent structural boundaries to entrepreneur-led local weather motion, together with weak market linkages, restricted entry to finance, and the marginalisation of youth and ladies innovators. The programme focuses on delivering measurable local weather, biodiversity, and livelihood outcomes whereas strengthening native possession and long-term resilience.

Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply and Where

The HKH-ICE 2.0 Innovation Challenge is open to:

• For-profit organisations
• Local entrepreneurs and innovators

Eligible candidates have to be looking for to implement tasks within the following international locations and areas:

• Bhutan
• Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts solely)
• India (Indian Himalayan Region)
• Nepal

The problem is open to entrepreneurs working throughout various sectors, offered their options are market-ready, scalable, and ecologically grounded. Applicants should exhibit the potential to ship tangible advantages for local weather resilience, ecosystems, and weak mountain communities.

Important eligibility notice: Winners of HKH-ICE 1.0 are not eligible to apply for HKH-ICE 2.0.

Focus Areas and Types of Innovations Supported

The HKH-ICE 2.0 problem prioritises improvements that strengthen resilience for communities and ecosystems throughout the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Proposed options could concentrate on, however aren’t restricted to, the next areas:

1. Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature

• Climate-resilient mountain agriculture
• Biodiversity-friendly farming programs
• Improved rural incomes and market entry
• High-value area of interest merchandise and non-timber forest merchandise (NTFPs)

2. Water Security and Climate Resilience

• Solutions addressing water shortage and administration
• Initiatives mitigating glacial soften, floods, droughts, and urbanisation impacts
• Improved water companies for mountain communities

3. Climate-Resilient Sustainable Tourism

• Sustainable and regenerative ecotourism fashions
• Community-led tourism enterprises
• Ecosystem preservation and restoration linked to livelihoods

4. Climate Risk and Community Resilience

• Climate-resilient housing options
• Risk-informed settlement planning
• Support for climate-affected, cell, or displaced populations

Across all focus areas, HKH-ICE 2.0 prioritises options that:

• Strengthen resilience for climate-vulnerable populations
• Deliver measurable biodiversity and ecosystem advantages
• Advance gender equality, youth management, and inclusive financial participation

What Winners Will Receive

Selected winners of the HKH-ICE 2.0 Innovation Challenge will obtain a complete assist bundle, together with:

• Prize funding starting from USD 5,000 to USD 25,000
• Tailored mentoring and management improvement
• Support in communications and visibility
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) assist
• Resource mobilisation help to assist scale options

This blended assist mannequin ensures that entrepreneurs not solely obtain funding but in addition achieve the technical and strategic capability to develop sustainable, impact-driven enterprises.

Programme Timeline and Important Dates

• Application window opens: 15 December 2025
• Information webinar: 8 January 2026
• Application deadline: 16 January 2026, 23:59 GMT
• Notification of shortlisted candidates: February 2026

All purposes have to be submitted earlier than the said deadline. Late submissions won’t be thought of.

How to Apply: Application Process

Interested candidates should full the official HKH-ICE 2.0 application type via the Global Resilience Partnership platform. Applicants are inspired to rigorously evaluation the application tips earlier than submission to make sure all necessities are met.

For extra questions or clarifications, candidates could contact:
this mail tackle

Apply Here

Why Apply for HKH-ICE 2.0

The Hindu Kush Himalaya Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE) 2.0 presents a robust platform for entrepreneurs dedicated to local weather resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive development. By combining innovation funding with mentorship and regional experience, HKH-ICE 2.0 allows regionally led options to scale throughout one of many world’s most fragile but very important areas. For entrepreneurs prepared to remodel local weather challenges into resilient alternatives, HKH-ICE 2.0 is a well timed and impactful alternative.

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