⚠ Summarised by AI based on an external source. Last updated: 19 May 2026. Starthubs is not liable for any inaccuracies. Always consult the official challenge information.
UNDP has launched its second global innovation challenge: build the open-source digital platform that lets people in crisis-affected communities report damage in real time. The winning solution combines on-the-ground reports — photos, short damage descriptions and geolocated infrastructure — with satellite analysis to give governments and humanitarian partners a faster, clearer picture of where help is needed most in the critical first 48 hours after an earthquake, flood, hurricane, wildfire or conflict. A $50,000 prize is on offer for the solution that meets the technical and operational requirements, with a real prospect of follow-on collaboration with UNDP to deploy it worldwide. Submissions close 23 June 2026.
What is UNDP looking for?
The challenge asks Solvers to build and demonstrate a prototype app at minimum TRL 4 that lets communities upload photos of affected infrastructure, submit short descriptions categorising the level of damage, and geolocate critical areas using accessible digital channels (mobile apps, web platforms or messaging services). The system should be highly user-friendly, operate both online and offline, ensure data security and privacy, and use open-source methods so it can be replicated and integrated by other agencies. Solutions that incorporate analytics on submitted data, AI-informed analysis, or integration with satellite and GIS systems will be preferred.
Submissions must include three components:
- A written proposal outlining the approach, tools used and accessibility for community use
- An interactable prototype or wireframe of the tool, at minimum viable product level
- A demonstrated use case as a pitch video or online tutorial (max. 2 minutes) showing: capture and display of a photo, description and damage classification mapped to building location; secure anonymised storage; and export of data in a structured format
Evaluation runs in two phases. After the challenge closes on 23 June, UNDP experts and partners review submissions and notify a shortlist by 23 August. Shortlisted Solvers then pitch directly to UNDP, after which finalists are tested and a winner selected. A second informational webinar is scheduled for 21 May 2026; the first webinar recording and a Q&A document are available via the Innocentive challenge page.
Who is this for?
- Startups, scale-ups and digital developers building open-source tools for crisis response, humanitarian aid or civic tech
- Teams with expertise in mobile and web development, offline-first design, geolocation, GIS, satellite data integration or AI/ML analytics
- Researchers and SMEs comfortable working under open-source licensing
- Globally open via Innocentive's solver community of 500,000+ problem-solvers — Dutch participants welcome. UNDP's previous Innocentive challenge attracted 385 solvers from 61 countries
What's in it for you?
- $50,000 USD prize awarded to the solution that best meets the technical and operational requirements
- Shortlisted Solvers pitch directly to UNDP experts and partners
- Opportunity for ongoing collaboration with UNDP to further develop and deploy promising solutions, making community-powered crisis data available to humanitarian and development partners worldwide
- Visibility within UNDP's global Crisis Bureau network, the Wazoku Innocentive community and SeaFreight Labs
- Access to a Find-a-Partner channel for teaming up with complementary expertise before submission