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Hindu Kush Himalaya Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE) is Now Open!
HKH-ICE seeks to empower entrepreneurs from Bhutan, Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts only), India (Himalayan states only), and Nepal to develop innovative, climate-resilient solutions in the agriculture, water security, and sustainable tourism sectors.
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, known as the “Third Pole,” sustains life for over 240 million people in the mountains and 1.65 billion downstream. With its rich biodiversity and vital ecosystems, the region is home to the world’s largest ice reserves outside of the polar regions and supports Asia’s major food-producing river systems. However, the region faces severe challenges, including climate change, ecosystem degradation, and water scarcity, which threaten its agricultural systems, tourism, and overall resilience. There is a significant gap in climate finance to address these issues, and local entrepreneurs lack the resources needed to drive green and resilient innovations.
In response to these challenges, GRP and ICIMOD have come together to launch the Hindu Kush Himalaya Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE). This initiative, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is designed to mobilise local innovation and entrepreneurship, driving scalable solutions that address ecological, market, and value chain challenges across the region.
HKH-ICE seeks to empower entrepreneurs from Bhutan, Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts only), India (Himalayan states only), and Nepal to develop innovative, climate-resilient solutions in the agriculture, water security, and sustainable tourism sectors. The challenge will support initiatives that leverage the region’s untapped potential for sustainable economic growth and environmental conservation while addressing the urgent need for climate adaptation and resilience.
We are looking for innovative, scalable solutions that enhance resilience for communities and ecosystems across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. Initiatives can focus on:
HKH-ICE is open to for-profit organisations, local entrepreneurs and innovators from Bhutan, Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts), India (Himalayan states), and Nepal.
Winners will receive tailored mentoring, leadership development, communications, and resource mobilisation support. Additionally, they will receive prizes ranging from USD 5,000 to 25,000 to further develop and scale their solutions. Shortlisted applicants will also benefit from a leadership academy and capacity-strengthening initiatives with regional and global experts.
Guideline for applicants Application form
Please email any questions to challenge@globalresiliencepartnership.org.
