United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)Competition

Up to $10,000 Youth AI4SDGs Challenge

Dec 31, 2026 23:59:00 Asia/Bangkok

Opportunity type

Competition

Funding

Partially Funded

Location

Global

Deadline

Dec 31, 2026 23:59:00 Asia/Bangkok

About this opportunity

UNDP and the Tencent Charity Foundation are looking for youth-led startups, social enterprises and non-profits in Asia and the Pacific that use AI to tackle development problems: public services, climate resilience, disaster risk and peacebuilding, or disability inclusion. A regional cohort joins a learning programme with training, mentorship and ecosystem connections from March 2027, and participants can then apply for follow-on grants of USD 5,000 to USD 10,000.

What you get:

A regional training programme to strengthen your AI solution, with mentorship and connections to partners working on AI and digital transformation
Regional visibility through UNDP communications and showcase opportunities
The chance to apply for follow-on grant support of USD 5,000 to USD 10,000 after the programme
The chance to apply for free credits for top AI tools
Access to Tencent's innovation ecosystem and its technology experts
Grant recipients are invited to show their solutions in person at the UNDP Regional Youth Summit 2027

What you'll do:

Apply with a written form covering your organisation and team, your AI solution, and its impact and traction
Submit a pitch deck of no more than 10 slides and a video of up to 2 minutes answering two set questions
If selected, take part in the online regional learning programme from March 2027 and in later pitching opportunities

Key dates:

Applications close 31 December 2026 at 23:59 Bangkok time (GMT+7)
Shortlisted applicants contacted by March 2027
Learning programme starts March 2027
Grant recipients showcase at the UNDP Regional Youth Summit 2027

More information:

Call for applications and FAQ: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s_0l-wFtW1QX3RTInZBfFjyGXYAdF1ANGK1l8C1U3kw/edit?usp=sharing
Challenge themes and example problem statements: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wq-Y6Yuw1X2pp2_Si_WDO4Q40gAD_qyc/edit

Who can apply

At least one founder or co-founder aged 18 to 35 at the time of application
The organisation is based in, and delivering its solution within, Asia and the Pacific
For-profit, non-profit or hybrid; formal registration is encouraged but not required
The solution addresses at least one theme: Digital Public Services; Climate Adaptation and Environmental Resilience; Disaster Risk Reduction and Peacebuilding; Disability Inclusion
AI is a core component of the solution
Past the idea stage: at least a functional prototype, an MVP, or a solution tested with users, beneficiaries or customers
At least one founder or co-founder available for the online learning programme and future pitching
The form is completed by the founder or co-founder who will take part

AI Verification

✓ AI Verified

Our AI read the official sources and cross-checked the key facts. Here is what held up, and what it could not confirm.

This opportunity is run by an established organization, and we confirmed its key details against the official source. As always, never share sensitive personal or financial information until you are sure a request is genuine.

LOT Verification ScoreStrong

Cross-checked 12 of 17 key facts

Confirmed Our best read Not stated

Good to know

+A UNDP and Tencent Charity Foundation programme for youth-led teams building AI solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals
+A free learning programme from March 2027 with mentoring and AI tool credits
+Teams can then apply for grants of $5,000 to $10,000 and a showcase at UNDP's Regional Youth Summit 2027
+Unregistered teams can apply, and a phone video is fine

Worth checking yourself

!Only for teams based and working in Asia and the Pacific
!At least one founder must be aged 18 to 35
!You need at least a working prototype, not just an idea
!Applications close 31 December 2026 at 23:59 Bangkok time
!The grant is not automatic: you apply for it after the programme
!Travel costs for the in-person summit are not stated

Sources checked

FOforms.office.comOfficialDOdocs.google.comOfficialDOdocs.google.comOfficialYOyouthcolab.orgOfficialLIlinkedin.comOfficial

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