Global Disability Fund’s Resilient & Inclusive Cities Hub: $1M in Grants for 5 Innovative Urban Inclusion Projects
Open Call for Small-Scale Innovative Solutions
Launch Date: 1st May 2025 – Deadline: 1st June 2025
About
The Resilient and Inclusive Cities Hub (RICH), hosted by the Global Disability Fund, invites applications for innovative small-scale projects that promote inclusive and sustainable urban development, particularly for persons with disabilities. This call is open to International and National Civil Society Organizations, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), Development Banks, UN Agencies, and Academia with proven expertise in disability-inclusive urban resilience.
Purpose and Focus Areas
The aim of this call is to support five one-year programs, each with a grant of up to USD 200,000. Selected projects must demonstrate innovative, scalable solutions that contribute to more inclusive and resilient cities for persons with disabilities. Proposals should fall under one of the following focus areas:
- New Regulatory and Policy Models
Develop adaptive and person-centered policies that evolve with urban needs and prioritize the rights and needs of persons with disabilities. - Creative Funding Mechanisms
Introduce participatory budgeting and attract private sector investment to finance inclusive urban infrastructure and services. - Innovative Service Delivery Approaches
Redesign service models to be integrated and personalized, ensuring accessibility across sectors like health, education, and social protection. - Cost-Effective Urban and Climate Solutions
Propose low-cost technologies and behavior-based design strategies to improve accessibility and resilience, including inclusive early warning systems.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants must be:
- INGOs
- National Civil Society Organizations
- OPDs
- Development Banks
- UN Agencies
- Academic institutions
Applicants must show experience in inclusive urban development and innovative practices, including use of technology to support disability inclusion. Proposals must be developed in consultation with OPDs and in collaboration with local city authorities.
Application Requirements
Applicants must complete the proposal and budget templates provided in Annexes 1 & 2. Proposals should be submitted to: [email protected] by 1st June 2025.
Key components of the proposal must include:
- Rationale and Geographic Focus: Clear justification for city selection and explanation of how the proposed innovation addresses urban challenges for persons with disabilities.
- Technical Design: Demonstrate a solid understanding of disability inclusion and resilience principles, integrated into project design and delivery.
- Innovation and Cost-Effectiveness: Clearly define what makes the proposal innovative and how it provides value for money.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Evidence of collaboration with OPDs and local governments from the design stage onwards.
- Scalability and Replicability: Highlight the potential for scaling the solution across other urban settings.
Selection Process
The evaluation will consist of two phases:
- Initial Screening: Proposals will be reviewed for compliance with eligibility and submission criteria.
- Technical Review: A panel of five independent experts will score eligible proposals based on the following:
- Problem Identification: Clarity and relevance of the urban disability challenge addressed.
- Intersectional Approach: Consideration of multiple and overlapping identities such as gender, age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
- Innovation: Creativity and adaptability of the solution, including new regulatory, funding, or service models.
- Technology Use: Integration of accessible technologies (where relevant).
- Universal Design: Solutions that benefit all city residents, not just persons with disabilities.
- Participatory Design: Direct involvement of persons with disabilities in solution development.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration: Partnerships across government, private sector, and civil society.
- Adaptability: Flexibility to address various disability types (mobility, visual, auditory, cognitive).
- Data-Driven Methods: Use of smart city tools and data analytics to identify and close accessibility gaps.
- Scalability and Replication: Practical application of the solution in other urban contexts.
Grant Amounts and Timeline
Each selected project will receive up to USD 200,000 and must be implemented over 12 months. The timeline is as follows:
- Call Launch: 1st May 2025
- Proposal Submission Deadline: 1st June 2025
- Proposal Scoring: by 25th June 2025
- Notification of Selected Proposals: 28th June 2025
- Due Diligence and Documentation: July–August 2025
- Fund Disbursement and Program Launch: July–August 2025
Organizations that have not previously received funding from the Global Disability Fund must undergo a due diligence process before funds are transferred. For information and to apply please visit the RICH official website.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring company. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
