Finalists of the Climate Smart Cities Challenge are unveiled!

UN-Habitat and Sweden today announced the innovative companies that will demonstrate cleantech solutions in four world cities.

A total of 45 finalists were selected from nearly 200 proposals that were reviewed by an expert advisory panel, the cities, and the Climate Smart Cities Challenge partners.

Applications were evaluated based on three criteria:

• whether they were ready to be demonstrated in a real-world environment
• were well-suited to join a team
• have great potential to achieve impact

The solutions proposed by teams of innovators will tackle specific challenges in four cities (Bogotá, Bristol, Curitiba and Makindye Ssabagabo) such as freight mobility and affordable housing.

Take a look at the finalists list below, then find out what each of the teams are doing on our finalist page.

Over the next four months finalists will be able to work with city stakeholders to fine-tune solutions, adapt to the city context, and form relationships among other finalists to build towards creating a team of complementary partners.

In June 2022, up to four winning teams will be announced at the World Urban Forum in Katowice, Poland. The winning teams will share up to 300,000 EUROS in a planning phase to build towards demonstrating their solutions in the cities in 2023, with the ultimate aim of creating solutions that will create better futures in cities around the world.

“It is crucial to rethink the way we design, manage, and plan our cities, to enable them to perform in a way that contributes to meet the target of a carbon-free world. The Climate Smart Cities Challenge provides a platform for collaboration and co-creation, to find innovative solutions that contribute to a better urban future.” said UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

“Cities and communities are central to achieving the necessary climate transition, which is why initiatives such as the Climate Smart Cities Challenge are important to contribute to climate neutrality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through innovative solutions”, said Darja Isaksson Director General of Vinnova – Sweden’s Innovation Agency

“We are delighted to move on to the next stage of the challenge and continue to demonstrate our commitment to addressing the twin challenges of the housing crisis and the climate emergency. We look forward to working with the finalists in developing innovative solutions for building good quality homes for people to live in, while reaching net zero carbon as quickly as possible in the build process.” Said Bristol Councillor Tom Renhard, Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes.

“The seamless selection process of innovators, presents Makindye Ssabagabo City a realistic opportunity to practically test its ideas and plans regarding affordable carbon neutral smart homes during the upcoming system demonstration phase.” Said Ssemwanga Godfery, Mayor of Makindye Ssabagabo.

“We are very grateful to all those who participated in this important challenge for Bogota. We are proud to see that this challenge underscores the attraction that Bogota holds to those interested in technological innovation against climate change. Without a doubt, the selected proposals will help to achieve more intelligent management of freight transport, to continue reducing the city’s environmental impact. We wish all the finalists the best of luck and we can assure them that they will have the city’s support throughout the process.” Said Carolina Urrutia Vásquez, Bogota’s Secretary of Environment.

“It is in cities that life happens. The best ideas, presented to Curitiba in the Climate Smart Cities Challenge, will reinforce our city’s public policies in favor of urban and human sustainability. Curitiba is a fertile ground for innovation.” Said the mayor of Curitiba, Rafael Greca.