What is the Climate Smart Cities Challenge?
The Climate Smart Cities Challenge is an open innovation competition to identify climate smart solutions to reduce the climate impact of Bogotá, Colombia; Bristol, United Kingdom; Curitiba, Brazil; and Makindye Ssabagabo, Uganda.
The climate ambitions of these cities include green and affordable homes, net-zero neighbourhoods, improved neighbourhood mobility, sustainable energy, optimized recycling and more efficient urban freight.
The competition asks innovators – technologists, SMEs, developers, finance experts and more – to submit their best ideas and solutions to the unique challenges identified by the four partner cities. We are looking for organizations that can play a role in implementing transformative, real-world projects.
Who are the partners involved in the competition?
Climate Smart Cities Challenge is an initiative from Viable Cities, UN-Habitat, Nesta Challenges, Teknikföretagen, Vinnova, Swedish Energy Agency, Business Sweden, Ignite, Mission Innovation, International Council of Swedish Industry: NIR, Swedish Export Credit Corporation, Smart City Sweden, Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, Swedish Institute, Swedish Secretariat for Expo 2020 Dubai, ABB Group, and Sveriges Allmänna Utrikeshandelsförening. The initiative is being delivered by Viable Cities and UN-Habitat, supported by Vinnova (the funder).
The city representatives involved in the initiative include:
Are there multiple phases to this Challenge? What phase is launching now?
The first stage of the Climate Smart Cities Challenge was a global open call to cities. Cities were invited to tell us about their aspirations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions whilst creating thriving communities. Four cities – Curitiba (Brazil), Bogotá (Colombia), Bristol (UK) and Makindye Ssabagabo (Uganda) – were officially invited in March 2021 to collaborate in the Challenge.
The open innovation competition was launched at Expo 2020 Dubai 3 November 2021. Finalists were announced on 20 January 2022. Now, the finalists are participating in the co-creation phase in collaboration with the partners. In May 2022 the winning teams will be selected to proceed to the system demonstration phase running until the end of 2023.
Can cities still enter to run a challenge?
No, the open call for cities took place from November 2020 – January 2021. The four cities selected are Curitiba (Brazil), Bogotá (Colombia), Bristol (UK) and Makindye Ssabagabo (Uganda) and we are not taking further cities onboard at this time.
What kind of financial support will be offered to finalists?
Following the finalist engagement period, up to one team per city will be invited to progress. The selected teams will share up to 300,000 Euro in a planning phase (to take place June – December 2022) prior to ultimately demonstrating potential solutions in 2023. Teams may also be able to access financial support that cities can help leverage in the system demonstrator phase.
Further information about this and the next phases of the competition will be shared with selected finalists.
What kind of non-financial support will be offered to finalists?
There is an array of non-financial support available to finalists. Each city will be offering significant resource and time to provide support to finalist organizations, ranging from workshops, stakeholder management and access to data. The Challenge partners will also provide an exciting offering of in-kind support, including facilitated matchmaking and team development and profile raising opportunities; see the details on the About the competition page and below.
How were the 45 finalists selected?
Applications to the competition were assessed and reviewed by representatives of the partner organizations and four cities, and with support from external experts.
The city selection panels and Climate Smart Cities Challenge partner organizations selected a cohort of finalists for each city based on the challenge criteria and their suitability to participate in the next phase. It was at the discretion of the partners to decide on the total number of finalists in each city.
If you would like to join the mailing list for the challenge, please sign up here.
What types of organizations can enter?
The Climate Smart Cities Challenge was open to applications globally. The eligibility criteria for the competition, which is now closed, is listed below:
Are there any geographical restrictions?
No. This is a global competition and open to organizations and entities across the world. Please see the full eligibility criteria for additional requirements.
How do I enter the competition?
Visit the How to apply page and click on the Apply button. This will take you to our online application platform where you will be able to make an account and access the application form.
You can save a draft at any time and come back to your application later. Click the “save” button at the bottom of the application form to save your draft. Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. You will not be able to edit your application once it has been submitted.
A PDF of the application form can be found downloaded but please note that all submissions must be made online via the dedicated application portal before 17:00 (UTC) 5 January 2022.
Can you submit more than one application?
Yes, you can submit as many applications as you would like. Applicants must specify which city challenge they are applying for but you are able to submit a separate proposal if you wish to apply to more than one city challenge.
If applying with existing partnerships a separate application must be submitted for each organization involved.
Can you enter in partnership with another organization?
Yes, however we require each organization involved in the partnership or team to submit an application individually. There is space in the application form where you are able to indicate which partners you have applied with.
Will entries to this competition be kept confidential?
Entries and their contents will be visible to the Challenge partners (including the city representatives) behind the initiative in order to manage the competition, subject to appropriate obligations of confidentiality and data protection.
More information on how your personal data is managed is included in the privacy policy.
Do entrants retain their intellectual property rights for their idea?
Yes, organizational intellectual property is protected as part of the application and selection process. Where possible however, we encourage entrants to demonstrate a willingness to follow the principles of open data and open source standards. This is not a requirement for entry, but is looked favourably upon.
What are the key dates for making an application?
The deadline for applications is 17:00 (UTC), Wednesday, 5 January 2022. We will not accept applications after this deadline.
Note that the first 20 applications received for each city, before 23:59 (UTC), Sunday, 5 December, 2021, will receive priority review and the opportunity to attend a 10 minute 1:1 meeting with the city, investors and/or relevant partner organizations in December to soft pitch their concept.
If selected to progress, organizations will be announced on 20 January 2022, at Expo 2020 Dubai. Applicants should only submit if they are able to commit to working with the partners to provide the necessary information ahead of this.
When will applicants be notified of the outcome of their application?
Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by Wednesday 19 January 2022.
Please note if selected to progress organizations will be announced on 20 January 2022, at the World Expo in Dubai. Applicants should only submit if they are able to commit to working with the competition partners to provide the necessary information ahead of this.
What language can I submit my application in?
All applications must be made in English. We will not be able to accept applications in any other language.
I have a question about the competition, how do I get in touch with you?
If you have any further questions related to the competition please contact climatesmart@citieschallenge.org or join the competition.
What are you looking for in an application?
To understand more about the challenge each city has set for innovators, please read their dedicated webpage and background reports:
We highly encourage applicants to read all the information on the competition website, including the FAQs, eligibility criteria, finalist selection criteria, privacy policy and terms & conditions, before completing an application form. All applications will be assessed against the selection criteria. If you have any further questions related to a specific city please contact climatesmart@citieschallenge.org.
How are you defining greenhouse gas emissions?
According to the US EPA, at the global scale, the key greenhouse gases emitted by human activities are:
How do I withdraw my entry?
If you would like to withdraw your entry after submitting please email climatesmart@citieschallenge.org
Can a parent company submit one single application that includes deliveries by one or two subsidiaries or would the subsidiaries have to submit additional applications even though they are part of the same corporate structure?
If the subsidiary organizations will be providing different services/roles as part of your overall proposal then we would kindly ask you to complete a form for each of them. There is space in the application form where you are able to indicate your relationship with the organizations you are applying with.
Can start-ups/businesses which currently only operate locally at the moment apply to the competition?
Yes, we are looking for a variety of solutions and proposals at different stages to apply.
What are the benefits of submitting before 5 december?
Applicants who submit an eligible application before 23:59 (UTC) 5 December 2021 will receive priority review and an invitation to meet with the relevant city stakeholders during the week commencing 6 December 2021.
This is an exciting opportunity for applicants to complement their application form with a short pitch and meet with some of the key decision makers for the competition. This is a limited opportunity working on a first come, first serve basis so we highly recommend submitting an application as soon as possible.
Is there funding / financing available for the system demonstrations?
Selected winning teams will share up to 300,000 Euro in a planning phase (to take place June – December 2022) with the ambition to leverage further investment prior to ultimately demonstrating potential solutions in 2023. Teams may also be able to access financial support that cities can help leverage in the system demonstrator phase.
What are the time and travel commitments for smaller companies to participate during the co-creation phase with the cities?
There are no minimum requirements for finalists to attend meetings or workshops during the co-creation phase, or to travel to the city in person for meetings.
What format or information will be required for the proposals to be submitted in May?
Detailed guidance for the proposal submission will be provided to the finalists. Written proposals will need to describe the composition of the teams and how funds for planning for system demonstration would be used, and align with the winning team selection criteria.
How “new” or “innovative” do solutions need to be? For instance, if we have a product that works already in one city can we apply with that?
We are interested in solutions, products or models that are new or different from what’s already on the market. That may include introducing products to new markets, and/or adapting or scaling solutions to different contexts. We will accept proposals about adapting a solution that already exists in one city to the context of one of the four city challenges.
The criteria says it must be one application per organisation. We work in a highly collaborative way and have a number of partners we would love to work with on this. Is it possible to include other organisations in our pitch?
Absolutely, we would kindly ask your partners to also submit application forms, and there is space in the form to highlight your relationship with your current partners.
It is not clear if the competition is encouraging local based organisations or not really. Some guidance on this would be very welcome.
The challenge is open to all organisations which meet the eligibility criteria so there is no geographical limit on this and local organizations are really encouraged to apply.
If we submit before 5 December, do we get to refine our pitch following feedback from your team, or is it fixed?
Yes, if you think that you would like to edit your application after the pitching opportunity then we can open the submission for editing. You will need to finalize all edits by 17:00 (UTC) on 5 January 2022.
Is the evaluation process similar to that used by Innovate UK?
Applications to the competition will be assessed and reviewed by representatives of the partner organizations and four cities, with support from external experts. All applications will be assessed against the finalist selection criteria on a rolling basis.
Do you have a '1-pager' explaining exactly what this challenge is?
The webpage for each city should provide a good overview of what each challenge is asking for. We do recommend reading the detailed briefs as well for further context.
I'm curious to ask if an innovation out side of the specifications of the city's challenges would be eligible.
As part of the eligibility criteria applicants must specify which city challenge they are applying for and clearly respond to that city challenges as described on the challenge website and in the competition brief.
If we intend to work with our partners, can our applications hold tremendous overlap/similar answers as we are proposing the same idea?
Yes, we understand that if you applying with existing partners then your proposals may be similar. There is space in the application form to highlight who you are partnering with.
I missed the city webinars last week, how can I access them?
You can access all of the recorded city webinars on our website, please see the news tab or follow this link.
Is there any funding for the co-creation phase of the challenge, between January to May 2022, when finalists are invited to form teams?
At this time there is no funding available for innovators between January and May 2022. The winning teams will share up to 300,000 Euro to leverage further investment and build towards system demonstration in 2023 and our finance mobilization ambitions are high.
Our ambition is to mobilize over $300 million in smart climate investments for real change for cities. We have a strong group of organizations part of the Challenge already, and by adding teams of innovators with relevant solutions, we believe that we have a compelling proposition to investors and funders.
We want you to work with us to pitch your solutions to multilateral donors, investment funds, development banks and other funders.
What is the time commitment for this phase?
There is no minimum time commitment for the co-creation phase (January – May 2022). The cities will be offering workshops and meetings with the finalists, and Ignite will be running matchmaking activities to support team creation. These activities will likely consist of a few hours per week at most and will vary throughout the period (some weeks may have no meetings). These activities are optional although it is likely that teams will find participating useful to help them progress to the next stage.
What is the total opportunity to build zero carbon homes in Bristol? I understand there is a brownfield site on which to build a system demonstration, but what is the potential to build on further sites?
As noted, we hope to use the competition to build a system demonstration but we anticipate that if successful there will be opportunity to explore and develop further opportunities in the city – those opportunities will need to be subject to legal and procurement public law process and so we can not make guarantees at this point. However, in terms of the scale of need and opportunity, we believe that is significant. The Mayor has set a target of 1,000 new affordable homes per year to be built in Bristol by 2024. Not all those affordable homes are within the control of Bristol City Council as a large number will be built by social housing providers – but they too (with funding from Homes England) are grappling with the same environmental challenges as regulations shift. In the context of the climate and ecological emergencies there is recognition that new homes need to be designed to the zero carbon agenda. Further, that 1,000 number only represents a percentage of the homes that will be built within Bristol each year and those numbers increase significantly when looking to the West of England Combined Authority.
