I am pleased to announce the launch of The GSMA Innovation Fund for Anticipatory Humanitarian Action. The fund will provide grants and additional support to organisations that leverage digital technology, especially mobile, to deliver solutions which anticipate potential humanitarian impacts and enable effective early response. The objective of this new Fund is to test innovative use-cases, partnerships and business models in order to improve access to sustainable digital solutions for those who are vulnerable to humanitarian crises.
As the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance continues to rise, it is more important than ever for the global humanitarian community to anticipate crises, and act early to save lives and reduce suffering. The humanitarian sector is shifting towards anticipatory humanitarian action where possible because of its potential to lessen, or even avoid, the impacts of crises or extreme events. By anticipating, rather than reacting to an extreme event, more lives can be saved, responses can be more cost-efficient, and human safety and dignity can be better protected.
The new GSMA Innovation Fund for Anticipatory Humanitarian Action will support mobile-enabled technologies that can make a significant contribution to the growing shift to anticipatory humanitarian action.
Thanks to our partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), selected organisations will be eligible to a full support package including grant funding of up to £250,000; tailored technical assistance; facilitation of relationships with mobile operators and public sector organisations; peer learning opportunities; and opportunities to increase their visibility to potential investors and partners through GSMA’s events, publications, and social media. For a full view of eligibility criteria, package components and application process, please read our Terms and Conditions.
“We are pleased to support the investment in digital technology that will enable anticipatory humanitarian action. The UK is committed to supporting mechanisms to better manage and anticipate humanitarian emergencies. Acting early can prevent loss of life, protect the safety and dignity of people affected, and prioritise those most in need. Our partnership with the GSMA’s Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Programme helps put our commitments, including in the UK’s International Development Strategy and those with our fellow G7 members, into action.”
-Chris Porter, Humanitarian Head of Profession, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Given the broad and far-reaching potential of anticipatory action, we expect to see a diverse range of solutions, from pre-positioning and early deployment activities, resilience-building focussing on communities vulnerable to crises, to dissemination of early warning messages focussing on the adaptation of existing early warning systems and systems that enhance communication between organisations and affected communities. As such, we are hoping to receive applications from a variety of innovators across multiple regions.
For more information about the Fund requirements and application process, please click here.
