The Hindu Kush Himalaya Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE) 2.0 is now open, offering a unique entrepreneurship funding opportunity for innovators working at the intersection of climate resilience, sustainable development, and mountain livelihoods. The HKH-ICE initiative is jointly launched by the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) to support scalable, market-ready, and ecologically grounded business solutions in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.
The HKH-ICE 2.0 challenge builds on the success of its first edition and seeks to strengthen locally led entrepreneurship that can address climate change impacts, food security, water stress, biodiversity loss, and fragile livelihoods across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. By combining innovation funding, mentorship, and technical support, HKH-ICE aims to unlock the region’s untapped economic and ecological potential while placing communities, youth, and women at the centre of climate action.
Background: Why the HKH-ICE Innovation Challenge Matters
The Hindu Kush Himalaya is one of the world’s most critical socio-ecological systems. It is the largest repository of ice outside the polar regions and hosts four global biodiversity hotspots. The region supports over 240 million people living in mountain areas and sustains an additional 1.65 billion people downstream through water, food, energy, and ecosystem services linked to ten major Asian river systems.
However, climate change is placing the HKH under severe stress. Rising temperatures—faster than the global average—are accelerating glacier loss, disrupting rainfall patterns, shrinking water sources, and intensifying climate hazards. These environmental pressures are compounded by socio-economic challenges such as limited market access, underinvestment in green enterprises, and declining traditional livelihoods.
Despite these challenges, the HKH region has enormous potential. Rich biodiversity, indigenous knowledge systems, high-altitude value chains, and a growing youth population provide a strong foundation for resilient, regenerative, and inclusive economic pathways. The HKH-ICE 2.0 Innovation Challenge responds directly to this opportunity by supporting entrepreneurs who can translate local solutions into scalable, market-ready innovations.
About HKH-ICE 2.0 and Its Partners
The HKH-ICE 2.0 is jointly implemented by the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and ICIMOD. The challenge is an initiative under ICIMOD’s Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP) and is funded through the UK International Development’s Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) programme.
This second round of the HKH-ICE Innovation Challenge aims to address persistent structural barriers to entrepreneur-led climate action, including weak market linkages, limited access to finance, and the marginalisation of youth and women innovators. The programme focuses on delivering measurable climate, biodiversity, and livelihood outcomes while strengthening local ownership and long-term resilience.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply and Where
The HKH-ICE 2.0 Innovation Challenge is open to:
- For-profit organisations
- Local entrepreneurs and innovators
Eligible applicants must be seeking to implement projects in the following countries and regions:
- Bhutan
- Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts only)
- India (Indian Himalayan Region)
- Nepal
The challenge is open to entrepreneurs working across diverse sectors, provided their solutions are market-ready, scalable, and ecologically grounded. Applicants must demonstrate the potential to deliver tangible benefits for climate resilience, ecosystems, and vulnerable mountain communities.
Important eligibility note: Winners of HKH-ICE 1.0 are not eligible to apply for HKH-ICE 2.0.
Focus Areas and Types of Innovations Supported
The HKH-ICE 2.0 challenge prioritises innovations that strengthen resilience for communities and ecosystems across the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Proposed solutions may focus on, but are not limited to, the following areas:
1. Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature
- Climate-resilient mountain agriculture
- Biodiversity-friendly farming systems
- Improved rural incomes and market access
- High-value niche products and non-timber forest products (NTFPs)
2. Water Security and Climate Resilience
- Solutions addressing water scarcity and management
- Initiatives mitigating glacial melt, floods, droughts, and urbanisation impacts
- Improved water services for mountain communities
3. Climate-Resilient Sustainable Tourism
- Sustainable and regenerative ecotourism models
- Community-led tourism enterprises
- Ecosystem preservation and restoration linked to livelihoods
4. Climate Risk and Community Resilience
- Climate-resilient housing solutions
- Risk-informed settlement planning
- Support for climate-affected, mobile, or displaced populations
Across all focus areas, HKH-ICE 2.0 prioritises solutions that:
- Strengthen resilience for climate-vulnerable populations
- Deliver measurable biodiversity and ecosystem benefits
- Advance gender equality, youth leadership, and inclusive economic participation
What Winners Will Receive
Selected winners of the HKH-ICE 2.0 Innovation Challenge will receive a comprehensive support package, including:
- Prize funding ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 25,000
- Tailored mentoring and leadership development
- Support in communications and visibility
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) support
- Resource mobilisation assistance to help scale solutions
This blended support model ensures that entrepreneurs not only receive funding but also gain the technical and strategic capacity to grow sustainable, impact-driven enterprises.
Programme Timeline and Important Dates
- Application window opens: 15 December 2025
- Information webinar: 8 January 2026
- Application deadline: 16 January 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Notification of shortlisted applicants: February 2026
All applications must be submitted before the stated deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.
How to Apply: Application Process
Interested applicants must complete the official HKH-ICE 2.0 application form through the Global Resilience Partnership platform. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the application guidelines before submission to ensure all requirements are met.
For additional questions or clarifications, applicants may contact:
this mail address
Apply Here
HKH-ICE 2.0 Application Portal
Why Apply for HKH-ICE 2.0
The Hindu Kush Himalaya Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE) 2.0 offers a powerful platform for entrepreneurs committed to climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive growth. By combining innovation funding with mentorship and regional expertise, HKH-ICE 2.0 enables locally led solutions to scale across one of the world’s most fragile yet vital regions. For entrepreneurs ready to transform climate challenges into resilient opportunities, HKH-ICE 2.0 is a timely and impactful opportunity.