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Pooja Sreenan, Aakanksha Singh, Amr Sharaf and others are enlisted in the challenge
AI for Climate Resilience in Rural Areas
AI for Climate Resilience in Rural Areas
Harness AI for rural resilience. Make a real impact with your solution and receive equity-free seed funding for pilot testing, get coached by industry experts, and gain access to other opportunities.
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Welcome to the future of rural climate resilience!
Are you ready to pioneer innovative AI solutions that combat climate change's impact on vulnerable communities? Join us in the "AI for Climate Resilience in Rural Areas" Innovation Challenge, a Moonshots for Development initiative powered by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform, Asian Development Bank (ADB), IDB Lab, World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator, and World Bank Technology & Innovation Lab.
Climate change is one of the most critical challenges of our time, particularly for rural communities in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond. These regions, deeply connected to agriculture and nature, are disproportionately vulnerable to climate's unpredictability, such as extreme weather events, water scarcity, and disruptions in food production and face increasing challenges to their resilience and livelihoods. AI's potential for resilience stands as a beacon. Imagine AI deciphering climate patterns, empowering communities to preempt risks, and optimizing resource use through precision agriculture.
In this challenge, we are looking for ethical, AI-driven solutions that nurture climate adaptation, resource management, and disaster readiness in rural communities. Specifically, this challenge asks participants to answer:
How can we effectively leverage AI-driven solutions that prioritize ethical considerations to empower rural communities in vulnerable regions, enabling them to adapt to climate change and build long-term climate resilience?
Join the AI for Climate Resilience in Rural Areas Innovation Challenge for the chance to be one of the three (3) companies to receive up to US$50,000 seed funding to test your solution in a selected region together with one or more of the sponsoring organizations and be the driving force in shaping climate-resilient rural communities.
Target Areas
The challenge will focus on the following key areas where AI can play a transformative role in enhancing climate resilience in rural communities:
CLIMATE-SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Innovative AI applications that support climate-resilient agricultural practices (mitigation and adaptation); optimize resource use, crop monitoring and management for better yield prediction; support disease detection and diagnosis for preventing widespread outbreaks and minimizing yield losses and, thereby enhancing food security and rural livelihoods.
NATURAL RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT
AI-driven solutions that help manage water resources, forests, and biodiversity effectively, promoting sustainable resource use and ecosystem conservation in the face of climate change.
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS
Ethical AI applications that strengthen disaster risk reduction strategies and early warning systems, enabling timely response and preparedness for extreme weather events and climate-related disasters.
Incentives for Participants
9 LONGLISTED TEAMS
- Longlisted teams and their solutions to be featured in the website of the Moonshots for Development (M4D) Alliance.
- M4D Onboarding bootcamp
- Self-assessment with fAIr LAC S3 tool (IDB Lab)
- Pre-vetting: Longlisted firms to be assessed by IFAD for eligibility to receive seed-funding.
3 SELECTED SOLUTIONS
Seed funding for pilot testing: Access to equity-free seed funding up to US$50,000 for up to three selected solutions sponsored by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Coaching (IFAD and World Bank Technology & Innovation Lab).
Knowledge and Networking Opportunities: Access to knowledge sharing events, international fora and collaboration opportunities hosted by the sponsoring organizations.
Top three ranking teams to receive:
- Coaching by a dedicated Lean Innovation expert sponsored by IFAD.
- 45-minute Life-Cycle Analysis coaching calls with the IFAD Innovation Team/IFAD innovation partner to help identify barriers or challenges in Stage 1.
OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Seed funding for a solution in Asia: Access to equity-free seed funding up to US$50,000 for piloting one (1) selected solution in Asia in one of the ADB developing member countries. Note: To be eligible the company must be from one of the ADB Member Countries.
Potential matching to IDB LAB’s investment pipeline
Potential equity-free grant of up to US $10,000 for one innovation relevant to a CGIAR Research Program or Project. The selected solutions could be considered for funding only if there will be able a clear avenue for collaboration with existing AI related programme and projects at CGIAR.
- Opportunity to collaborate with CGIAR programs and projects team
- Benefit from CGIAR coaching and technical assistance
1 SELECTED SOLUTION FOCUSED ON SDG2: ZERO HUNGER
Access to WFP Innovation Accelerator Sprint Programme:
- Dedicated Innovation Consultant providing project management guidance and guiding on enablers for scalability.
- Access to need-specific coaches from the WFP Innovation Accelerator broad innovation ecosystem
- Access to Sprint Expert Series delivered by recognised topic-experts
- Exposure to investment opportunities
Timeline
Why should you participate in this challenge?
Selected teams will have access to a wealth of opportunities:
- Equity-free seed funding for pilot
- One-week onboarding bootcamp organized by the challenge sponsoring organizations
- Exposure to investment avenues
- Coaching from M4D member organizations and industry experts
- Making an impact!
This isn't just a challenge; it's a transformative call to action. Secure seed funding to pilot your AI solution in a chosen region. Your innovation could be the catalyst that propels rural communities towards climate resilience.