Deadline: August 22, 2025
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has announced the 2025 round of its Refugee-led Innovation Fund, aimed at empowering forcibly displaced and stateless individuals to develop innovative solutions for the challenges they and their communities face.
This unique fund directly supports organizations led by refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, and stateless people, ensuring they take the lead in shaping humanitarian responses that affect their lives.
What’s on Offer?
- Up to $45,000 USD in flexible funding
- Technical support in innovation, legal protection, and project design
- Mentorship and capacity-building from UNHCR experts
- Peer-to-peer networking with other refugee-led groups
- Tools to measure impact and document learnings
- Potential for long-term sustainability and visibility
Who Can Apply?
The fund is open to organizations (not individuals) that:
- Are led by displaced or stateless persons (at least 50% of leadership must have lived experience)
- Are either formally registered or widely recognized within their communities
- Work collectively to address a specific community need through innovation
UNHCR encourages applications from groups led by LGBTIQ+ persons, women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous communities, and other marginalized voices.
What Kind of Projects Are Eligible?
This fund is designed for community-based innovations that offer new approaches to solving local problems. Proposals can span a wide range of areas, such as:
- Access to education or health
- Digital security and expression
- Gender equality
- Climate resilience
- Legal empowerment
Whether tech-based or not, the key requirement is innovation – a fresh and meaningful solution driven by the community itself.
How to Apply?
Interested organizations must submit a proposal online via the UNHCR Innovation platform. The application must describe:
- The challenge being addressed
- The proposed solution
- A clear budget
- The expected impact on the community
The selection process consists of four stages: longlisting, due diligence, pitching, and final review. Only teams that meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate strong innovation potential will advance.
Apply before August 22, 2025
Visit: https://www.unhcr.org/innovation/refugee-led-innovation-fund
If you are a refugee-led group working for justice, freedom, and community empowerment – this is your opportunity to make your vision a reality. Let the world hear your voice.
For assistance or guidance in preparing your application, feel free to contact the HumanRightsAZ.com team.
English (UK) 
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