On September 23, 2024, The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Europe and Central Asia announced a strategic partnership with Cyprus’s SocialTech Lab to deliver the ‘BOOST: Urban Future Finance’ acceleration programme. The programme focuses on identifying, developing, and scaling innovative financial solutions that drive urban transformation in the Western Balkans. This collaboration brings together UNDP’s development expertise and SocialTech Lab’s innovative approach to technology and entrepreneurship, aiming to transform urban development in the Western Balkans.
This partnership marks a significant milestone for SocialTech Lab – a Cyprus-based organisation working at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and peacebuilding – as it expands its work beyond the island to support innovative solutions and contribute to sustainable development in neighboring regions. By bringing its expertise to the Western Balkans, SocialTech Lab aims to empower local changemakers and help transform urban development through tailored accelerator design and implementation.
BOOST: Urban Future Finance
BOOST will onboard up to 20 teams working on innovative solutions with the potential to unlock urban growth. Selected participants will benefit from a wealth of resources provided by SocialTech Lab and their partner UNDP.
The programme will include;
- Participation in a four-week BOOSTCamp, featuring an in-person event in November (location to be announced), offering an immersive, hands-on experience with key networking opportunities.
- Tailored training sessions designed to fast-track solutions towards market readiness and scalability.
- Exclusive mentorship from urbanists, industry experts and top-tier companies such as Microsoft, specializing in impact measurement, business model development, and innovative financing strategies.
- Matchmaking opportunities with cities ready to test and implement cutting-edge solutions.
- Opportunities to apply for an award totalling up to $30,000, with the chance to pitch at our Demo Day in April 2025.
- Opportunities to access financial and technical support from UNDP, investors and partners.
- A lifelong alumni network, providing continued support, collaboration, and valuable connections.
Eligibility Criteria
- Stage:
Applicants with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)* or further developed solutions are encouraged to apply. - Location registration:
Applicants must be based in Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo (as per UNSCR 1244), Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia or demonstrate a clear intention to deploy their solution or project there. - Language:
English
Apply Now!
Do you want to change the way you finance urban development? Applications are open until October 21, 2024. For more information and to apply now, visit: https://bit.ly/3XGD3Vg
For any questions about the application process or the program, feel free to contact us at hello@socialtechlab.org or boost@undp.org.
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1References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
The BOOST: Urban Future Finance acceleration program is supported and funded by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic.
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