Launched in 2024, the IOM Innovation Facility creates an enabling environment to collaborate, ideate and develop innovative solutions that can transform the way we address migration challenges.
The IOM Innovation Facility is a dynamic platform that supports novel and transformative initiatives on migration. By offering seed funding, building innovation capacities, and nurturing an innovation ecosystem, it enables the creation and expansion of impactful and innovative projects. The Facility's approach centers on fostering partnerships and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring that innovative ideas can be effectively piloted and scaled to drive system-wide solutions.
The Facility accelerates progress toward the achievement of the IOM Strategic Plan 2024 – 2028 and the broader UN 2.0, transformative goals in fostering the use of different approaches for greater effectiveness, impact, and sustainability. It also advances IOM's commitment to global frameworks, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM).
We call on innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to bring forward groundbreaking innovations to address complex and systemic migration-related challenges.
Do you have an innovative idea?
Eligibility Criteria
All Member States, non-IOM Member States, migrants and their communities are beneficiaries of the Facility. Applications for funding can only be submitted by IOM Offices, or by IOM Headquarters’ departments, in coordination with the relevant Country and Regional Offices.
Innovation Criteria:
- Novelty
- Effectiveness
- Sustainability
- Accessibility and participatory
- Scalability and transformation
Offered Benefits
Innovation projects selected through the Facility can receive funding between USD 50,000 and USD 80,000. Maximum duration for each project is 12 months. In addition to the funding, the IOM Innovation Facility offers an ecosystem of services through the Innovation and Knowledge Management unit to maximize development impact of every selected project. This includes:
- Capacity development
- Networking
- Technical Support
- Knowledge Exchange
- Recognition
Application Process
The application process is as follows:
- Call for Innovation Ideas launched on 23rd September 2024.
- Attend any one online webinar to learn more about the Innovation Facility and its application process.
- Register for Webinar 1: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (CEST) on 26th September 2024
- Register for Webinar 2: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (CEST) on 26th September 2024
- Submit your Innovation Ideas by 25th October 2024 using the Call for Innovation Ideas application form.
- Shortlisting of Innovation Ideas by the Core Review Committee and Thematic Specialists in IOM.
- Announcing shortlisted Innovation Ideas on 11th November 2024. Shortlisted teams will be invited to submit a detailed Innovation Proposal.
- Attend 1-1 clinics & Innovation Capacity Building Workshops with Thematic specialists, innovation experts, and IKM unit to develop your Innovation Proposal
- If shortlisted, submit your Innovation Proposal by 15th December 2024 through your partnered IOM office.
- Shortlisting of Innovation Proposals by the Core Review Committee and Thematic Specialists in IOM.
- Funding approval for shortlisted Innovation Proposals by the Deputy Director General, Operations, and the Director for the Department of Data, Insight & Policy Coordination.
- Announce final Innovation Proposals selected for funding by 15th January 2025.
For more information, contact
