About The Challenge
The Eco-Innovation Challenge (EIC) is the flagship innovation component of Blueing the Black Sea: a GEF regional project, implemented by the World Bank and executed by UNOPS.
The Challenge aims to identify, support, and scale eco-innovations that reduce key sources of pollution affecting the Black Sea. Civitta contributes to this initiative in its role as International Accelerator.
All submitted eco-innovations in either window must address one of the following four critical pollution problems through either prevention at the source or remediation of existing pollution:
- Agricultural & Livestock run-off
- Municipal wastewater
- Chemical and Industrial Pollution (including non-hazardous war-related pollution)
- Marine Litter
Two Application Windows
- USD 50,000 – 300,000 in grant funding support
- 12 months of technical and business support from an International Accelerator company to execute your project in Georgia, Moldova, or Türkiye
- Direct access to local markets and matchmaking with potential partners
- Expert guidance to build a scalable business case
- Up to USD 20,000 in-kind technical assistance over 6 months
- World-Class Mentorship to de-risk and validate your idea, including concept refinement, prototyping, business model development
- Training to prepare for major funding and future investment
- High-profile regional exposure and matchmaking with potential partners
- A strategic growth opportunity to lower entry barriers in new markets
Who Can Apply
Applicants from any World Bank–eligible country may participate through one of two distinct windows, each with specific eligibility and focus requirements:
1. BBSEA Focus Country Window
- Eligible Applicants:
Registered legal entities with demonstrated organizational capacity, such as Start-ups, SMEs, Universities, NGOs, and Public entities globally. - Geographic Scope:
Applicants must propose project implementation in Georgia, Moldova, or Türkiye. - Capacity:
Applicants must demonstrate adequate financial and administrative systems to manage a grant. - Infrastructure:
Projects are limited to low-risk infrastructure or minor installations posing low-to-moderate environmental/social risks.
2. Greater Black Sea Window
- Eligible Applicants:
Early-stage innovators and individuals, including Individuals, Entrepreneurs, Early-stage Start-ups, and Research Teams globally. - Project Focus:
Proposals should be in a conceptual, pilot, or prototype stage and not yet ready for direct in-country implementation. - Support Offered:
Winners receive bespoke in-kind technical assistance from an international accelerator to develop their innovation further.
Language Requirement: All applications must be submitted in English.
Timeline and Selection Process
