Grant opportunity
UNICEF StartUp Lab Reducing Single-Use Plastics through WASH and Social Behaviour Change Innovation Challenge 2026
UNICEF StartUp Lab is calling for Ghana-based innovations that reduce, replace, reuse, collect or recycle single-use plastics in WASH systems while shifting behaviour.
- Funder
- UNICEF StartUp Lab / UNICEF Ghana
- Applications close 23 July 2026
- Applications close 23 July 2026: Jul 23, 2026
- Award
- USD 5,000 cash prize, mentorship, data support and opportunity to pilot within UNICEF WASH and community programmes
- Applicant
- Innovators, startups, social enterprises and changemakers in Ghana with practical solutions for reducing single-use plastics in the WASH value chain.
- Discipline
- Environment, Climate and Natural Resources
- Region
- Ghana
- Posted
- Jul 23, 2026
Call summary
Overview
This UNICEF StartUp Lab challenge seeks scalable, locally viable solutions that reduce single-use plastic pollution in Ghana's water, sanitation and hygiene systems.
Who can apply
The challenge is aimed at innovators, startups, entrepreneurs, social enterprises and changemakers able to pilot practical WASH and behaviour-change solutions in Ghana.
What it supports
- Sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.
- Social and Behaviour Change approaches to shift consumption and disposal habits.
- Closed-loop collection, reuse, reduction, replacement and recycling systems.
- Scalable models that align with Ghana's National Plastic Management Policy and public-sector WASH systems.
Funding and duration
- Selected innovation receives a USD 5,000 cash prize.
- The package includes mentorship, data support and the opportunity to pilot within UNICEF WASH and community programmes.
Applications close 23 July 2026
Applications close 23 July 2026: Jul 23, 2026
How to apply
Use the official UNICEF StartUp Lab application link before 23 July 2026 and prepare evidence of innovation, feasibility, behaviour-change strategy and potential environmental impact.
Call details
Source-based overview
UNICEF StartUp Lab is inviting innovators to address single-use plastics through WASH and Social and Behaviour Change innovation. The call seeks solutions that improve collection, reuse, reduction, replacement and recycling of plastics while protecting children, strengthening sanitation systems and supporting circular economy approaches in Ghana.
Eligibility
The challenge is aimed at innovators, startups, entrepreneurs, social enterprises and changemakers able to pilot practical WASH and behaviour-change solutions in Ghana.
Funding and benefits
Selected innovation receives a USD 5,000 cash prize.
The package includes mentorship, data support and the opportunity to pilot within UNICEF WASH and community programmes.
Themes and supported activities
Sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.
Social and Behaviour Change approaches to shift consumption and disposal habits.
Closed-loop collection, reuse, reduction, replacement and recycling systems.
Scalable models that align with Ghana's National Plastic Management Policy and public-sector WASH systems.
Deadline and timeline
Applications close 23 July 2026: Applications close 23 July 2026: Jul 23, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Use the official UNICEF StartUp Lab application link before 23 July 2026 and prepare evidence of innovation, feasibility, behaviour-change strategy and potential environmental impact.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.