IFAD Moonshots for Development Challenge
Goals & Objectives
The Moonshots for Development (M4D) initiative by IFAD, in collaboration with other multilateral development banks, focuses on leveraging innovative technologies to tackle global development challenges. The primary aim is to identify and scale AI-driven solutions that enhance climate resilience, resource management, and disaster preparedness in rural areas.
Focused Areas & Countries
The initiative targets rural communities across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, focusing on sectors like agriculture, natural resource management, and disaster risk reduction.
Strategy
M4D operates through a series of open innovation challenges, inviting innovators to propose solutions that use AI and other emerging technologies. It fosters collaboration among innovators, development practitioners, and rural communities to build long-term climate resilience.
Funding Eligibility Requirements
Open to start-ups, NGOs, research institutions, and other organizations capable of developing innovative, AI-based solutions for rural climate resilience.
Co-Funding Requirements
There is no explicit requirement for matching funds, but collaborations with other funding bodies and private sector partnerships are encouraged to enhance project impact.
Specialized Eligibility Requirements
Innovations must align with ethical AI usage principles and focus on tangible, scalable impacts on rural communities.
Call for Proposals Requirements
Innovators are invited to submit proposals that address the specified focus areas, including AI applications for agriculture and disaster risk reduction. Proposals should demonstrate how they will contribute to building resilience in rural areas.
Proposal Evaluation Criteria
Proposals are evaluated based on their innovation, potential impact, scalability, and alignment with the M4D goals. A panel of experts reviews the submissions to select the most promising ideas for funding and capacity-building support.
Other Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to collaborate with local communities and stakeholders, ensuring that the solutions are culturally and contextually appropriate.
Listed Initiatives & Application Open Dates
The most recent challenge focuses on AI for climate resilience, with ongoing events and pitch sessions to select and support winning proposals. Dates for future challenges are announced periodically.
Past Awarded Projects
Past initiatives have supported a range of innovative projects, including risk-sharing mechanisms for rural finance and digital platforms for financial inclusion. Specific details about awarded projects and their impact are highlighted in event announcements and IFAD’s annual reports.
Project Examples
Projects funded by IFAD’s Moonshots include AI-driven solutions for climate resilience, agricultural innovations, and rural finance mechanisms in Africa and Asia.
Awardees
Partners include research institutions like CGIAR and development organizations such as the World Bank’s Technology and Innovation Lab.
Contact Information
Specific contact details are usually available through the project announcements on IFAD’s website or through partner organizations​