Climate-KIC, Europe’s leading climate innovation agency initiated by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), is currently accepting applications for multiple programs designed to accelerate climate action across Europe and Africa. These opportunities range from innovation clusters and accelerator programs to research tenders and ambassador initiatives, offering funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities for individuals, start-ups, and organizations committed to driving climate resilience and sustainable development.

1. Sierra Leone’s Adaptation Innovation Cluster

Target Audience: Organizations and individuals in Sierra Leone’s water, energy, and food sectors
Deadline: October 31, 2025, 23:59 CET
Contact: wef.sierra.leone@climate-kic.org

Program Overview

The Adaptation Innovation Cluster invites organizations and individuals driving climate resilience in Sierra Leone’s Water, Energy, and Food (WEF) sectors to join a collaborative initiative shaping a more resilient future for communities across the country.

This programme brings together diverse stakeholders including entrepreneurship support organizations, businesses, NGOs, investors, academic institutions, and government agencies. Participants work directly in the water, energy, and food sectors or support start-ups and businesses operating in these areas.

The innovation cluster aims to identify needs and co-create solutions that strengthen climate resilience, support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), promote sustainable technologies, and attract private sector investment.

The Challenge

Sierra Leone’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has immense potential to drive climate resilience. However, it remains largely untapped due to structural and capacity challenges. Through a series of central and regional workshops, participating organizations will engage in knowledge exchange, ecosystem building, and collaborative action aligned with Sierra Leone’s National Adaptation Plan.

These efforts will inform future initiatives, including an upcoming Accelerator Programme to advance private sector investment in the WEF sectors.

Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply:

• Organizations or individuals legally registered and operating in Sierra Leone
• Entrepreneurship support organizations, NGOs, commercial businesses, start-ups, investors, academic institutions, and government agencies working to advance climate resilience in the water, energy, and/or food sectors
• Entrepreneur support organizations (incubators, accelerators, start-up associations, universities, or research units) are especially encouraged to apply
• Organizations with experience and/or demonstrated commitment in leading, supporting, and collaborating in problem-solving climate workshops through capacity building, ecosystem development, and fundraising
• Providers of products or services that serve the public good on climate action, environmental sustainability, and entrepreneurship for the water, energy, and/or food sectors
• Organizations with operational capacity to participate effectively in both online and in-person activities, with access to a computer and internet

Benefits

Participants will gain access to:

• Training opportunities (in-person and online) on climate change, adaptation, entrepreneurship, and leadership
• Global and local expertise to strengthen support in adaptation innovations, technology, and business
• Visibility and support to scale adaptation solutions in the water, energy, and food sectors
• Participation in a national platform shaping Sierra Leone’s climate resilience strategy and policies
• Opportunities to connect with stakeholders from across Sierra Leone and lead local clusters alongside local and global partners
• Opportunities to organize entrepreneurship programmes for startups as part of Climate KIC’s global platform

Timeline

• October 2025: Applications received and reviewed by Implementing Partners
• November 2025: Decisions communicated and onboarding begins
• Last week of November 2025: In-person workshop in Freetown
• 2026 to 2029: Regular virtual trainings (every 2-3 months) and in-person Annual National Forums

Application Process

Interested organizations and individuals should complete the online application form by Friday, October 31, 2025. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline, and eligible organizations will be invited to participate in the first sessions starting November 2025.

2. ClimAccelerator 2025: Call for Start-Ups

Target Audience: Climate technology start-ups
Deadline: December 31, 2025, 00:00 CET

Program Overview

ClimAccelerator is a global programme designed to help start-ups innovate, catalyse, and scale the potential of their climate solutions. The initiative transforms cleantech start-ups into successful businesses and harnesses human ingenuity to drive rapid impact and unlock a net-zero, resilient future for all.

Track Record

Over the past 15 years, the accelerator programme powered by Climate KIC has been a major climate innovation solution provider. The programme has scaled globally to break new ground in carbon reduction, adaptation and resilience, and more.

Programme Structure

Climate KIC collaborates with partners across the globe to launch ClimAccelerators throughout the year that span both different themes and geographies. The programme provides start-ups with resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to accelerate their growth and impact.

Application Process

Interested start-ups can check rolling deadlines and apply through the Climate KIC platform. Multiple cohorts are launched throughout the year, allowing flexible entry points for qualifying start-ups at different stages of development.

3. PCP WISE: Water Intelligence Solutions Call for Tenders

Target Audience: Climate services innovators, Earth Observation specialists, AI/data experts, civil engineers, hydrologists
Deadline: January 7, 2026, 17:00 CET

Program Overview

PCP WISE is a Pre-commercial Procurement (PCP) action funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe Programme, with Climate KIC as a partner. On September 5, 2025, the PCP WISE group of 12 buyers officially launched its Call for Tenders to co-develop next-generation water intelligence products and services powered by Earth Observation.

Funding Structure

This three-phase Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) will fund R&D services—from solution design to prototype development and field validation—targeting TRL 8 solutions. The aim is to create innovative EO-powered intelligence tools to monitor the Soil-Water-Vegetation (SWV) system and help predict, prevent, and manage water-related crises such as floods, fires, and droughts.

Focus Areas

The call addresses five critical challenges:

Urban Drought (North-West Europe)
Groundwater monitoring and resilient infrastructure development

Urban Water Excess (East-North Europe)
Flood and stormwater management with real-time tools

Rural Drought (North-West & East Europe)
Wildfire prediction, soil moisture tracking, precision irrigation

Rural Drought/Flooding (South Europe)
Managing seasonal droughts, rainfall, and flood prevention

Rural Drought/Flooding (North Europe)
Groundwater fluctuations, land subsidence, and underground fire risks

Eligible Applicants

The call seeks multi-disciplinary expertise from:

• Civil engineers
• Climate services and technologies innovators
• Earth Observation data specialists and remote sensing companies
• AI/data science experts
• Digital twin/GIS developers
• Hydrologists and environmental modelers
• Meteorologists (short extreme events, climate scenario, and spatio-temporal modelling)
• Legal and contracting experts (European standards, AI, IPR)
• Space data-driven start-ups or consortia combining these skills

Application Process

The PCP WISE website provides detailed information on procurement phases, budget, key dates, eligibility criteria, useful documents, and a link to the application platform.

4. InnoNext: Innovation Internships for EIT Talents and Start-Ups

Target Audience: EIT students, researchers, and supported start-ups
Deadline: July 31, 2026, 00:00 CET
Contact: info@innonext-project.eu

Program Overview

InnoNext, a collaborative initiative powered by the European Innovation Council (EIC), opens opportunities for EIT Community members to participate in fully funded Innovation Internships across Europe. The platform connects graduates from EIT Label programmes and EIT-supported startups with tailored placements that bridge academic talent with business needs.

Info Session: June 12, 2026, at 15:00-16:00

Eligibility

For Talents:

• Students in (and graduates from) EIT Label Masters and Doctoral programmes
• EIT Alumni members
• Participants from other postdoctoral training programmes supported by the EIT Community

For Startups and SMEs:

• Startups and SMEs supported by the EIT Community and its business creation services
• Businesses founded with support from Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs)
• Companies that have partnered with KICs for innovation activities
• Startups or scale-ups with at least one co-founder who is an EIT Alumni member

Benefits

For Talents:

• Apply academic knowledge to real-world business challenges
• Gain valuable entrepreneurial and professional experience
• Build networks within Europe’s innovation ecosystem
• Receive financial support for fully funded internships lasting three to six months

For Startups and SMEs:

• Access highly specialized research talent
• Host internships without financial burden
• Benefit from AI-driven matching system to find aligned candidates
• Gain fresh insights to support product development and scale-up efforts

Application Process

Candidates should check eligibility and register on the InnoNext Platform at www.innonext-project.eu.

5. DesirMED Climate Ambassador Programme

Target Audience: Individuals passionate about climate and nature solutions in Mediterranean communities
Deadline: December 31, 2026, 00:00 CET

Program Overview

Through DesirMED, the EU initiative established to help people in Mediterranean regions adapt to climate change, Climate KIC is seeking 100 climate ambassadors. The programme aims to inspire action and build a community of changemakers across the Mediterranean.

What Climate Ambassadors Do

Climate ambassadors share their stories and experiences to inspire others to take action on climate challenges. This includes solutions such as:

• Mobilizing to plant trees
• Protecting coastal dunes
• Restoring wetlands
• Supporting communities after fires or floods
• Implementing rainwater harvesting
• Building school gardens
• Other community-based climate action initiatives

Benefits

Climate ambassadors become part of a community of 100 changemakers to:

• Exchange ideas and best practices
• Inspire action across Mediterranean communities
• Amplify voices in the fight against climate change
• Participate in Adaptation Festivals and Exhibitions in Greece, Spain, and Cyprus
• Feature stories on the DesirMED platform

How to Apply

Candidates should fill in the application form (available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian) to share information about themselves and submit their story for the DesirMED platform.

Story Format Options:

• A short video
• An audio recording
• A series of photos or images with captions
• A written blog or article (maximum 700 words)

All submissions should be good quality and tell a compelling story about climate action in Mediterranean communities.

About Climate-KIC

Climate-KIC is Europe’s leading climate innovation agency and community, initiated by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The organization mobilizes innovation to address climate challenges and build a sustainable future across Europe and beyond.

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