The African Cities Innovation Fund (ACIF) is a new grant initiative by the Million Lives Collective in partnership with the Judith Neilson Foundation aimed at accelerating locally‑led, collaborative urban solutions across Africa. ACIF focuses on innovations that promote inclusive, healthy, climate‑resilient, and equitable urban systems for underserved communities. Grants are awarded to pairs of innovators who collaborate with ecosystem partners to design and pilot integrated urban solutions that address systemic challenges.
Benefits
- Flexible grant funding of up to USD 75,000 per selected collaborative partnership.
- Coaching and technical assistance to strengthen project design and implementation.
- Mentorship and partnership facilitation to help scale impact collaboratively.
- Visibility and connections with global development actors via the International Development Innovation Alliance (IDIA) network.
- Opportunity to pilot and refine integrated urban solutions with ecosystem partners such as civil society groups, public sector agencies, or community organizations.
Eligibility
- Solutions must demonstrate ability to impact at least one million urban Africans living on less than USD 5.50/day.
- Must be developed by or implemented in close partnership with nationals of Sub‑Saharan African countries.
- Projects must align with at least one thematic area: Circular production, Climate‑resilient services & infrastructure, Youth employment & mobility,Digital equity, Safe and healthy urban spaces
