Join our work on tech for adaptation finance in Viet Nam and the Philippines: grant applications now live 💡
We are now accepting grant applications from innovators who are developing tech solutions to unlock adaptation finance and strengthen MSME resilience in Viet Nam and the Philippines.
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Who we are
The Adaptation Innovation Lab proves that technology-powered climate adaptation solutions can attract private investment and scale.
Backed by the Frontier Tech Hub (UK FCDO, Brink, DT Global, Results for Development), the Lab supports innovators to design, test, and de-risk technological tools that help societies withstand climate shocks and keep economies growing.
The Challenge
Viet Nam and the Philippines are among the world’s most climate-exposed economies. Typhoons, flooding, drought and rising seas repeatedly hit their coastlines and cities, eroding livelihoods and GDP.
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—which make up roughly 97 % of businesses in Viet Nam and 99.5 % in the Philippines—are the backbone of jobs and trade, yet also the most vulnerable. MSMEs can incur damages of up to 70–80% of their revenue in a single season.
Most MSMEs in both economies lack reliable access to formal finance, leaving them unable to invest in adaptation measures that could protect their businesses. Existing financial products often miss the mark and don’t meet MSMEs needs – e.g. insurance uptake remains very low, and banks require collateral MSMEs cannot provide. As a result, MSMEs face frequent climate risks but rely on short-term, reactive coping strategies such as sandbagging shopfronts, moving stock to higher ground, or pumping out water after floods. Without new approaches to unlock finance for adaptation, MSMEs will remain stuck in a cycle of reaction rather than proactive investment in resilience.
MSMEs face climate risks without the financial tools to prepare or recover. At the same time, rapid digital transformation - from fintech platforms to AI-driven analytics and innovative insurance models - is creating new opportunities to close this gap. By harnessing these tools, we could expand access to adaptation finance, enabling MSMEs to invest in preventative and anticipatory measures rather than relying only on reactive coping.
Our Solution
The Lab’s goal with this call is to grow tech solutions that pair climate adaptation with financial resilience.
By funding and de-risking them, we help innovators prove their models and crowd in private capital – turning them into investable, scalable mechanisms to channel funding into adaptation.
Focus Area and Priorities for this Call for Applications
With this call, we therefore want to back teams of tech innovators that combine climate adaptation measures with financial resilience solutions for MSMEs in Viet Nam and the Philippines.
This could look like:
Satellite-enabled parametric insurance
Digital payments of anticipatory aid/cash
Early warning systems that trigger micro-loans and credit solutions to prepare for, and rapidly respond to, climate shocks
AI insights on sustainable coastal engineering
and much more; we’re open to hearing your ideas.
Why now:
Viet Nam and the Philippines’ growing fintech sector presents new tools, including digital payments, AI-based credit scoring, and parametric insurance, to meet adaptation finance needs.
The Lab can test and de-risk these innovations, making adaptation finance solutions investable and scalable.
By addressing this central barrier, the Lab aims to enable MSMEs to invest in resilience, protect livelihoods, and maintain economic growth.
We are particularly interested in solutions addressing the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems
While solutions addressing any relevant adaptation finance challenge are welcome, the Lab is particularly interested in projects that strengthen resilience in coastal communities and ecosystems. Coastal areas in Viet Nam and the Philippines are highly exposed to climate shocks such as typhoons, flooding, sea-level rise, and extreme heat, which threaten both natural habitats and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them. Pilots that enhance the adaptive capacity of these ecosystems — and the people and businesses that rely on them — are especially encouraged.
These priorities were co-designed with investors, governments, and NGOs to match market needs and create clear pathways to scale.
Will you help us build that better future?
We are looking for pilots that test and grow high-potential, tech-enabled solutions. Pilots should focus on addressing barriers to adaptation finance or actively unlocking new & innovative finance mechanisms for adaptation, using technology and innovation to de-risk solutions and attract private investment.
Eligibility Requirements
Organisations must have a staff presence and the ability to deliver work in Viet Nam and the Philippines – in Viet Nam, this is likely to involve having an existing legal registration.
Pilots can be delivered by single organisations or consortia/partnerships, with one lead organisation submitting the application.
Multiple applications are permitted, provided each proposal addresses a distinct solution or pilot, and therefore an organisation can receive multiple grants for different applications.
Applicants may implement pilots in either or both countries.
Successful applications will demonstrate:
1. Clear Problem Statement
The application identifies a problem causing significant negative impacts — for example, the number of MSMEs affected, the severity of losses from climate shocks, or the costs associated.
The problem statement is specific enough to be actionable, credible, and grounded in the local context, acknowledging barriers and root causes that may limit what the solution can realistically achieve.
2. The Solution
Clarity: The solution is clearly defined, including the role of technology, people, processes, data, and funding needed to deliver and sustain it. Potential users are identified, and the solution is feasible and viable.
Value Proposition: The solution directly addresses the identified problem in ways that are unique and additive, with clear pathways for adoption by stakeholders such as MSMEs, governments, investors, or NGOs. It is designed to deliver scale, intensity, or both of impact.
Vision for Scaling: Applicants can outline an initial approach for scaling and sustaining the solution beyond the pilot, while acknowledging major assumptions and risks.
Responsible and Inclusive: Applications consider potential negative impacts or exclusionary effects and outline ideas to mitigate these risks.
3. Strength of Learning Questions and Initial Pilot Plan
The pilot has a clear goal, and learning questions address the highest-risk assumptions about the solution.
The plan demonstrates how activities and data collection will test these assumptions and generate evidence relevant to wider stakeholders.
Learning is designed to inform future adaptation finance programmes and solutions.
We will also assess all applications on Value for Money.
Timeline
Pilots should be implemented between now and March 2026, allowing enough time to test, learn, and refine solutions for broader impact, with a possibility of further funding beyond March 2026.
Our Offer to You:
We’re asking for ambitious pilots, and we aim to provide support to help you succeed. The Climate Adaptation Tech Lab offers:
Grant Funding
Up to £30,000 for implementation through March 2026 per pilot.
Successful pilots may be eligible for additional funding to grow their solutions further beyond March 2026.
Technical Assistance
Access to specialist technical and sectoral expertise to help develop and implement your solution.
Guidance on business model development, and operational planning.
Innovation Coaching
Support in navigating technical challenges, adapting tools, and integrating technology effectively.
Coaching designed to help teams test, iterate, and refine their solutions for maximum impact.
Connections and Knowledge Sharing
Opportunities to engage with investors, government actors, and other stakeholders to increase adoption and funding potential.
Support for sharing lessons learned, enabling scale of successful solutions.
The Application Process
The Climate Adaptation Tech Lab is using a two-stage rolling application process:
1st Stage: Initial Idea Submission (initial short application)
We’d love to hear your initial idea.
The application shouldn’t take more than 1 hour!
If your idea:
1. Meets the eligibility criteria
2. Presents a clear concept addressing our priority area.
Then your organisation will be invited to our second stage, asking for a more detailed pitch.
Please note: not all organisations asked to complete the second stage process will receive support from the Lab.
To apply, please send a brief description of your proposed pilot project to: 📩 nathan@hellobrink.co and Samuel.Fookes@dt-global.com
Your application should include:
Name of applicant organisation and any co-proposers/partners
A short summary of the problem you intend to address (300 words max)
An outline of your proposed solution, including the role of technology and intended users (400 words max)
Confirmation and a brief narrative on how the proposal meets the Lab’s eligibility requirements (100 words max)
A short description of your organisation’s experience in delivering similar projects (200 words max)
2nd stage: Invitation to Pitch
Applicants invited to the second stage are invited to pitch in front of a panel of Hub and FCDO judges. We expect pitches to directly address our selection criteria:
Clear Problem Statement
The Solution
Strength of Learning Questions and Initial Pilot Plan
Value for Money
Specific details regarding the weighting of these criteria to compute a final score will be shared with 2nd stage applicants as they are invited to submit at second stage.
Final Deadline, Selection and Timeline for Implementation
All applications must be submitted by 31st October 2025 11:59 pm (Viet Nam time).
Stage 1 applications will be reviewed weekly from the week commencing 6th October 2025, we therefore encourage you to submit your idea sooner in the application window.
Final selection of pilots is expected in November 2025.
Grants will be awarded starting in November 2025 and projects will run until March 2026.
If you have any questions, contact nathan@hellobrink.co and Samuel.Fookes@dt-global.com .
Date published: 24/09/2025