Global Cleantech
Innovation Programme
Empowering changemakers,
transforming tomorrow.
GCIP supports UNIDO's climate action agenda by accelerating high-impact cleantech innovations, promoting sustainable and low-emission industries and fostering international collaboration, including through the South-South and Triangular Cooperation. By focusing on innovation growth, emissions reduction and just transitions, GCIP promotes inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Join us now in shaping a just and sustainable future, powered by cleantech!
About Us
GCIP is an initiative focused on catalyzing cleantech innovation in emerging markets and developing economies. It supports early-stage startups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through direct business acceleration and investment readiness support, transforming them into market-ready enterprises. At the same time, GCIP helps countries strengthen their national cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems (CIEEs). GCIP's dual approach fosters bottom-up growth of innovative climate solutions and creates global market opportunities for cleantech by connecting innovation ecosystems across countries and enabling South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTIC).
GCIP’s goal is to ensure that emerging markets and developing economies establish self-sustained and well-connected cleantech innovation ecosystems that consistently support the emergence, acceleration and upscaling of innovations contributing to climate mitigation efforts, economic growth and just sustainability transitions.
EnergyEfficiency
RenewableEnergy
WasteBeneficiation
WaterEfficiency
GreenBuildings
Mobility
AdvancedMaterials & Chemicals
While focusing primarily on these technology areas, GCIP’s intervention model can be adapted depending on specific country priorities, including support for social entrepreneurship and solutions such as the prevention of land degradation and biodiversity loss. Here are our goals until 2030:
2100+
Cleantech Startups & MSMEs
to be supported
Over 40%
of the supported startups and MSMEs are owned, led, or operated by women.
12.000+
Beneficiaries of cleantech innovation support, across 10 countries.
40.8 mln
metric tons of direct and indirect CO₂ equivalents have been mitigated.
15+
Countries with a strong national innovation & entrepreneurship ecosystems.
Facts & Figures
GCIP originated from a UNIDO-GEF pilot initiative for clean technologies support launched at a side event during the 2011 UN Climate Change Conference in South Africa. UNIDO and the GEF kicked off the first Cleantech Innovation Competition for green MSMEs focused on sustainable buildings, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Based on the learnings of this pilot and increasing demand for cleantech, in 2014, UNIDO and the GEF developed the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) to further support cleantech innovations in MSMEs. Here is what the programme so far has achieved:
1650+
Cleantech Startups & MSMEs
accelerated
19+
Countries currently part of our network
400+
Experts trained, including trainers, mentors and judged.
10+
Thematic publications produced for ecosystems and acceleration activities
500+ hours
of Training and Supporting materials for Startups & MSMEs
Click on the flag for more details
GCIP Partner Countries
Transforming Ideas into Green Solutions Benefits Us All
GCIP provides structured acceleration support for cleantech startups and MSMEs to refine business models and facilitate market entry. Acceleration activities participants benefit from intensive training sessions, mentorship, access to funding opportunities and investor connections. By supporting cleantech innovation and connectivity among partner countries, GCIP fosters robust ecosystems that promote low-emission, resilient industrial growth and national environmental goals. Governments benefit from new technologies that enhance resource efficiency and sustainability, contributing to long-term societal prosperity.
Building ecosystems and multilateral partnerships
GCIP strengthens national cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems (CIEEs) by building the capacity of national institutions and policymakers, providing CIEE-strengthening tools and frameworks as well as fostering robust connections and raising awareness among key ecosystem participants. GCIP focuses on establishing a common baseline of operating procedures and methodologies to ensure a consistent and scalable approach among the acceleration services and ecosystem strengthening activities in GCIP partner countries. Importantly, the intention is not to focus on global uniformity at the expense of national needs but to leverage best practices for the benefit of all partner countries in the GCIP network.
Attractive investment and partnership opportunities
GCIP-backed cleantech start-ups provide impact investors with opportunities to support market-ready, financially viable and sustainable technologies. The programme also offers partnerships with the private sector, enhancing innovation and sustainability through collaboration on specific innovation challenges within GCIP, promoting technological breakthroughs and demand-driven solutions. GCIP allows experienced and early-stage cleantech professionals as well as students and graduates to engage with trainers, mentors and judges, supporting the next generations of innovators. By participating in the acceleration process, they can share knowledge, expand networks and impact the development of breakthrough technologies.