1. What is the Skills Challenge Innovation Call about?

The ILO is looking for innovative, relevant, feasible, and impactful ideas that, based on the use of new technologies, promote skills development to facilitate the formalization of labour and economic units.

These include solutions that will strengthen skills development and improve apprenticeship systems to reach those in the informal economy. More specifically, innovative solutions that facilitate access to social protection, simplify registration, improve access to finance, increase productivity, support labour inspection, support law enforcement and give a voice to those working in the informal economy.

2. Who can apply?

Applicants include entities or legally recognized non-profit organizations with contractual capacity and duly incorporated that have been in existence for at least two calendar years prior to the closing date of the call. Proposals may be submitted individually or jointly by several organizations. The idea to be submitted can be a joint collaboration effort by different stakeholders, such as governments, employers’, and workers' organisations.

By entity or non-profit organization, we mean government agencies, employers' and workers' organizations, cooperatives, education and training institutions (including schools, public and private training providers, and universities), NGOs and civil society organizations, universities and other research and educational institutions.

In case of a team work, a project leader should be identified to coordinate the activities and to report to the ILO.

3. What are we looking for?

One or more ideas and solutions that address the issue of e-formality and skills development. We welcome all types of innovations, i.e. innovative approaches, projects, tools, technologies, and partnerships that offer solutions that, through the use of new technologies, support labour formalization and skills development.

We are open to all ideas and solutions at any stage of development. They can be in their initial phase or at a more advanced stage.

4. Is it possible to submit multiple ideas?

Yes, as long as the idea is innovative and relevant to the challenge.

5. In what languages can the solutions be submitted in?

In Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese.

6. How can I submit my idea?

To apply to the call for proposals, you must log in to the ILO Innovation Platform: http://bit.ly/3a9kxwX

7. Can I submit my idea by mail or email?

No. The only way to submit a proposal is through the ILO Innovation Platform.

8. How many proposals will be selected?

Two proposals will be selected: 1st and 2nd places.

9. Who will select the winning proposal?

An independent Selection Committee, composed of ILO specialists in the area of formalization and skills development, external innovation experts, and other external members.

10. When is the deadline to apply?

The call will close on 15 June 2021 (midnight Geneva time).

11. When will the winning ideas be announced?

The winning ideas will be announced on 15 July 2021 through a press release on the ILO website and social media.

12. What will the selected ideas receive?

The ideas coming in the first and second places will be awarded grants of USD 30,000 and USD 20,000 respectively, to implement the proposed solution. In addition, they will both have access to an Innovation Lab to develop their solutions into ready-to-implement prototypes, as well as an invitation to join the ILO Skills Innovation Network.