Launched in 2023, the UN Global Pulse Accelerator is the United Nations’ programme for turning promising innovative ideas into real-world impact at scale, ensuring that exceptional UN-led pilots reach more communities through adaptable delivery models and future-fit strategies.
Developing sustainable and scalable models for innovative solutions amid a continuously changing landscape is a challenging journey. To thrive, promising ideas must be cultivated within adaptable ecosystems, grounded in scalable, responsible technology, sustainable financing models, innovative partnerships and cutting-edge skills. The UN Global Pulse Accelerator responds to these ever-evolving needs through an innovative programme that offers an evidence-based curriculum, enabling UN-led teams to undertake a structured, multidisciplinary approach to drive impact.
After a competitive selection process, nine teams will be guided on a workshop journey in Helsinki, ranked as one of the most innovative cities in the world, to create future-fit strategies for scaling their innovative solutions alongside colleagues from diverse UN agencies. Each UN-led team will receive support from a pool of multidisciplinary experts and be introduced to key partners across public and private sectors. Three teams with the most promising innovation scaling strategies will be awarded the Scale Catalyst Grant (USD $60,000), tailored technical support and mentoring from UN Global Pulse to meet their specific scaling needs and implement the strategies developed during the workshop days.
Since its launch, the Accelerator Programme has supported 14 teams from 8 different UN entities across two cohorts. It has awarded 5 Scale Catalyst Grants and tailored mentoring for teams from FAO, UNFPA, WFP and WHO to support the implementation of their scale strategies.
If you’re interested in this opportunity and would like to learn more, please review the further details in our FAQs. The call for the third cohort was launched on the 6th of May 2025.
Our impact
The aim of the programme is to:
- Assist UN-led teams to develop realistic and sustainable strategies for scaling their proof-tested innovative solutions, aimed at achieving impact for people and planet;
- Support the implementation of these scaling strategies by providing access to appropriate multidisciplinary methods, partners, mentoring, and support tailored based on the gaps and areas identified during the strategy development phase.