Expo City Dubai Foundation Accelerates Support for Heat-Resilience Innovators in Global South
The Expo City Dubai Foundation’s Global Innovators Programme is making significant strides in supporting entrepreneurs who are tackling pressing global challenges, particularly in vulnerable communities across the Global South. This initiative, rooted in Expo 2020 Dubai’s $100 million innovation commitment, has empowered over 200 entrepreneurs from more than 90 countries since its inception in 2016.
Yousuf Caires, Executive Director of the Expo City Dubai Foundation, emphasized the program’s impact, stating that each grantee receives up to $100,000 in funding, along with technical guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Recently, the Foundation announced its eighth cohort, selecting seven innovators from Nigeria, Peru, Morocco, India, and Egypt, all focused on developing solutions to combat extreme heat.
Caires highlighted the diversity of the selected projects, which range from heat-resilient construction panels made from previously unrecyclable plastic to long-lasting animal feed derived from wheat straw waste. These innovations address critical issues faced by vulnerable and often rural communities in the region.
The selection process for this cohort was rigorous, involving multiple stages and independent governance. The latest round attracted over 1,000 applications from 84 countries, evaluated against three core criteria: innovation, submission quality, and potential impact in humanitarian and marginalized settings. Geographic diversity and the representation of enterprises at various stages of maturity were also considered. Ultimately, ten projects advanced to a live virtual pitch event, where an independent evaluation committee, including representatives from Emirates Airline and ENGIE, selected the seven winners.
Caires noted that the grantees were chosen based on their scalability, the credibility of their implementation plans, and their potential impact in addressing extreme heat challenges in vulnerable communities. The Foundation is committed to supporting these innovators as they build momentum and expand their influence.
The Economic and Infrastructure Challenges of Extreme Heat
Extreme heat is increasingly recognized as a significant economic and infrastructure challenge globally. Rising temperatures exacerbate droughts, food insecurity, and deteriorating conditions for health, water, shelter, and energy for millions. The Global South is particularly susceptible due to its reliance on food production sectors that depend on stable weather patterns, water availability, and soil health, such as agriculture and fishing.
The Foundation aims to create an enabling environment for problem-solvers in these regions. For instance, Fuselage’s AI-driven drone solution offers crop monitoring and analytics to safeguard yields, while Visenleer’s ocean-waste-derived cooling shade protects coastal communities and essential services from extreme heat, benefiting local fishers.
The Role of Low-Carbon Materials in Urban Resilience
Several selected projects focus on alternative construction materials and passive cooling solutions, underscoring the importance of low-carbon materials and passive cooling technologies in achieving regional net-zero and urban resilience targets. The built environment sector accounts for approximately 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making sustainable building practices essential for net-zero ambitions.
In the region, reducing embodied carbon—GHG emissions generated during the lifecycle of building materials—and employing passive design to lower cooling loads are crucial for enhancing urban resilience. As part of its decarbonization roadmap, Expo City Dubai has implemented passive cooling strategies such as large shaded canopies and reflective pavements to maintain comfortable conditions for its staff, tenants, and future residents.
Ecodome Maroc, one of the innovators from Morocco, is championing sustainable bricks made from abundant local materials, providing accessible and climate-resilient housing solutions. This initiative exemplifies the potential for adaptation and replication in other markets, as the Foundation continues to explore innovative solutions that can benefit communities worldwide.
Barriers to Scaling Climate Innovations
Innovators in the Global South often face structural barriers, including limited access to capital, constrained networks, and underdeveloped support ecosystems. Despite these challenges, community-centered solutions that protect vulnerable populations frequently emerge from those who understand their needs best.
With adequate support, the selected projects have the potential to scale and create lasting impacts on communities grappling with the effects of extreme heat.
Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Deployment
The Expo City Dubai Foundation’s mission is to foster a global network of organizations committed to addressing global challenges. By providing funding, facilitating partnerships, and promoting knowledge exchange, the Foundation creates an environment conducive to social enterprises and problem-solvers.
Each selected project is assigned a grant manager to assist with milestone setting, progress monitoring, and fund allocation, ensuring that solutions receive the necessary support to realize their full potential.
The Green Innovation District
Launched in October 2025, the Green Innovation District is a collaborative initiative between Expo City Dubai and the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. This district serves as a platform for environmentally conscious businesses to innovate and grow, integrating policy, research, education, and community engagement to deliver tangible impacts.
The district was established in partnership with four strategic collaborators, including Palmade, a UAE-based company transforming local date-palm waste into biodegradable cutlery, alongside Nestlé, Intesa Sanpaolo, and Majra. The upcoming launch of the Green Licence will further support companies with demonstrated ESG credentials committed to green technologies and circular economy activities.
Source: www.zawya.com
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