In November 2024, the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), with support from the United Kingdom International Development, launched the Hindu Kush Himalaya Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE). The challenge invited entrepreneurs and innovators from the HKH region—including Bhutan, Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts), Nepal, and the Himalayan states of India—to propose scalable solutions addressing ecological, market, and value chain challenges in sectors such as agriculture, water security, sustainable tourism, waste management, and forestry.
The innovation challenge is backdropped by the need to support local entrepreneurs to drive green and resilient innovations in the HKH region. It supports local entrepreneurs in achieving sustainable and resilient development through innovative solutions. HKH is home to rich biodiversity and vital ecosystems, sustaining life for over 240 million people in the mountains and 1.65 billion downstream. It is home to the world’s largest ice reserves outside of the polar regions and supports Asia’s major food-producing river systems. However, the region faces severe challenges, including climate change, ecosystem degradation, and water scarcity, which threaten its agricultural systems, tourism, and overall resilience.
Responding to the challenge, over 140 proposals were submitted, showcasing the region’s untapped potential for innovative, resilience solutions. Solutions ranged from climate-smart agriculture and sustainable tourism to innovative waste management and water security initiatives. In early March 2025, 17 shortlisted candidates were invited to a Leadership Academy in Kathmandu, Nepal, where they explored the key role leadership plays in their work.
Rajendra Shakya
After rigorous evaluations, mentorship sessions, and comprehensive assessments, we are proud to announce the 12 winners of the HKH-ICE Challenge. Their business solutions embody innovative, scalable solutions that enhance the resilience of communities and ecosystems across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region – proving that sustainable businesses are possible to implement.
The winners will continue working with their assigned mentors and receive additional support, including communications support, networking opportunities, connections to potential investors, and more!
Meet the winners:
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Vegetable Farming in Grow Bags
Country: Bangladesh
Lead organisation: Shiblee Farms
Shiblee Farms addresses soil erosion and farmland scarcity through innovative grow-bag farming methods. This solution enables farmers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to increase vegetable yields sustainably without disturbing fragile soil ecosystems, significantly improving local incomes and community resilience.
Essentials from Highland
Country: Bhutan
Lead organisation: Kingdom Essences
Kingdom Essences implements sustainable wild-harvesting techniques to produce essential oils from non-timber forest produce that prevent overexploitation, support habitat conservation, and encourage the regeneration of native plant species. , By promoting biodiversity conservation through their harvesting techniques, it creates income opportunities for local communities and contributes to the economic empowerment of Bhutanese farmers and collectors.
Mangala Herbeceuticals
Country: Bhutan
Lead organisation: Mangala Herbeceuticals
Mangala Herbeceuticals promotes the sustainable harvesting and bioprospecting of cordyceps, a high-value medicinal fungus. The project protects ecological balance by implementing responsible harvesting practices while boosting local livelihoods through value-added processing and product innovation.
Transforming Beekeeping through Scientific Bee Boxes
Country: India (Nagaland)
Lead organisation: Jome Foods
Jome Foods introduces scientifically designed bee boxes to enhance honey production, increase income for indigenous tribal communities, and promote ecological sustainability. The project also provides training and market access, empowering farmers economically and environmentally.
Reimagining Tourism for a Sustainable Ladakh
Country: India (Ladakh)
Lead organisation: Himalayan Ecotourism
Himalayan Ecotourism develops sustainable, community-driven tourism models in Ladakh to preserve cultural heritage, reduce migration, and maintain ecological balance. Their inclusive approach benefits local communities and conserves delicate mountain ecosystems.
HimGra: Himalayan Grass to Sustainable Textiles
Country: India (Uttarakhand)
Lead organisation: DESCAT UK
DESCAT UK revitalises degraded lands by cultivating Himalayan grass, transforming it into sustainable fibres for the textile industry. The project enhances soil health, provides stable employment opportunities, and promotes sustainable economic growth.
Vikas Bhandari via pexels
Scalable Automation of Artificial Ice Reservoirs
Country: India (Ladakh)
Lead organisation: Acres of Ice
Acres of Ice combines traditional ice reservoir methods with modern automation technology, addressing severe water scarcity challenges in Ladakh. The solution improves agricultural productivity, reduces community labour, and strengthens climate resilience.
KumaonKhand – Hemp Weaving Clusters
Country: India (Uttarakhand)
Lead organisation: KumaonKhand Agro-Innovations
KumaonKhand creates inclusive economic opportunities through a clean hemp value chain. It builds the resilience of farmers and weavers in the Kumaon region by strengthening traditional hemp cultivation and weaving practices, and by linking hemp produce as inputs to green infrastructure. By empowering rural weaving communities, KumaonKhand enhances local livelihoods, preserves cultural practices, and promotes sustainable agriculture and products development.
Women in Waste: Leading Solukhumbu’s Sustainable Future
Country: Nepal
Lead organisation: Khaalisisi Management
Khaalisisi Management supports women entrepreneurs through plastic waste recycling and upcycling in Nepal’s Everest region. Rather than collecting waste to dispose of in landfills, the project will recycle and upcycle waste into souvenirs, trekking gear, and packaging materials, targeting the local tourism market. This will provide income opportunities while reducing environmental pollution and preserving natural resources.
Smart Productive Forests to fight degrading Himalayas
Country: Nepal
Lead organisation: The Green Intelligence Nepal
The Green Intelligence Nepal combats land degradation and climate challenges through agroforestry, using an innovative mobile app that connects farmers to global carbon markets. This approach generates additional revenue streams, encourages sustainable forest management, and enhances community resilience.
Safe Homes, Stronger Communities: Advancing Resilience in Nepal’s Mountain Districts
Country: Nepal
Lead organisation: Build Up Nepal Engineering Pvt Ltd
Build Up Nepal Engineering empowers local entrepreneurs to construct earthquake-resistant homes using eco-friendly interlocking bricks. This innovation creates jobs, reduces CO2 emissions significantly, and improves the resilience of infrastructure to climate and disaster impacts.
Soil BioCatalyst for Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Country: Nepal
Lead organisation: Ilami Agro and Tech Pvt. Ltd.
Ilami Agro and Tech develops region-specific microbial consortia tailored to Nepal’s unique agro-climatic conditions. Their innovative bio fertiliser restores soil fertility, enhances crop productivity, and promotes sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture practices.
Congratulations to all our HKH-ICE 2024 winners! We look forward to supporting your innovative solutions and seeing the positive impact you’ll bring to communities across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.
The HKH-ICE initiative is initiated by ICIMOD’s Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP) funded by the United Kingdom International Development through its Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.