UNDP and Generali Central Launch Insurance Innovation Challenge for MSME Resilience in India

Key facts

• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Generali Central launched an insurance innovation challenge on October 7, 2026, to identify and scale solutions strengthening the resilience of India's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
• India has over 73 million MSMEs, contributing about 30 per cent of GDP, 44 per cent of exports, and employing 60 per cent of the workforce.
• The challenge seeks proven insurance products and distribution models addressing health-related events, business interruption and asset loss, and is open to insurance providers, insurtechs, technology service providers, social enterprises and insurance distribution companies legally registered in India.
• Up to three winning solutions will each receive grants of up to US$40,000, with applications closing on November 20, 2026, and winners to be announced in February 2027.
• The initiative builds on the wider UNDP-Generali partnership to strengthen MSME resilience in India and across Asia, combining research, risk-reduction tools, capacity building and insurance innovation.