The 2024 RISE Riverine Community Resilience Challenge accelerates innovation by connecting problems that require better solutions with innovators with new resilience-building technologies, products and services.
RISE is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization with a mission to accelerate innovation and business growth by identifying, validating, and scaling solutions to climate resilience challenges in communities such as flooding and sea level rise. RISE accomplishes this by running Community Resilience Challenge competitions and providing funding and other support from Virginia’s Resilience Innovation Fund (RIF), accelerators, hubs and testbeds.
Context of the Riverine Community Resilience Challenge
As storms become more frequent and intense due to climate change, riverine communities become increasingly vulnerable to the unique threat of flooding that can change their lives in an instant.
On August 30, 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Hurley, Virginia, received 7 inches of rainfall, leading to river flooding that tragically claimed one life, destroyed 19 homes, and severely damaged 24 more homes. There were serious consequences. Less than a year later, on July 12, 2022, a similar situation occurred in Whitewood and Pilgrim’s Knob, Virginia. In the latter case, there were no casualties, but the storm destroyed 21 homes and damaged 25 others.
FEMA did not provide individual homeowner assistance in either case, and only a small number of affected residents received insurance payments.
The risks of these events vary, including heavy rain, strong winds, high and fast water currents, and landslides. These natural forces can cause significant damage to buildings, potentially leading to destruction, injury or death. Additionally, this often results in large amounts of debris, which is costly and time consuming to collect and remove, adding to the challenges faced by affected communities.
Why should I take part in the Riverine Community Resilience Challenge?
Up to $1 million in funding is available to support solutions to this challenge. Applicants can apply for up to USD 300,000 in non-equity funds. Enterprise teams can submit integrated solutions and receive up to USD 750,000.
Since 2018, RISE has invested more than $7 million in non-equity funds and services. Resilience Innovation Fund It targets 35 companies that are developing scalable solutions that create real, new value, can be demonstrated in Virginia, and can be built into sustainable ventures. RIF is seeded with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
RISE also accelerates the growth of companies developing innovative solutions to climate resilience challenges. that much Resilience Innovation Accelerator We work with RISE Community Resilience Challenge winners to help businesses maximize their impact and become sustainable following RISE funding. The Accelerator offers a two-month program based on the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps technology tailored to the field of resilience.
RISE also brokers the company’s access to Virginia’s resources through: Resilience Innovation Hub and Testbed To validate or demonstrate resilience-building innovations. RISE facilitates access to live pilot sites and permits, co-working office and workshop space in Norfolk, Virginia, data and key stakeholders, a community of resilience entrepreneurs, public relations opportunities and regulatory technical assistance.
In addition to the above benefits, businesses can also enjoy:
- Regulatory and permitting support
- Access to real data sets
- Access to an established resilience community
- Public Relations Support and Media Visibility
- Strategic collaboration with experts and stakeholders
Early warning of flood events
challenge: River flooding accidents are becoming more serious and frequent. Accurate and timely warnings are needed to protect our communities.
potential solution: Flood-affected areas are identified starting 12 hours before flooding occurs and are continuously updated through the progress of rainfall activity. Developed flood alert generation and alert generation protocols. Includes communications infrastructure to ensure messages/data are transmitted to required personnel. Protocols for action on messages for all members (e.g. emergency managers, rescue teams, first responders, etc.).
Landscaping and Building Adaptation
challenge: Post-flood events often significantly change the landscape, affecting the suitability of certain areas for rebuilding. Recognizing this, there is a growing consensus that some land parcels are no longer suitable for traditional construction. Identifying the most beneficial uses following flooding in these areas is challenging. These areas can serve as testing grounds for innovative building methods designed to withstand flooding.
Potential Solutions: RISE is looking for solutions that::
- Consider building/landscape mitigation using new or existing adaptation technologies. Additional relief may be considered if the applicant provides comprehensive details about the technology and its benefits. Both rural and urban environments may be considered.
- Identify the most appropriate and cost-effective building/landscape modifications by parcel, including a method or access to a method to conduct a benefit-cost analysis for all buildings and parcels.
- Provides mitigation that can be implemented on pre- and post-disaster assets.
- Provides parcel-by-parcel benefit-cost analysis (BCA) using the latest topography and flood event data sets.
- It can be implemented using local labor and contractors to support the local business community and workforce.
- Provides analysis and estimates of insurance cost savings resulting from mitigation.
For more information, please check the applicant guide on the website.
community insurance program
challenge: Many homeowners and renters in rural areas lack flood insurance. As a result, financial assistance (and other assistance) to these communities after a flood typically comes from state flood relief funds or philanthropic donations allocated through specific budget requests. However, these funds are primarily aimed at homeowners, which often leaves renters without assistance.
Additionally, the area’s median income is low (one reason many in the community do not participate in flood insurance programs). This topic aims to build sustainable insurance programs that help these residents and others.
potential solution: Solutions are being explored for designing the following insurance programs:
- Provides support to households and businesses after an event by transferring risk and protecting against large losses through insurance and other financial strategies.
- Addresses the needs of residents and businesses (approximately) on time.
- Needs range from food, shelter, short-term funds to building replacement costs. Part of the challenge is documenting these requirements.
- If a parametric program is proposed, payment will be made after clearly delineated and measurable flood event levels. Approaches other than parametric programming are also considered.
- We deliver payments quickly and in a way that is accessible to all members, along with findings from resident community insurance subject areas.
- River flooding is considered the only risk.
- Sustainable throughout Southwest Virginia as defined by LENOWISCO PDC, Cumberland Plateau PDC, Mount Rogers PDC, and New River Regional Council.
- We are supported by our Resident Recovery Program to provide pre- and post-event support and guidance. We provide support and guidance before and after the event through our Resident Recovery Program. The goal of this challenge is to design an insurance program that can partner with and support such support programs.
Who can apply?
this The challenge is open to all small businesses and non-profit organizations around the world. We are researching flood adaptation, mitigation and management solutions. Applicants may partner with large corporations or research institutions, but project leaders must be small/nonprofit organizations. furthermore:
- Must be a business.
- Your business should be able to deploy solutions in Southwest Virginia either directly or by hiring a local partner.
- The solution must be beyond the prototype stage.
- If you are selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit additional documentation, including technical details and work plan for your solution.
- Finalists must register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC).
RISE Riverine Community Resilience Challenge Timeline
You can apply now!
- April 4, 11, 18, 25 — 1:00 PM EST: Weekly informational webinars.
- May 6, 2024 — 2:00 PM ET: Application submission deadline
- May 10, 2024: Alert Finalist
- May 20, 2024: Deadline for submission of additional documents
- June: Announcement of winners
RISE seeks to fund innovative approaches that can be built into viable, sustainable businesses. This refers to a business that generates revenue through product sales or attracts additional investment to grow or develop its revenue streams.
Find out all the details about this unique challenge and submit your application today.
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