Grand Challenges Canada and AVPN launched Nexa Lighthouse on Aug. 25, 2026, to fund locally led climate and health innovations across Asia and the Pacific. The initiative addresses rising health risks from extreme heat, poor air quality, and shifting disease patterns.

Partnership Structure

Nexa Lighthouse merges Nexa, a global initiative co-led by Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) and the Science for Africa Foundation, with The Lighthouse Fund, led by AVPN. GCC receives anchor funding from the Government of Canada. Additional partners include Bayer Foundation, India Health Fund, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Sanofi Foundation, and Temasek Foundation.

The first funding call opens in October 2026. It targets growth-stage innovations that strengthen health system adaptation and resilience. Proven solutions will receive between US$250,000 and US$2,000,000 in Transition to Scale funding, depending on maturity.

Context and Priorities

The initiative extends Nexa’s work from Africa and the Americas into Asia and the Pacific. Nexa launched in June 2026 at London Climate Action Week. Its priorities were shaped by a survey of 6,400 respondents across 107 low- and middle-income countries.

Asia and the Pacific is the world’s most disaster-prone region. More than four in five people face multi-hazard risks from climate events. Despite this, only 0.5% of global climate funding focuses on health outcomes, according to the Rockefeller Foundation.

What the Numbers Show

The funding structure reveals a focus on scaling proven models rather than early-stage research. With grants ranging from US$250,000 to US$2 million, the initiative targets innovations that have already demonstrated viability but lack capital for regional expansion. This aligns with the survey finding that locally led solutions exist but require capital moving at their speed.

Leadership Commentary

Randeep Sarai, Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, stated that Global Affairs Canada supports initiatives like Nexa Lighthouse to protect health and strengthen resilience. Rahul Chandran, Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer at GCC, noted that the partnership brings together partners who know these markets and innovators.

Dhun Davar, Chief of Programmes and Deputy CEO at AVPN, highlighted that the region is home to innovators already developing solutions. He emphasized that Nexa Lighthouse helps move promising innovations from early ideas to scalable solutions.