This specific tender is managed via the new supplier portal system of UNDP Quantum. If you are interested in submitting a bid for this tender, you must subscribe following the instructions in the user guide. If you have not registered a profile with this system, you can do so by following the link for Supplier Registration.

If you already have a supplier profile, please access the negotiation using quicklink or please login to the Supplier Portal, then search for the negotiation using the reference number UNDP-LSO-00374, following the instructions in the user guide.

Introduction

Call for Proposals for the Innovation Challenge

 Sesotho AI Language Hackathon

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Lesotho and the Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation (MICSTI) are calling on individual innovators, companies, NGOs and startups to participate in the AI Local Language Innovation Hackathon. This initiative aims to discover inclusive, Sesotho-based AI solutions that directly respond to local needs and broaden digital and language access for marginalised communities.

 Objective of the Challenge: The objective of the hackathon is to accelerate the development of AI-driven Sesotho language solutions that enhance digital accessibility, preserve cultural identity, and build a sustainable ecosystem for inclusive digital transformation in Lesotho.

 

Eligible applicants: Individuals, NGOs, Companies

 

Expected date of contract start: 22 December 2025

 

Expected length of contract: 45 Days

 

Estimated prize: Up to a maximum of US$5,000

Interested applicants are invited to any of the two briefing sessions below:

1.       The 09^th December 2025, 10:00 a.m – 11:30 a.m:

Zoom Link: https://undp.zoom.us/j/88178881725?pwd=etdxuMUKsHVAWGqN4JYbKZaUG47W3P.1&from=addon

 

Meeting ID: 881 7888 1725

Passcode: 516619

2.       The 11^th December 2025, at 10:00 a.m – 11:30a.m:

Zoom Link: https://undp.zoom.us/j/88004645295?pwd=9dw6X1jRG2ltXWG1iigUSZT2TVaGeK.1&from=addon

 Meeting ID: 880 0464 5295

Passcode:     268446

 

 

Other information on this Innovation challenge and forms/templates are listed below:

Annex 1 – Terms of Reference & Evaluation criteria

Annex 2 – Proposal submission Form including Applicant’s Declaration

Annex 3 – Technical Proposal Form

Annex 4 – Financial proposal Form

 

When preparing your proposal, please be guided by the Instructions and Data. All the details regarding the background of the call, criteria for selection and evaluation can be found in the Terms of Reference.  The applicants must submit their proposals using the forms and templates provided in the system.

Please note that proposals must be submitted directly in the UNDP supplier portal system, responding to the questions and uploading required documents by the date and time indicated in the online portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that your proposal is submitted before the deadline. Proposals received after the submission deadline outside the online portal, for whatever reason, will not be considered for evaluation.

Proposals must be submitted directly in NextGenERP supplier portal following this link: http://supplier.quantum.partneragencies.org using the profile you may have in the portal.

Follow the instructions in the user guide to search for the tender using Negotiation ID in this document.

In case you have never registered before, you can register a profile using the registration link shared via the procurement notice and following the instructions in guides available in UNDP website: https://www.undp.org/procurement/business/resources- for-bidders. Do not create a new profile if you already have one. Use the forgotten password feature in case you do not remember the password or the username from previous registration.

Thank you and we look forward to receiving your Proposals.

UNDP LESOTHO OFFICE 

PROCUREMENT UNIT

Documents :

Negotiation Document(s) (Before Accessing other negotiations Document(s), please click on this link)