Applications Invited for Relief & Resilience: WFP Innovation Challenge

Follow us on Linkedin: NGOBOX India

About the Organization

The WFP Innovation Accelerator was launched by the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme in 2015 to source new ideas, sprint pilot projects, and scale high-impact innovations by connecting them with WFP’s global network in over 120 countries and territories. From its base in Munich, Germany, the WFP Innovation Accelerator has grown to become one of the world's leading social impact startup accelerators. Together with the network of WFP regional innovation hubs and country office innovation teams, portfolio ventures and with the support of our partners, in 2024 the WFP Innovation Accelerator ran 18 programmes addressing a wide range of social impact and sustainability issues.

About the Grant

Apply to receive up to USD 100,000 in equity-free funding, mentorship and access to the world’s largest humanitarian organization.

We’ve launched the latest WFP Innovation Challenge in search of game-changing innovations that offer relief, foster resilience and end hunger.

Over 828 million people - more than one in ten of the world's population - still go to bed hungry each night. The number of people facing acute food insecurity has reached a record high of 333 million. Meanwhile, the cost of delivering food assistance has reached unprecedented levels due to soaring prices of food and fuel. The combination of increased expenses for food and transportation, worsened by the economic consequences of the pandemic, climate change, and the conflict in Ukraine, has made food inaccessible for millions of people, placing significant strain on WFP's operations.

This edition of the WFP Innovation Challenge seeks to identify and support disruptive social innovations that address key challenges in the fight against hunger. We are particularly interested in solutions for humanitarian assistance and supply chain resilience as we aim to ensure that every donor dollar goes further in addressing hunger while reducing the need for ration cuts.

Together, we can work towards achieving our goal of zero hunger and transform the lives of those who need our help the most. WFP’s current innovation priorities are listed below:

Preparedness and Prevention: Innovations that improve our risk assessment, contingency planning, and proactive strategies to facilitate prompt response to safeguard lives and resources during crises.

Effective Relief Assistance: Innovations that enable efficient coordination, targeted assistance, and respect for the dignity and rights of affected communities.

Supply Chain Resilience: Innovations that strengthen our supply chains’ ability to withstand and recover from disruptions, ensuring continuous functionality.

What We Offer:             

Funding: Apply to receive up to USD 100,000 in equity-free funding, with further funding dependent upon progress and measurable achievement of key targets

Access to WFP Operations: Successful teams will work with WFP’s global network of partners and field operations across more than 120 countries and territories; Teams may also qualify for further funding and support if they are scaling innovations that have proven their concepts and value for social impact.

Hands-On Support: You'll have the chance to work with technical and industry mentors who will provide guidance and accelerate your progress. Selected social innovations will participate in a three to five days long WFP Innovation Bootcamp and Pitch Event

Networking: Teams will be able to tap into and leverage our strong network of public, private, and government partners to accelerate implementation.

What We Are Looking For:

For this edition of the Innovation Challenge, we are looking for both low and high tech solutions that enable early planning and effective delivery of relief assistance. We also encourage strong “wildcard” entries. Together with the brightest and best minds globally, we will be able to end hunger. WFP’s current innovation priorities are listed below:

• Preparedness and Prevention
• Effective Relief Assistance
• Supply Chain Resilience

Interested but don’t feel your innovation is ready yet? Don’t let this stop you! We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Eligibility

If you are a start-up:

• Your start-up must be incorporated at the time of application. It can be for profit or not-for-profit.
• Your innovation must at least be at the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage. Proof-of-concept and initial traction is preferred.
• Your solution should be financially viable.
• Your proposal must show how working with WFP will serve your long-term strategy.

If you are a WFP employee:

• Your team must have evidence of Country Office support and management buy-in.
• You are encouraged to apply, regardless of your contract type or function.
• We accept applications from WFP employees who are collaborating with NGOs, government or private sectors.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: Ongoing

To submit your application, please fill in the Application Form.

Or, if you know a relevant social innovation that you would recommend for this innovation challenge, please let us know by completing this Referral Submission Form.

We will review and match successful applications with one of our WFP Innovation Bootcamps in the next six months.

For more information please check the Link

Stay in the loop with the newest RFPs and Grants through NGOBOX's WhatsApp Channel. Join now by clicking here!

Tags Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Innovations and Technology Livelihood Others