Applications Invited for Humanitarian Innovation Accelerator 2025

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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 2023 the WFP Innovation Accelerator ran 14 programmes addressing a wide range of social impact and sustainability issues, including climate change, primary healthcare, gender equality, and emergency response.

About the Fellowship

The WFP Innovation Accelerator is launching the second edition of the Humanitarian Innovation Accelerator (HIA), powered by the Government of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. HIA aims to support technology-powered solutions addressing pressing challenges faced by vulnerable populations and humanitarian actors. The platform supports selected ventures and solution providers with financial, technical, and methodological support from the WFP Innovation Accelerator and its partner ecosystem.

• Hands-on support: Access to a co-creation learning experience designed to refine your solution and activate your path to scale.
• Visibility: A chance  to showcase your solution on a global stage to pitch and network with technical experts, industry leaders and investors at the Luxembourg Humanitarian Days.
• Funding: Apply for equity-free funding of up to USD $150,000 to implement your proposed scaling plan over a 12-month sprint.
• Mentorship and Global Access: Participants who receive funding  will receive up to 12 months of acceleration support from the WFP Innovation Accelerator and relevant partners through the duration of the sprint.

As extreme weather events, conflict, and displacement escalate, humanitarian needs continue to grow, outpacing available resources. Addressing these complex and interconnected challenges requires a shift from traditional humanitarian approaches to more adaptive, technology-driven solutions and strategic partnerships. Technological advancements have the potential to mitigate disasters, enhance emergency response efficiency, and transform the lives of vulnerable communities worldwide. HIA seeks proven, innovative, technology-driven solutions that provide crisis-affected populations with access to information, financial resources, and essential infrastructure. Additionally, HIA seeks innovations that strengthen humanitarian organizations’ crisis management and coordination capabilities.

We welcome applications from established startups, companies, NGOs, and organizations ready to scale impactful solutions for global humanitarian challenges to showcase their innovations that fit under one of four challenges areas. We also welcome “wildcard” entries, including cutting-edge technologies that currently operate in other sectors but have strong potential to be adapted for humanitarian and emergency settings.

Eligibility

• Your organization must be an established legal entity (for-profit, non for profit, social business, NGO, INGO) for at least 2 years.
• Your organization should already have a presence in the country of implementation, has built partnerships or has evidence of interest from potential partners and stakeholders, specifically with relevant humanitarian actors.
• Your innovation should have a clear pathway to scale and a potential plan to implement during the 12-month Sprint with the available funding.
• Solutions must be beyond the prototype/pilot phase, with demonstrated evidence of user adoption, operational feasibility, and readiness to scale impact.
• Applicants are expected to build connections with the innovation ecosystem of Luxembourg

Key Considerations:

• We prioritize organizations that focus on empowering women, either through their beneficiaries, job creation, or by having a high representation of women in leadership positions.
• The organization pays attention to environmental protection, as well as social inclusion and cohesion.

How to Apply

Apply by April 20, 11:59 pm (CEST)

Apply

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