Applications Invited for Relief & Resilience: WFP Innovation Challenge

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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 Challenge

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

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

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.

For more information please check the Link

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