Deadline: 15-Dec-2025
The Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge, organized by Welthungerhilfe, is designed to spark innovation that can reshape the future of food systems, particularly across the Global South.
The Challenge focuses on creating food solutions that are both nutritious and sustainable while ensuring equitable access for communities around the world. Its goal is to identify and support groundbreaking ideas that make nutritious food more available, strengthen local food systems, and enhance environmental sustainability.
Applicants are encouraged to bring forward ideas that contribute to one or more of three main outcomes—safe and nutritious food for all, sustainable and regenerative production practices, and equitable access to food that is trusted, affordable, and culturally relevant. The competition promotes a holistic approach to food system transformation, recognizing that innovation must balance nutrition, environment, and equity to have long-term impact.
Three award categories provide pathways for different stages of innovation. Seed Grants of up to USD 25,000 are available for early-stage ideas and prototypes with strong potential. Growth Grants, up to USD 100,000, support mid-stage innovations that have demonstrated viability and are ready to expand their reach. The Grand Prizes, worth up to USD 250,000, reward mature solutions that show a high capacity for scale and system-wide influence. Each round of funding is designed to accelerate projects toward meaningful and lasting change.
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, community-based groups, research institutions, social enterprises, and young businesses with a clear social or environmental mission. Projects must demonstrate measurable results, community engagement, and a commitment to sustainable impact. While individuals are not eligible to apply independently, collaborations between different sectors and disciplines are strongly encouraged to promote diversity of thought and approach.
Beyond funding, the Challenge provides global visibility, expert feedback, and opportunities for networking with innovators, partners, and investors. Finalists and winners will gain exposure through Welthungerhilfe’s global platforms and may be invited to present their projects at international events focused on food security and sustainable development. The program’s emphasis on scalability ensures that supported innovations can contribute to global goals such as ending hunger, combating climate change, and fostering resilient livelihoods.
By investing in creative, locally driven solutions, the Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge underscores the importance of collective action in transforming how the world produces, distributes, and consumes food. It aims to empower innovators whose work can inspire global change while delivering tangible benefits to communities most affected by food insecurity and environmental challenges.
For more information, visit Welthungerhilfe.
