Call for Proposals: Resilience in Gazira 2026 (Sudan)

The World Food Programme (WFP) is inviting applications from eligible partners to support vulnerable communities in Gezira, Sudan through food security, livelihood assistance, cash-based support, and agricultural capacity-building activities. The programme focuses on improving household resilience, strengthening smallholder agriculture, supporting local value chains, and enhancing climate adaptation through community-based interventions.

Overview of the WFP Food Security and Livelihood Programme in Gezira

The World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a partnership opportunity to identify organizations capable of implementing food security and livelihood support activities in Gezira State, Sudan.

The programme aims to assist vulnerable and food-insecure communities through integrated interventions that combine emergency support with longer-term livelihood development.

The initiative focuses on improving access to food, strengthening household resilience, supporting agricultural production, and enhancing the ability of communities to recover from shocks.

Purpose of the Programme

The main objective of the WFP initiative is to improve food security and strengthen livelihoods among vulnerable populations in Gezira.

The programme aims to:

• Provide food assistance to food-insecure households.
• Support livelihood recovery and income generation.
• Improve agricultural production capacity.
• Strengthen smallholder farmer systems.
• Support climate adaptation and resilience.
• Improve participation in local agricultural markets.

Key Focus Areas

The programme is implemented through two major activity areas:

Food Security Support

The food security component focuses on supporting vulnerable households through:

• Food assistance.
• Safety-net mechanisms.
• Emergency support for food-insecure populations.
• Community-based assistance approaches.

These interventions aim to improve household access to food and reduce vulnerability during periods of crisis.

Livelihood Assistance and Agricultural Support

The livelihood component focuses on strengthening economic opportunities through:

• Cash and voucher assistance.
• Smallholder agricultural market support.
• Income-generating activities.
• Agricultural skills development.
• Support for producer groups.

The programme encourages sustainable livelihoods by connecting communities with local value chains and markets.

Programme Activities

Implementation will take place through two main WFP activities:

Activity 6: Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) and Cash-Based Transfers (CBT)

This activity supports communities through:

• Asset creation.
• Rehabilitation of community assets.
• Cash-based transfers.
• Technical assistance.
• Safety-net mechanisms.

The objective is to help households reduce exposure to economic and climate-related shocks while strengthening community resilience.

Supported activities may include projects that improve local infrastructure and community resources while providing income opportunities.

Activity 7: Smallholder Agricultural Market Support (SAMS) and Capacity Strengthening

This activity focuses on improving agricultural livelihoods through:

• Support for smallholder farmers.
• Strengthening producer groups.
• Improving agricultural institutions.
• Enhancing sustainable production methods.
• Supporting value addition.
• Increasing market engagement.

The programme aims to improve agricultural productivity and create stronger connections between farmers and markets.

Implementation Areas

Activities will be implemented in selected localities within Gezira State.

The specific implementation locations will be identified by:

• WFP Area Office assessments.
• Local needs analysis.
• Geographic targeting processes.

Needs Assessment Process

After signing the partnership agreement, WFP will conduct a rapid needs assessment with selected partners.

The assessment will help:

• Confirm priority community needs.
• Identify target populations.
• Refine geographic focus areas.
• Select appropriate interventions.
• Develop implementation plans.

The assessment process will use WFP approaches and tools to ensure activities respond to actual community conditions.

Who Can Participate?

The call is intended for organizations with relevant experience in:

• Food security programming.
• Livelihood support.
• Agricultural development.
• Cash-based assistance.
• Community resilience projects.
• Capacity strengthening.
• Local market development.

Eligible partners should have the ability to implement humanitarian and development activities effectively in Gezira.

Expected Partner Capabilities

Organizations applying should demonstrate:

• Experience working with vulnerable communities.
• Knowledge of food security and livelihood interventions.
• Technical expertise in agriculture and market support.
• Capacity to conduct community engagement.
• Ability to manage programme implementation and reporting.

Why This Programme Matters

Sudan continues to face significant food security and livelihood challenges affecting vulnerable households.

The WFP Gezira programme contributes by:

• Supporting households facing food insecurity.
• Creating livelihood opportunities.
• Strengthening local agricultural systems.
• Improving resilience against climate and economic shocks.
• Supporting sustainable community development.

By combining humanitarian assistance with livelihood strengthening, the programme aims to create more resilient communities.

How the Partnership Process Works

Step 1: Submit Expression of Interest

Interested organizations submit applications demonstrating their suitability and relevant experience.

Step 2: Partner Assessment

WFP reviews applications based on:

• Technical capacity.
• Sector experience.
• Implementation ability.
• Local knowledge.
• Organizational capability.

Step 3: Partnership Agreement

Selected organizations enter into a partnership agreement with WFP.

Step 4: Conduct Rapid Needs Assessment

Partners work with WFP Area Offices to identify community priorities and finalize interventions.

Step 5: Implement Activities

Approved partners deliver activities related to:

• Food assistance.
• Cash support.
• Asset creation.
• Agricultural development.
• Livelihood strengthening.

Key Outcomes Expected

The programme aims to achieve:

• Improved food security among vulnerable households.
• Increased livelihood opportunities.
• Stronger agricultural production systems.
• Improved market participation for farmers.
• Enhanced climate resilience.
• Greater community capacity to manage future shocks.

Common Challenges and Implementation Considerations

Organizations should consider:

• Local security conditions.
• Community access challenges.
• Coordination with local authorities.
• Effective targeting of vulnerable households.
• Sustainable implementation approaches.

Tips for Strong Applications

Organizations can strengthen applications by:

• Demonstrating previous WFP or UN partnership experience.
• Providing evidence of successful food security projects.
• Highlighting local presence and community relationships.
• Presenting realistic implementation plans.
• Showing technical expertise in agriculture and livelihoods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the WFP Gezira Food Security and Livelihood Programme?

It is a WFP initiative supporting vulnerable communities in Gezira State through food assistance, livelihood support, agricultural development, and resilience-building activities.

What activities will the programme support?

The programme supports food assistance, cash-based transfers, asset creation, agricultural capacity building, smallholder farmer support, and market engagement.

Who are the main beneficiaries of the programme?

The programme targets vulnerable and food-insecure households, smallholder farmers, producer groups, and agricultural institutions.

What are Activity 6 and Activity 7 under the programme?

Activity 6 focuses on Food Assistance for Assets and Cash-Based Transfers, while Activity 7 focuses on Smallholder Agricultural Market Support and capacity strengthening.

Where will the activities take place?

Activities will be implemented in selected localities within Gezira State identified through WFP assessments and area office coordination.

How will intervention areas be selected?

WFP will conduct a rapid needs assessment after partnership agreements are signed to validate needs and guide geographic targeting.

What type of organizations can apply?

Organizations with experience in food security, livelihoods, agriculture, community resilience, and humanitarian programming are encouraged to apply.

Conclusion

The WFP Food Security and Livelihood Support Programme in Gezira provides an opportunity for organizations to contribute to improving food security, strengthening livelihoods, and building community resilience in Sudan. Through food assistance, cash-based support, agricultural development, and capacity strengthening, the initiative aims to help vulnerable communities recover from shocks and achieve more sustainable livelihoods.