Apply for WFP Innovation Challenge 2022

Deadline: 3-Apr-22

Apply for World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Challenge 2022 to receive up to US $100,000 in equity-free funding, mentorship and access to the world’s largest humanitarian organization.

World Food Programme (WFP) have launched the WFP Call for Applications in search of game-changing ideas to build stronger, more sustainable food systems, addressing hunger at the root and galvanizing international cooperation on food security.

This year’s campaign challenges them to innovatively rethink the food systems. They are looking for disruptive innovations for fighting hunger in areas such as resilience to shocks and stress; access to safe and nutritious food; and advancing equitable livelihoods for all.

Priorities

WFP’s current innovation priorities are:

• Resilient Food Systems: Improving the resilience of food systems is key to eradicating hunger. They are looking for solutions that enable communities to better resist and recover from the effects of conflict, natural hazards, climate change, pandemics, political instability and other shocks and stressors that impact food security in the long term.
• Safe and Nutritious Food Systems: To end hunger and all forms of malnutrition, they need food systems that bring affordable and safe food products to all people. They are looking for solutions that increase the availability of nutritious food, making food more affordable and accessible.
• Inclusive Food Systems: Building food systems where no one is left behind will bring them a step closer to a world free from hunger. They are looking to support solutions that promote equitable livelihoods for all by empowering smallholder farmers and local producers and bringing food and income-generating activities to communities at the last mile.

Benefits

• Selected teams will be invited to participate in a fully virtual WFP Innovation Bootcamp in June 2022 for a week.
• Projects are able to apply for the WFP Sprint Programme, a six-month acceleration programme with access of up to US$ 100,000 in equity-free funding, mentorship, and WFP’s global network of partners and vast field operations.
• Scaling innovations that have proven their concepts and value for social impact may qualify for further funding and support.
• The WFP Innovation Accelerator has a track record of organizing 40 flagship innovation bootcamps, supporting over 387 teams to rapidly refine their innovations, field testing over 100 projects within WFP operations, and bringing 16 disruptive innovations to scale, reaching more than 8.6 million people in 2021 alone.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applications will be scored according to a standard set of criteria set by the WFP Innovation Accelerator, including:
  • Alignment with WFP priorities and the impact towards the Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.
  • The level of innovation the solution brings to WFP and the humanitarian sector at large.
  • Indicators that the solution can be feasibly integrated and financed in the long-term, including the team qualifications.
• 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.
  • They accept project applications from WFP employees who are collaborating with NGOs, government or private sectors.

For more information, visit https://innovation.wfp.org/apply