RFPs: Strengthening Food Security and Agricultural Livelihoods in Gezira (Sudan)

The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking partners to implement Activity 6 (Food Assistance for Assets & Cash-Based Transfers) and Activity 7 (Smallholder Agricultural Market Support) in Gezira State, Sudan. The call targets organisations capable of supporting conflict-affected communities through food security interventions, livelihood restoration, resilience-building, and agricultural productivity improvements.

Overview

The World Food Programme has launched a Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) to identify qualified partners to implement two major activities in Gezira State. These interventions aim to support communities heavily affected by conflict, displacement, climate shocks, and declining livelihoods. The focus is on improving food security, restoring productive capacities, strengthening agricultural markets, and building long-term community resilience.

Context: Why This Intervention Matters

Sudan is experiencing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
In Gezira State:

• Agricultural production has collapsed.

• Markets are disrupted.

• Households face extreme food insecurity.

• Climate shocks and conflict have deepened vulnerability.

WFP’s activities aim to stabilize affected communities through fast, scalable, community-driven solutions that restore livelihoods and strengthen local food systems.

Funding Focus Areas

The call prioritizes projects that contribute to:

• Food security and early recovery

• Livelihood restoration

• Cash-based transfers (CBT)

• Food Assistance for Assets (FFA)

• Smallholder Agricultural Market Support (SAMS)

• Climate-resilient agriculture

• Capacity strengthening of farmers and producer groups

• Value addition and post-harvest management

• Market engagement and local economic stimulation

• Income-generating activities in agricultural value chains

• Community-led asset creation and rehabilitation

Breakdown of Activities

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

This component focuses on supporting vulnerable households through:

• Conditional or unconditional cash support

• Community-led creation or rehabilitation of agricultural assets

• Restoration of farmlands, water structures, and productive assets

• Fast-disbursing interventions with minimal procurement

• Strengthening resilience to climate shocks and displacement impacts

Activity 7: Smallholder Agriculture Market Support (SAMS)

This activity aims to improve smallholder productivity and strengthen agricultural markets through:

• Training and capacity development for farmers and farmer groups

• Value addition and improved post-harvest management

• Distribution of agricultural tools and inputs

• Market linkages for farmers and value chain actors

• Support for climate-smart, resilient agricultural systems

Implementation Principles

WFP encourages:

• Community-driven, light, and scalable interventions

• Projects that avoid heavy procurement or large infrastructure

• Fast implementation cycles to match urgent needs

• Resilience-building and self-reliance at household and community levels

• Inclusion of women and youth across all activities

Expected Results

Partners are expected to deliver outcomes such as:

• Increased households reached through CBT and FFA

• Improved food consumption and income stability

• Creation or rehabilitation of productive agricultural assets

• Strengthened capacities of farmers, producer groups, and local institutions

• Enhanced market access and post-harvest systems

• Efficient and timely beneficiary registration and verification

• Greater participation of women and young people

• Distribution of essential agricultural inputs and tools

Who Should Apply?

This call is suitable for organisations that:

• Have demonstrated experience in humanitarian or agricultural programming

• Possess strong field presence in Sudan or similar crisis contexts

• Can rapidly mobilize teams and implement community-based activities

• Understand market systems, cash-based transfers, and agricultural value chains

• Can operate within restricted logistical environments

• Prioritize gender inclusion and community participation

Typical applicants include:

• National NGOs

• International NGOs

• Community-based organisations

• Cooperatives and producer associations

• Institutions experienced in resilience and agriculture programming

(Note: Requirements may be specified further in WFP’s official EOI documents.)

How to Apply

While applicants must follow WFP’s formal EOI submission process, the general steps include:

1. Review the official EOI package

Check for:

• Eligibility criteria

• Required documents

• Technical and financial capacity requirements

2. Prepare your organisational profile

Include:

• Legal registration

• Governance structure

• Previous project experience

• Financial capacity and audit history

3. Develop a technical concept note

Explain:

• Your approach to Activity 6 or Activity 7

• How your organisation will achieve expected results

• Implementation timeline

• Community engagement strategies

• Risk management and mitigation

4. Submit via the designated WFP channel

Follow instructions for file format, deadlines, and contact points.

5. Await evaluation

WFP selects partners based on:

• Technical capacity

• Local presence

• Cost-effectiveness

• Compliance with humanitarian standards

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing heavy infrastructure projects (explicitly excluded)

• Underestimating the need for rapid, scalable implementation

• Weak community engagement or lack of gender inclusion

• Proposals not aligned with food security and agricultural resilience themes

• Submitting incomplete documentation

• Lack of experience in cash-based interventions or market systems

FAQ

1. Can organisations apply for both Activity 6 and Activity 7?
Yes—if they demonstrate strong capacity for both areas.

2. Are large infrastructure projects allowed?
No. The call excludes heavy procurement and large-scale construction to ensure rapid implementation.

3. What types of cash transfers are supported?
Both conditional (linked to asset creation) and unconditional (for relief) cash-based transfers.

4. Is agricultural input distribution permitted?
Yes, as long as it aligns with productivity improvement and smallholder support.

5. Must the project focus only on agriculture?
Agriculture must be central, but activities may extend to market access, value chains, and community asset development.

6. Are women and youth required to be included?
WFP strongly encourages meaningful participation of women and youth in all interventions.

7. How fast must projects be implemented?
Projects must be light, quick to mobilize, and deliver results within restricted timeframes.

Conclusion

This WFP Call for Expression of Interest offers an important opportunity for capable organisations to support crisis-affected communities in Gezira State. By focusing on food security, agricultural resilience, and market strengthening, the intervention aims to deliver rapid, community-driven solutions that restore livelihoods and help households recover from conflict and climate shocks. Partners with strong field capacity and a commitment to resilience-building are best positioned to make a meaningful impact.