World Food Programme Innovation Challenge 2022

Do you have a startup or innovation that can help reduce the global crisis? Does your start-up/company help mitigate rising cost of inputs & food; Strengthen productivy and outcomes of food value chain and build resilient communities through livelihood creation and youth engagement?

Apply today for this exciting Innovation Challenge and receive upto $100,000 equity free funding, support to refine your solutions, benefit from WFP accelerator Programme and get access to a wide global network of stakeholders working in the food security.

Up to 828 million people – more than one in ten of the world’s population – still go to bed hungry each night. A deadly combination of conflict, climate change, and the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is at the root of soaring hunger numbers. The economic fallout of the pandemic, and then the war in Ukraine, has pushed prices up and put food out of reach for millions of people across the world. These rising costs are also affecting WFP’s work. Already at the start of 2022, the price WFP was paying for food was up by 30 percent compared to 2019, and the cost of delivering it had risen by an additional US$42 million a month.

Therefore, for this edition of the WFP Innovation Challenge, we are specifically looking for low and high tech solutions including digital tools. We also encourage strong “wildcard ideas” to apply. Together with the brightest and best minds globally, we will be able to end hunger. WFP’s current innovation priorities are listed below:

1. Innovative solutions to mitigate the rising cost of inputs and food.
2. Innovative solutions to strengthen productivity and outcomes along food value chains.
3. Innovative solutions to build resilient communities through livelihood creation and youth engagement.

What we offer

Funding
Apply to receive up to $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 units on the ground to further develop and refine their solutions.

Hands-On Support
You’ll have the chance to work with technical and industry mentors who will provide guidance and accelerate your progress. Selected projects will be able to apply for the WFP Sprint Programme, a six-month acceleration programme that may qualify for further funding and support.

Networking
Teams will be able to tap into and leverage our strong network of public, private, and government partners to accelerate implementation.

Eligibility requirements

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 project applications from WFP employees who are collaborating with NGOs, government or private sectors.