In a bold move to combat global hunger, the United Nations World Food Programme has unveiled its latest Innovation Challenge through its Innovation Accelerator.

This initiative, born in Munich in 2015, has evolved into a powerhouse for social impact startups, leveraging WFP’s expansive network across 120+ nations to nurture groundbreaking ideas and scale impactful solutions.

Details About the WFP Innovation Challenge: Relief & Resilience 2024

The urgency of this challenge is  underscored by staggering statistics: up to 828 million individuals face nightly hunger, while an unprecedented 333 million grapple with acute food insecurity. The global food crisis has been exacerbated by a perfect storm of factors, including pandemic-induced economic turmoil, climate change repercussions, and geopolitical tensions, particularly the Ukraine conflict.

The focus is on identifying and nurturing disruptive social innovations that tackle the root causes of hunger. Of particular interest are ingenious approaches to humanitarian assistance and supply chain resilience. The ultimate goal is to maximize the impact of every donated dollar in the fight against hunger while minimizing the need for reduced rations.

Benefits

• Up to $100,000 in equity-free funding, with potential for additional funding based on progress
• Mentorship from WFP’s global network and technical experts
• Participation in a WFP Innovation Bootcamp and Pitch Event
• Access to a network of public, private, and government partners

Eligibility

For Start-ups:

• Must be incorporated at the time of application (for-profit or not-for-profit)
• Should have at least a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
• Must demonstrate financial viability
• Proposal should align with WFP’s strategic goals

For WFP Employees:

– Must have Country Office support and management buy-in

– Open to all employees, regardless of contract type or function

– Collaborative applications with NGOs, government, or private sectors are encouraged

Application Process

1. Fill out the Application Form http://bit.ly/WFP_ApplicationForm
2. If recommending a social innovation, complete the Referral Submission Form https://airtable.com/shrsleTyUbox6WE0J
3. Successful applications will be matched with a WFP Innovation Bootcamp within six months.

For more information, visit the official website at https://innovation.wfp.org/relief-and-resilience

Application Deadline: Ongoing

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