WFP Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs 2024

Every year, we host multiple WFP Innovation Challenges in search of game-changing innovations that deliver relief, foster, resilience and end hunger. 

Over 309 million people are facing acute levels of food insecurity in 2024 in the 123 countries with WFP operations. The convergence of multiple crises – conflict, extreme climate patterns and economic shocks – is driving hunger, eroding livelihoods, and entrenching vulnerabilities especially in the worst hit food crisis countries.?? These multifaceted crises have made food inaccessible for millions of people, placing significant strain on WFP's operations. We encourage people to apply innovative ideas that support WFP's operation.

You could either apply for topic-specific cohorts or submit your project to be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application will automatically be considered for future programmes.

• Table of Content
• About World Food Programme (WFP)
• WFP Innovation Challenge
• Aim and Benefits of WFP Innovation Challenge
• Requirements for WFP Innovation Challenge Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for WFP Innovation Challenge
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About World Food Programme (WFP)

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator sources, supports and scales high-impact innovations to achieve Zero Hunger. Based in Munich, Germany, we provide WFP employees, entrepreneurs and startups with funding, hands-on support and access to WFP’s global operations. Through the Innovation Accelerator, WFP is leveraging unprecedented advances in digital innovation—such as mobile technology, artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain—and new business models to transform the way we serve vulnerable communities across the world. Building on... continue reading

WFP Innovation Challenge

Aim and Benefits of WFP Innovation Challenge

• Innovation Consultancy: Dedicated Innovation Consultant providing project management support and creating enablers for scalability.
• WPF Access: Creation of strategic collaborations between the Sprint team and WFP field operations, HQ Business Unit and/or Regional Bureaus towards testing and scaling within WFP and beyond
• Funding: Access to up to US$100,000 equity-free funding to test the venture’s scalability potential.
• Mentor Support: Access to need-specific mentors from our broad innovation ecosystem. Our mentors come from diverse backgrounds including experts from humanitarian agencies and partners such as John Deere, Netlight and Google.
• Visibility: Production and dissemination of project visibility materials to internal and external audiences, including through social media and the Accelerator web page

Requirements for WFP Innovation Challenge Qualification

If you are a startup

• Your organization must be an established legal entity.  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 organization should have a presence or willingness to build a presence in one of 123 countries and territories that WFP operates in. 
• Your proposal must show how working with WFP will serve your long-term strategy.
• Your innovation should have a potential plan to implement during the six-month Sprint with the available funding and a clear pathway to scale.

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 applications from WFP employees

Interview date, Process and Venue for WFP Innovation Challenge

Evaluation criteria

Applications submitted to the WFP Innovation Accelerator are assessed according to a standard set of criteria, and are reviewed by both WFP and external experts. Please note that we prioritize projects that are designed alongside our core users — vulnerable communities — and that show initial traction and market validation to ensure impact and maximize cost-effectiveness. We are looking for innovations that meet the following expectations:

Your application will be evaluated according to the following criteria*: 

• Impact: The idea has the potential to impact millions of WFP beneficiaries and can be scaled
• Feasibility: The solution can be effectively developed, deployed, and maintained 
• Level of Innovation: The idea is a new technology, approach of applying existing technology, process or business model addressing a problem
• Financial Sustainability: The solution has a robust plan to ensure sustainable revenue generation beyond WFP funding
• Team: Team members have relevant experience and are committed to the project

*We reserve the right to adjust eligibility criteria based on the changing context as new information becomes available.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details,visit WFP website