Open applications - apply today!
SDG2 Open Call for applications
Every year we host multiple Innovation Challenge campaigns with particular themes. We encourage people to apply with innovative solutions in line with these challenges. We also have a rolling application process to accept and review applications multiple times throughout the year. Please look out for specific challenges or submit your project to be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Active programmes
Climate Adaptation Innovation Accelerator Programme | Adaptation Fund
The WFP Innovation Accelerator, with support from the Adaptation Fund, has launched the Climate Adaptation Innovation Accelerator Programme as part of the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) partnership. This year, the initiative aims to identify, support and scale high-impact innovations that enhance climate adaptation in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt.
Humanitarian Innovation Accelerator Programme
The Humanitarian Innovation Accelerator Programme aims to support technology-powered solutions addressing pressing global challenges faced in the humanitarian space. The programme will select ventures and solution providers who will receive financial, technical, and methodological support from the WFP Innovation Accelerator, and other partners. It is currently looking for it's second cohort.
PALM Innovation Challenge
The World Food Programme (WFP) supports impactful and fit-for-purpose solutions to strengthen the capacities of local communities to adapt to climate change and improve livelihood opportunities in Iraq.
Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa
The Austrian Federal Chancellery, together with the Kofi Annan Foundation, is supporting entrepreneurial start-ups with a proven business model and a demonstrated social impact to submit their business plans in order to scale their impact and benefit as many Africans as possible. The award is operationally supported by the Austrian Development Agency and the WFP Innovation Accelerator.
Agricultural Innovation for Climate Resilience Programme
The Agricultural Innovation for Climate Resilience Programme (AICR) sought scalable, innovative solutions to help farmers and other agricultural stakeholders build capabilities to mitigate the effects of climate change in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Past programmes
Stability-and-Peace Accelerator
The WFP Innovation Accelerator and CGIAR supported selected teams through a comprehensive programme designed to accelerate the development of promising solutions and prepare them for scaling. Alongside financial, technical and business support, this includes the provision of scientific advisory, aimed at improving the innovator’s ability to create life-changing sustainability impact. Our focus was on sourcing and nurturing solutions that are not only innovative but also sustainable and scalable, with the potential to create lasting positive change in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
Digital Health Innovation Accelerator Programme
The Digital Health Innovation Accelerator Programme (DHIAP) supported scalable digital solutions using open standards and approaches to creating global goods. These solutions focused on building and supporting pandemic preparedness capabilities, speeding up demand-driven vaccine distribution and restoring communities and health systems.
PREP Innovation Challenge
WFP Philippines and USAID, in collaboration with the WFP Innovation Accelerator, sourced impactful and fit-for-purpose solutions to enhance the Philippines’ emergency preparedness and response for the Preparedness and Response Excellence in the Philippines (PREP) Forum.
Energy for Food Security
WFP Niger in collaboration with the WFP Innovation Accelerator sought innovative solutions supporting the Energy for Food Security programme. This initiative identified and scaled cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions for cooking and agricultural practices across crisis-affected and stable regions of Niger.
Digital Green Innovation Acceleration Programme (DGIx)
The DGIx aimed to support technology-powered solutions addressing pressing environmental challenges. The programme leveraged the interconnectedness between digitalisation and climate change by utilising the potential of ventures and consortiums developing digital tools for climate action. The programme was closed in 2024.
Relief & Resilience: WFP's Innovation Challenge
This edition of the WFP Innovation Challenge aimed to identify and support disruptive social innovations that address key challenges in the fight against hunger. We were particularly interested in solutions for humanitarian assistance and supply chain resilience as we aim to ensure that every donor dollar goes further in addressing hunger while reducing the need for ration cuts.