WFP and CGIAR Stability and Peace Accelerator Programme for Startups and Innovators ($30,000 grant)

The issue of hunger and malnutrition is particularly severe in fragile and conflict-affected areas, where more than 1.5 billion people are at risk of food insecurity and loss of livelihoods. To tackle this challenge, the CGIAR and the World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator are launching the “Stability-and-Peace Accelerator Programme.” This program aims to identify and scale up innovative solutions that strengthen food, land, and water systems in these vulnerable regions.

We are inviting innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to step forward with groundbreaking ideas that can build resilience, ensure food and nutrition security, promote climate adaptability, and foster social cohesion and sustainability in communities affected by conflict and fragility.

What we bring to the table is a collaboration between CGIAR and the WFP Innovation Accelerator, specifically through the CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration. This partnership combines the expertise of the WFP Innovation Accelerator, which has a proven track record of organizing innovation bootcamps, supporting numerous teams, and field testing solutions that have positively impacted millions of people in 2022 alone. By merging this with CGIAR’s dedicated research agenda, which aims to deliver scientific advancements and innovations in the face of the climate crisis, our collaboration will strengthen climate resilience, promote gender equity, and foster social inclusion. Together, we strive to address the complex challenges posed by the climate crisis and provide sustainable solutions for the most vulnerable populations.

What we offer to boost innovations:

Six-month Sprint acceleration programme combining business-oriented training, mentoring, and science-based technical assistance from the WFP Innovation Accelerator
Access to the research network of CGIAR, the world’s largest publicly funded research-for-development organization
In-country strategy workshop to kick off implementation
US$30,000 equity-free grant for each of the winning innovations with a proven sustainable business model and scaling plan
Exposure to national and international funders
Post-acceleration support

In the search for innovative solutions, CGIAR and the WFP Innovation Accelerator are seeking both low and high-tech options that are customized to address the unique challenges found in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings (FCAs) in Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, and Yemen. We also welcome unconventional entries that show promise. Our goal is to discover and assist outstanding innovations from across the globe that have the capacity to tackle these challenges on a large scale. The current innovation priorities for each country, as determined by WFP and CGIAR, are provided below:

• Jordan – Water and resilience in refugee and host communities
• Kenya -Digital solutions for climate security and migration
• Nigeria – Resilient food systems and nutrition
• Yemen – Water and resilience in conflict-affected areas

Eligibility requirements

• To be eligible, your organization must be a legally established entity, whether it is for-profit, not-for-profit, a social business, an NGO, or an INGO.
• Additionally, your organization should either already have a presence in one of the four countries where the project will be implemented (Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, or Yemen), or be willing to establish a presence there. This presence can take various forms, such as a country office, a subsidiary, long-term operations, or partnerships within the country.
• Furthermore, your innovation must address one or more of the priority innovation areas that are directly related to the pressing challenges faced in the humanitarian field of the country where it will be implemented.
• It is also required that your innovation has already reached the minimum viable product stage and is now preparing for scaling up.
• Moreover, your innovation should have a clear plan for scaling and be ready to implement this plan during the six-month Sprint, using the available funding.
• Applicants are expected to have a strong intention to collaborate with relevant humanitarian stakeholders, establish relationships with CGIAR country offices, and engage with the innovation ecosystems.
• Lastly, applicants should demonstrate a clear need for research and development in order to further develop their innovation conceptually and commercially.

Evaluation criteria

Your application will undergo evaluation based on the following criteria:

1. Level of innovation/innovativeness: The solution should demonstrate novelty, innovation, and a significant social impact in relation to the mentioned themes.

2. Relevance to the context: The solution must address at least one of the priority areas, be suitable for one of the four country contexts, and offer practical solutions for end-users or target beneficiaries.

3. Sustainability and scalability of the solution: The solution should have a well-defined business model and a sustainable revenue plan.

4. Quality of the team: The team should possess proven competence, technical coherence, commitment, motivation, an entrepreneurial mindset, and should be diverse and inclusive.

5. Clearly defined needs: The solution should identify areas for expansion or improvement that can be addressed through venture and capacity building, as well as research and development.

Please note that the eligibility criteria may be adjusted based on the evolving context and new information.

How to Apply

• Refer to the full criteria in the Call for Applications.
• To submit your application, please complete the Application Form before 16 February 2024, 11:59 pm (CET).
• We will review and select successful applications in April/May 2024. While we value all applications, we are only able to contact shortlisted applicants.
• For more information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions.