Elevating innovation amidst the global food crisis

In 2023, amidst stretched donor resources and multiple humanitarian crises, innovation is one of the sources of hope and inspiration. The WFP Innovation Accelerator and the network of WFP Innovation Hubs and Offices, alongside our partners, supporters and the dedicated WFP staff worldwide, have harnessed the power of technology to make emergency response more efficient, effective and sustainable.

From supporting global humanitarian efforts and promoting efficiency gains to driving localized initiatives for climate and food, our innovations have created positive change for some of the most vulnerable people across the globe.

Read more in our End of Year Letter.

Nilus selected as finalist for US$6M award pool at Founders Games

Nilus, part of our Scale-Up Enablement portfolio, will pitch their supply-chain innovation at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Unleashing the power of innovation to reduce food loss & waste

We featured two SDGx Portfolio Innovations working to reduce global food loss & waste in Rural 21, an international development journal.

Join us virtually on Wednesday, 31 January for the Digital & Green Innovation Accelerator Pitch Event!

Digital transformation can pave the way for a sustainable future, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Witness the newest cohort of cutting-edge start-ups and social entrepreneurs piloting their solutions across Africa. Register here.

Bringing SDG Innovation to the World Economic Forum

On 18 January 2024, we are hosting “Galvanizing Impact Innovation for Zero Hunger”, an official side-event of the 2024 World Economic Forum meetings at Davos. This intimate event will focus on impact innovations with a global scaling trajectory to reach Zero Hunger and related Sustainable Development Goals. If you are a WEF Affiliate Badge Holder and would like to join this event, please contact us.

New partnership with Adaptation Fund affirms commitment to fighting climate and hunger crises

The new Accelerator Programme, launching this year, will provide technical support and grants to climate innovations.

Global climate leaders discuss innovation on COP28 stage

Our COP28 side event showcased innovative partnerships and game-changing solutions to the climate crisis.

The Hill, “We cannot settle for a world half fed and half hungry”

WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain and US Senator Chris Coons affirm that if we do not feed hungry people, we feed instability and chaos that will reverberate back home.

UN News, “COP28: Bring the vulnerable to ‘front of the line’ for climate funding”

Climate advocates called for a shift to “more inclusive and innovative humanitarianism.”

Future non-profit podcast, “Foundations for success”

Bernhard Kowatsch, Head of the WFP Innovation Accelerator, discusses how we work to bring potentially game-changing innovations to fruition and scale.

Devex, “How the World Food Programme is using AI “

Bernhard Kowatsch, Head of the WFP Innovation Accelerator

shared what artificial intelligence could mean for global development organizations.

Igniting change podcast, “Tackling global hunger with technology, startups and big data”

Bernhard Kowatsch, Head of the WFP Innovation Accelerator

also joined the Igniting Change podcast by 3 Sided Cube reshape perceptions of technology's profound role in driving social impact.

The WFP Innovation Accelerator was launched by the UN World Food Programme in 2015 to source new ideas, sprint pilot projects, and scale high-impact innovations. From its base in Munich, Germany, the Innovation Accelerator has grown to become one of the world's leading social impact startup accelerators. In 2022 alone, its portfolio of over 150 innovations reached 37 million people worldwide. Since launch, that Innovation Accelerator has maintained a 2X annual growth rate, and secured over USD 200 million in grants.