The UN WFP innovation Accelerator x Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) Program 2025 is currently accepting applications. If you have a climate innovation that can improve communities' resilience and adaptability for food security, please click here to learn more and apply.
About UN WFP innovation Accelerator x Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA)
Opportunity Details
This programme is run by the WFP Innovation Accelerator and consists of four cohorts running from 2024 to 2029. Each year, the programme focuses on a different region, identifying, supporting and scaling locally rooted solutions that enhance climate adaptation and resilience, particularly in communities impacted by extreme weather events. In 2025, this new call for applications is focused on Asia, specifically innovations for Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines. We call on innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to bring forward groundbreaking solutions to drive resilience, enhance climate adaptability, and promote sustainable development in affected communities. By strengthening local capacities and fostering partnerships, we strive to enhance climate resilience and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2: ‘Zero Hunger’ and SDG 13: ‘Climate Action’.
Benefits of UN WFP innovation Accelerator x Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA)
- Innovation Consultancy: Expert innovation management assistance from the WFP Innovation Accelerator.
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Visibility: Extensive visibility across multiple WFP social media channels and other platforms
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Funding: Up to US$ 200,000 in equity free funding per startup admitted to the sprint programme through competitive grants based on the stage of your solution.
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Access to WFP's Field Operations: Access to WFP’s field operations and opportunity to engage in comprehensive field testing.
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Mentors Support: Nine months Sprint Programme combining business-oriented training, mentoring, and technical assistance from the WFP Innovation Accelerator. Access to a diverse pool of mentors from top-tier organizations in various sectors.
UN WFP innovation Accelerator x Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) Requirements
- Your organization must be an established legal entity (for-profit, not-for-profit, social business, NGO, INGO).
- Your organization should have a presence or willingness to build a presence in one of the three countries of implementation (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon). This could take the form of a country office or other permanent presence, subsidiary, long-term operations or partnerships in the country.
- Your innovation addresses at least one of the above-mentioned priority areas related to pressing challenges faced in the climate adaptation space of the country of implementation.
- Your innovation must be at least in the seed stage. Solutions that are still at the idea, research or early pre-seed stage are not eligible.
- Your innovation should have a clear pathway to scale, adequate resources and a proposed plan to implement during the six-month Sprint Programme with the available funding.
- Applicants are expected to have strong intentions to collaborate with relevant humanitarian stakeholders, build relationships with the country offices, and connect with the innovation ecosystems.
- Interventions classified as Category A based on the environmental and social sustainability framework indicating a high risk of irreversible adverse impacts, will not be accepted.
Following the requirements mentioned on the left, your application will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Level of innovation/innovativeness: The solution is novel, innovative and has a strong climate adaptation regarding the mentioned themes.
- Relevance to the context: The solution addresses at least one of the above-mentioned priority areas, is suitable for at least one of the three country contexts, and provides concrete solutions to end-users or the ecosystem.
- Financial sustainability and scalability: The solution showcases a clear business model and a robust sustainable revenue model relative to its maturity stage.
- Team expertise and capabilities: Proven competence, technical coherence, commitment, motivation, entrepreneurial mindset and a diverse and inclusive team.
- Climate adaptation: The solution effectively enhances resilience to climate impacts, promotes sustainable practices, improves resource efficiency, and facilitates adaptive measures to address climate-related challenges.
- Level of Impact: Evidence of tangible historical and projected impact towards solving a defined challenge related to climate adaptation, demonstrating long-term, sustainable change beyond the grant period.
- Environmental and social sustainability: The solution adheres to the environmental and social principles of the Adaptation Fund.
- Gender and Inclusion: Solutions must address diverse user needs, enable inclusive participation and decision-making, and use disaggregated data and feedback to inform design and impact.
Application Date and Process
Following the close of applications for our Asia cohort, we will review submissions and select 10 to 12 successful candidates in November 2025. Those selected will be invited to participate in an Innovation Bootcamp scheduled for January 2026.
Please note that acceptance into the bootcamp does not guarantee you will receive funding. The bootcamp teams will go through an additional assessment phase, and only successful candidates will be awarded equity-free funding.
Application Deadline
21 September, 2025
Scholarship Application Portal
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UN WFP innovation Accelerator x Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA)
Apply for UN WFP innovation Accelerator x Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA)
