The WFP Innovation Accelerator is launching the second edition of the Humanitarian Innovation Accelerator (HIA), powered by the Government of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. HIA aims to support technology-powered solutions addressing pressing challenges faced by vulnerable populations and humanitarian actors. The platform supports selected ventures and solution providers with financial, technical, and methodological support from the WFP Innovation Accelerator and its partner ecosystem.
Criteria
As extreme weather events, conflict, and displacement escalate, humanitarian needs continue to grow, outpacing available resources. Addressing these complex and interconnected challenges requires a shift from traditional humanitarian approaches to more adaptive, technology-driven solutions and strategic partnerships. Technological advancements have the potential to mitigate disasters, enhance emergency response efficiency, and transform the lives of vulnerable communities worldwide. HIA seeks proven, innovative, technology-driven solutions that provide crisis-affected populations with access to information, financial resources, and essential infrastructure. Additionally, HIA seeks innovations that strengthen humanitarian organizations’ crisis management and coordination capabilities.
They welcome applications from established startups, companies, NGOs, and organizations ready to scale impactful solutions for global humanitarian challenges to showcase their innovations that fit under one of four challenge areas. They also welcome “wildcard” entries, including cutting-edge technologies that currently operate in other sectors but have strong potential to be adapted for humanitarian and emergency settings. Learn more here.
Geographies of Interest
They strongly encourage applications from organizations implementing solutions in the following regions:
Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, Libya,, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar Niger, Palestine, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen
* Applications outside these regions will still be considered if they demonstrate alignment with the call for applications and eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Criteria
Your organization must be an established legal entity (for-profit, non for profit, social business, NGO, INGO) for at least 2 years.
Your organization should already have a presence in the country of implementation, has built partnerships or has evidence of interest from potential partners and stakeholders, specifically with relevant humanitarian actors.
Your innovation should have a clear pathway to scale and a potential plan to implement during the 12-month Sprint with the available funding.
Solutions must be beyond the prototype/pilot phase, with demonstrated evidence of user adoption, operational feasibility, and readiness to scale impact.
Applicants are expected to build connections with the innovation ecosystem of Luxembourg
* Key Considerations:
They prioritize organizations that focus on empowering women, either through their beneficiaries, job creation or by having a high representation of women in leadership positions.
The organization pays attention to environmental protection, as well as social inclusion and cohesion.
Learn about the evaluation criteria and more details here.
Benefits
Hands-on support
Access to a co-creation learning experience designed to refine your solution and activate your path to scale.
Visibility
A chance to showcase your solution on a global stage to pitch and network with technical experts, industry leaders and investors at the Luxembourg Humanitarian Days.
Funding
Apply for equity-free funding of up to $150,000 to implement your proposed scaling plan over a 12-month sprint.
Mentorship and Global Access
Participants who receive funding will receive up to 12 months of acceleration support from the WFP Innovation Accelerator and relevant partners through the duration of the sprint.
Application process
1. To submit your application, please fill in the Application Form before April 20, 11:59 pm (CEST)
2. Or, if you know a relevant venture or solution for us to consider for this program, please let us know by filling out this Referral Submission Form.
3. We will review and select successful applications to invite to HIA. While we value all applications, we are only able to contact shortlisted applicants.
