The World Food Programme and Cargill Call For Bold Solutions to End Hunger

• 09 Feb, 2019
• Germany

The World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator and Cargill announce a call for applications for the Global Innovation Challenge for Zero Hunger, running from 4 to 28 February 2019. The idea is for start-ups, private companies and NGOs to submit bold solutions that can sustainably lift people out of hunger.

The Global Innovation Challenge for Zero Hunger is looking for proposals that could transform the lives of smallholder farmers and small-scale livestock producers, reach a step change in food systems or increase the effectiveness of emergency response. From mobile applications to artificial intelligence, post-harvest loss prevention to new cultivation techniques, the challenge is seeking low- and high-tech solutions, business model innovations and more.

Selected teams will participate in a joint bootcamp at the WFP Innovation Accelerator from 13 to 17 May 2019 in Munich, Germany, where they will tackle field-level challenges and refine project plans with the hands-on support of industry experts and partners including Cargill leaders. Teams will also get a chance to receive up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding and access to a global network to test the solution’s impact and scalability in the field.

Teams applying to the challenge must:

1. be a registered company, with a for-profit or not-for-profit designation,
2. have a minimum viable product, and
3. show initial evidence of their solution, such as results of user research or initial tests of their prototypes.

Cargill has committed US$550,000 in support of the WFP Innovation Accelerator, which is specifically designed to identify, nurture and scale bold solutions to achieve zero hunger. 

“At Cargill, we invest in innovation to solve some of the greatest food and sustainability challenges of our time,” said Cargill Chairman and CEO David MacLennan. “This includes collaborating with tech start-ups who bring an agile and entrepreneurial approach needed to quickly inspire change. We’re proud to partner with the WFP on a programme dedicated to identifying and creating solutions to feed the world and evolve our global food and agricultural systems.”

David Beasley, Executive Director of WFP, said: “The world is never going to be fully at peace without ending hunger. It is a critical problem for every organization with a global interest, no matter what sector. We will never address this problem and solve it by the United Nations alone, nor by governments alone. The only way we will solve this is by the private sector being integrally engaged and involved. This is why we need to step it up to another level and be even more creative and innovative together.”

This new collaboration builds upon several other programmes Cargill and WFP have jointly launched since the partnership began in 2001. To date, Cargill has provided more than US$12 million to WFP to improve the health and nutrition of people in need around the globe, with an emphasis on developing countries.

The deadline for applications is 28 February 2019. Teams can apply on the website of the WFP Innovation Accelerator: innovation.wfp.org/apply.

For further information please contact:

Cargill:
April Nelson, Cargill/Minneapolis, Tel +1 952 742 9150
april_nelson@cargill.com

WFP:
Jonathan Simms, WFP Innovation Accelerator/Munich, Tel +49 170 247 5283
jonathan.simms@wfp.org
Katharina Weltecke, WFP Innovation & Change Management/Rome, Tel +39 066 513 2494
katharina.weltecke@wfp.org

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About Cargill

Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve its purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, it connects farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive.

Cargill combines 153 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, they are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture. For more information, please contact media@cargill.com.

Follow us on Twitter: @foodsecureworld

About WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) saves lives in emergencies and changes lives for millions through sustainable development. Headquartered in Rome, Italy, WFP works in more than 80 countries around the world, feeding people caught in conflict and disasters, and laying the foundations for a better future.

Located in Munich, Germany, the WFP Innovation Accelerator identifies, nurtures and scales bold solutions to hunger globally. The Accelerator supports WFP innovators, start-ups and companies through financial support, access to a network of experts and global field reach. The Accelerator is generously supported by the Government of Germany. For more information, please contact global.innovation@wfp.org.

Follow us on Twitter: @wfpinnovation #disrupthunger #zerohunger