UN WFP launches programme to strenghten food security in a changing climate under the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator partnership

Established in 2001 under the Kyoto Protocol of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Adaptation Fund finances adaptation projects and programmes in developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

“The climate crisis is a major driver of hunger,” says Saliha Dobardzic, Lead for Programming and Innovation at the Adaptation Fund. “Without immediate global action, we face a future of unprecedented food insecurity and conflict. With such partnership, we prioritize support for innovators and solution finders from communities at risk and the new Climate Adaptation Innovation Accelerator Programme by WFP will enable exactly that, ensuring they have the tools they need to adapt and thrive in a changing climate.”   

“The launch of the Climate Adaptation Innovation Accelerator Programme underscores WFP’s commitment to combating hunger in an overheating climate,” said Gernot Laganda, Climate & Resilience Service Director at WFP. “With support from the Adaptation Fund, this Programme enables governments and local institutions to think differently and find effective new ways to strengthen the resilience of food systems to climate hazards.”  

Earlier this year, WFP held workshops in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt to identify problem statements and develop future climate resilience strategies. These workshops were attended by humanitarian organizations, innovation ecosystem stakeholders and government representatives.

“WFP not only responds to the direct requirements of its beneficiaries but also integrates comprehensive systems-thinking that puts climate-adaptive innovations at the top of its priorities,” said Antoine Renard, WFP Lebanon Deputy Country Director.  

In Jordan, Laurene Goublet, WFP Deputy Country Director said, “Climate change is threatening Jordan’s natural resources, which poses a serious threat to the agriculture sector. Jordan possesses a strong entrepreneurial landscape, which can develop solutions to address these climate challenges, benefiting not only farmers but entire communities.”  

The official call for applications is live on the Climate Adaptation Innovation Accelerator Programme webpage. The webpage provides details on this year's priority themes, eligibility criteria and the sprint programme for selected innovations.  

“We are proud to be supporting the programme’s launch in Egypt, harnessing the power of local innovation that can provide lasting and substantial solutions to those most affected. For a country like Egypt that is both affected by extreme climate and rich in local innovations, this provides necessary resources and support for the development of sustainable solutions led by technology and innovation. This collaboration strongly aligns and contributes to our shared mission to ensure food security for all,” said Jean-Pierre de Margerie, WFP Egypt Country Director. 

“The launch of the Climate Adaptation Innovation Accelerator Programme is a powerful testament that innovation is crucial to tackle food insecurity and climate change. This partnership represents an important chapter in our fight for a food-secure future in a rapidly changing world,” said Bernhard Kowatsch, Head of WFP Innovation Accelerator.  

Last year alone, WFP supported almost 18 million people in 60 countries with specific solutions and services to build resilience and manage climate risks to food security, including through early warning systems, anticipatory actions, climate risk insurance, sustainable energy initiatives and the restoration of degraded ecosystems.

#                 #                   #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

The WFP Innovation Accelerator was launched in 2015 to identify, support and scale high-impact innovations to end hunger and solve other Sustainable Development Goals.  The WFP Innovation Accelerator has grown to become one of the world's leading social impact startup accelerators, currently running 20 innovation accelerator programmes addressing a wide range of social impact and sustainability issues, including climate change, primary healthcare, gender equality, and emergency response working with WFP’s global country officers, WFP regional innovation hubs and country office innovation teams. Its portfolio of innovations reached 60.7 million individuals across 70 countries and territories in 2023 and raised a total of US $295M of grant funding.

Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media @wfpinnovation