IGNITE Food Systems Challenge Somalia        

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Somalia Response Innovation Lab (SomRIL) with the support of USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs (BHA) and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are looking for solutions in Somalia that address food insecurity through strengthening food systems.

The IGNITE Food Systems Challenge grants funding and technical support to local entrepreneurs addressing challenges in food systems and climate resilience, specifically priorities of the United Nations and relief and resilience partners in the country. These solutions should have the potential to scale WFP, UN, and INGO programmatic impact or increase efficiency.

The challenge was conceptualized through a co-creation workshop in September 2023 with different stakeholders. Following this workshop, another convenor was organized in March 2024 inviting stakeholders addressing challenges in community engagement to ensure aid reaches the intended audience. The two workshops identified the following problem statements:

What the Program Offers

Application pitch preparation: 3 day pitching bootcamp to prepare shortlisted applicants for final pitching.

Fund: Selection of high potential innovators who receive grants of up to $40,000 each to test their innovation in the field.

Accelerate: 3 month acceleration program supporting funded innovators to grow their solution by connecting them with potential funders, partners and Country Offices who can support implementation. Working with innovators to capture learnings and impact and sharing knowledge. Building and nurturing a community of innovators, alumni and support networks.

Who We Are Looking For

Problem 1: How might we foster sustainable food systems across Somalia by implementing innovative solutions that protect pastureland and enhance the entire value chain for smallholder producers. By addressing environmental, resource, and market access challenges, we can stimulate localized food systems and reduce households' dependence on humanitarian assistance and promote long-term resilience. To foster sustainable food systems across Somalia, we aim to implement innovative solutions that protect pastureland and enhance the entire value chain for smallholder producers. By addressing environmental, resource, and market access challenges, we strive to reduce households' dependence on humanitarian assistance and promote long-term resilience.

While all solution providers are invited to apply, priority will be given to:

• Solutions addressing rangeland protection, reforestation and grazing management for more productive and resilient fodder access.
• Innovations enabling access to required inputs for production or access to market through linkages between producers and retailers.
• Solutions improving harvesting, storage and use of water resources.
• Innovations that prevent food wastage by providing affordable storage and processing solutions for fresh produce including milk, meat, fruit, vegetables & fish including cold storage provided as a service.
• Innovations providing nutritious and fortified foods or promoting livelihood diversification.
• Innovations / solutions for engaging communities for real time engagement and feedback.

Problem 2: How might we increase efficiency and effectiveness of aid programs supporting IDPs and other groups most vulnerable to climate change and related emergencies in Somalia by increasing the transparency of resource allocations and distribution processes. We aim to implement innovative solutions that increase access to information related to donor-funded programming by affected populations, government, local communities, media, civil society and other relevant stakeholders. Through these solutions, we aim to empower communities to positively engage with aid programs and encourage transparent decision making at all levels of program implementation.

All solution providers are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility

• Possess a valid registration/certificate of incorporation for operating in Somalia and at least 1 year of operation
• Possess a valid tax compliance/ registration certificate
• Have proof of a revenue-generating business (total turnover in the case of cooperatives) of at least the equivalent of USD 5,000 for the full year of 2023
• Be a team of at least three full-time members dedicated to the MSME/cooperative, including the founding team
• At least 50% of the founding and/or senior management team must be from Somalia