Deadline Date: June 18, 2026
The Global AgriInno Challenge is seeking applications to support youth and women-led innovation by promoting digital solutions and business models that strengthen resilient agrifood systems.
The focus areas, of the challenge include accelerating youth-led innovation, supporting digital solutions for blue and green agrifood systems, and strengthening resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The challenge focuses on four major pillars: Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, and Better Life. It also prioritises addressing climate pressures, food-import dependency, fragmented supply chains, malnutrition, biodiversity loss, ecosystem protection, inclusive rural development, economic opportunity, and youth employment.
The challenge encourages innovators to develop or scale technology-based solutions that are grounded in the realities of island communities and capable of creating positive impact at the local level. Solutions are expected to respond to environmental and economic challenges while improving resilience in agrifood systems.
Applications are evaluated by a panel of agrifood specialists, innovation practitioners, and impact investors based on innovation, relevance, and potential impact. The programme seeks solutions that demonstrate practical implementation and readiness beyond the minimum viable product stage.
The opportunity is open to agripreneurs and innovation teams from around the world. Eligible applicants must be registered legal entities with less than five years of operations and annual turnover below $1,000,000. Teams must also have a technology-based solution or business model at Technology Readiness Level 7 to 9.
The challenge strongly encourages participation from teams with female agripreneurs and gives preference to applicants originating from or led by individuals from Small Island Developing States. However, teams from outside these regions are also eligible if their solutions directly address agrifood challenges relevant to SIDS.
Selected teams are expected to participate throughout the programme, including workshops, the Global Final Pitch event in Hangzhou in August 2026, and a potential showcase opportunity at the FAO Science and Innovation Forum in Rome in October 2026.
For more information, visit FAO.
