Call for Innovative Solutions to support Energy for Food Security Programme (Niger)

This initiative aims to identify and scale cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions for cooking and agricultural practices across crisis-affected and stable regions of Niger.

They invite global and regional innovators, entrepreneurs and organizations to contribute impactful and fit-for-purpose solutions that can enhance energy access in vulnerable areas, fostering improved livelihoods and resilience. The WFP Innovation Accelerator and WFP Niger will provide comprehensive support to selected teams, facilitating the development and scaling of promising solutions. The focus is on nurturing innovations that are not only novel but also sustainable and scalable, capable of bringing long-term change within challenging environments.

What they Offer?

Each selected team:

• will have the opportunity to take part in the WFP sprint programme, a six-month acceleration programme combined with piloting, business training and mentoring;
• will receive up to US$250,000 conditional funding towards project implementation. The specific amount will be determined based on the maturity stage of the solution and the three thematic areas.
• will receive ongoing operational support from WFP Niger during piloting;
• may qualify for further support and fundraising opportunities in the future.

What they Are Looking For?

For this innovation challenge, WFP Niger is looking for both low- and high-tech solutions specifically tailored to strengthen local food systems through the provision of clean cooking and productive uses of energy. They aim to identify and support innovations from around the world that can effectively address these challenges and are operational or able to be implemented in Niger.

• Energizing homes in displacement settings
  • WFP is assisting 250 households in the Dan Dadji Makaou site, Maradi region, by providing access to solar induction cooking and lighting for both internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in protracted displacement settings. Households need to charge their lights and lamps during the daytime on a daily basis and use the battery as an alternative power supply option. They are looking for:
    • Clean cooking solutions for households in rural areas capable of powering electricity for cooking three meals a day for an average household size of seven members; and
    • Household lighting systems that provide light inside the house and in surrounding areas during dark hours. These systems should operate autonomously for approximately 12 hours and sustain for 2-3 days.
• Energizing school meals
  • WFP collaborates with 30 primary schools in Kantché, Yaouri, Dogo and Gaffati municipalities, Zinder region, and five schools in Tabalak and Abalak municipalities, Tahoua region. To facilitate clean cooking in schools, they are looking for:
    • modern and efficient institutional cookstoves that significantly reduce cooking time and improve air pollution within schools; and
    • energy systems capable of powering electricity for schools to prepare two meals daily, including breakfast and lunch.
• Energizing farmer organizations
  • WFP’s programme works with six producer organizations in the municipalities of Kantché, Yaouri, Dogo and Gaffati, region of Zinder. To enhance the grain processing capacity and efficiency for these farmer organizations, they are looking for:
  • solar-powered grain processing and preservation solutions that increase the production of primary processed products, including millet flour, millet couscous, cowpea flour and peanut oil; and
  • agro-processing solutions with highly scalable delivery models that provide affordable services to farmers and incentivize the shift from diesel to solar-powered equipment.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications will be scored according to a standard set of criteria set by the WFP Innovation Accelerator. Criteria include:

• Your organization must be an established legal entity (for-profit, not-for-profit, social business, NGO, INGO).
• Your organization should have an existing operational presence or willingness to establish a presence in Niger, through a subsidiary, in-country office, distributors or partnerships in the country.
• Your innovation must address one or more of the priority innovation areas listed.
• Your innovation must be at least at the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage.
• Proof-of-concept and initial traction are preferred.
• Your innovation should have a plan to implement in Niger within a six-month timeframe with the available funding and a clear pathway to scale.

For more information, visit United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).