Deadline Date: April 30, 2026
The Water and Energy for Food 2.0 MENA Programme offers to support small and medium enterprises in scaling sustainable solutions that enhance food, water, and energy security across the region.
Focus Areas, climate resilience in food and water systems, sustainable and efficient use of water and energy, increased food production processing and market access, innovative technologies and business models, livelihood improvement for base of the pyramid populations, inclusion of women and vulnerable groups, job creation and employment opportunities, circular economy practices, reduction of food loss and waste, greenhouse gas emission reduction, renewable energy integration, carbon sequestration, regional and international trade expansion, climate-smart technologies, sustainable resource management, biodiversity and land restoration, innovations in food production to reduce water usage, efficient water resource management, sustainable farm-level energy and water use, energy innovations in food processing and logistics, efficient energy use in food production, agricultural waste to energy solutions, land restoration and prevention of farmland loss, efficient logistics and market access innovations, circularity and waste reduction innovations, organic farming, wastewater treatment and reuse, desalination, user-centered innovation, financial sustainability, gender-inclusive innovation.
The programme is designed to strengthen climate resilience and improve the security of food and water systems in the MENA region by accelerating the growth of commercially viable SMEs. It provides tailored technical assistance and investment facilitation to help enterprises scale their impact while contributing to poverty reduction, gender inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
Participating enterprises benefit from inclusion in the innovator cohort, where they receive guidance from regional experts in water, energy, and food systems. The programme supports business growth by offering connections to investors and financing opportunities, enabling enterprises to expand sustainably and increase their regional impact.
A key component of the initiative is its emphasis on innovation across the water-energy-food nexus. The programme supports solutions that improve efficiency in resource use, promote sustainable production practices, and introduce new technologies and business models that transform value chains and enhance resilience.
The programme also prioritizes social and economic outcomes by focusing on improving livelihoods and income for vulnerable populations, including women, youth, and displaced communities. It encourages enterprises to create employment opportunities and integrate inclusive practices into their operations.
Financial support under the programme includes cash grants averaging USD 100,000, subject to the availability of funds. In addition to financial assistance, selected enterprises receive multiple rounds of technical support and non-financial services such as market access and investor connections throughout the grant cycle.
Eligibility is focused on established SMEs and organizations that demonstrate financial viability, including a proven revenue model and operational sustainability. Applicants must have a minimum annual revenue of USD 300,000 and maintain financial performance standards, while also showing strong alignment with climate resilience and water-energy-food nexus challenges.
The programme targets enterprises that are embedded within national value chains and capable of delivering measurable impact through job creation, improved resource efficiency, and sustainable business practices, ensuring both immediate and long-term benefits for the region.
For more information, visit WE4F.
