Year in Review 2023
Elevating Innovation Amidst the Global Food Crisis in 2023
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Our Work in 2023
In 2023, amidst stretched donor resources and multiple humanitarian crises, WFP recognized the indispensable role of innovation and technology in making emergency response more efficient and effective while also ending hunger globally.
14
WFP Innovation Accelerator Programmes
74
Innovations Funded and Supported
60.7 M
People Reached Globally
Where We Work
The WFP Innovation Accelerator was launched by WFP in 2015 to support and scale high-impact innovations to disrupt hunger and achieve the interconnected SDGs. We provide startups with access to funding, mentorship and hands-on assistance, leveraging unprecedented advances in innovation, such as mobile technology, AI, blockchain and innovative finance. We connect solutions with WFP’s global network in over 120 countries and territories globally and share our knowledge and lessons learned with the wider community to transform the way we collectively serve vulnerable communities across the world.
60.7 Million People Reached

Helped people from food insecure communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from climate shocks and stress, totalling

1.3 + million individuals

Ensured efficient and effective distribution of food through Supply Chain and Logistics innovations, benefiting

2.9 + million people

Promoted gender equality and empowerment of women and girls to provide a route to economic development and resilience, reaching a total of

15.4 + million people

Figure

Health and nutrition packages, through innovative school-based programs, were accessed by

4.7 + million people

Smallholder farmers and value chain actors were empowered, benefiting

5.3 + million people

Improved the design and delivery of cash and value vouchers, enhancing access to financial services for

23.9 + million people

Figure

Transformational nutrition solutions were delivered at scale, reaching a total of

15.9 + million people

Figure

WFP’s emergency preparedness and response operations were elevated, reaching a total of

257,136 people

Innovations
In 2023, we funded and supported 74 innovations. 39% were led by women, reflecting our dedication to gender equality and empowerment and 44% showcase local innovation, underscoring our support for grassroots initiatives and community-driven solutions.
46
from the Zero Hunger portfolio
28
ventures from the SDGx portfolio
Lessons Learned
The journey of innovation is marked by its trials: the pivots, the failures, and the inevitable changes that challenge our strategies and assumptions. Yet, it is precisely these experiences that lay the foundation for growth, inspire innovative thinking, and catalyse further advancements. In this Year in Review 2023, we share 24 lessons learned across our activities and innovations that can be useful for any public or private sector innovation team and humanitarian and development organizations. Design. Fail. Iterate. Repeat. Scale
Harnessing local potential
Lessons Learned
Harnessing local potential
Humanitarian innovation thrives on community engagement and local knowledge. In this section, we share our eight lessons learned on the role of community feedback, collaboration with local governments, leveraging agile strategies and field-testing technologies in their intended settings.
Navigating new frontiers
Lessons Learned
Navigating new frontiers
We drive social impact by actively exploring new approaches in humanitarian innovation. This section breaks down seven lessons learned from our work adopting innovative finance mechanisms, exploring frontier technologies and employing different scaling strategies to achieve lasting impact.
Laying the groundwork
Lessons Learned
Laying the groundwork
Building a fertile ground for innovation means nurturing a supportive ecosystem of processes, people and partnerships. In this section, we share nine lessons learned on the value of backend processes, knowledge sharing and strategic collaborations that lay the groundwork for innovations to thrive.
Our Innovation Stories
Who are the people behind the numbers?
Here’s a look at some of the innovation stories from 2023.
Hannah Karanja stands in her maize farm holding a wooden tool
In the Spotlight
Meet the two WFP-backed Earthshot prize winners
Discover the innovative solutions of two WFP-backed Earthshot Prize winners, pioneering efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity worldwide.
KIAB
School Feeding
From shipping containers to cooking spaces: Transforming school meals in El Salvador
Explore how shipping containers are transformed into cooking spaces, revolutionizing school meal programs in El Salvador and ensuring children receive nutritious meals.
skai
Frontiers
Revolutionizing Disaster Response with SKAI
Learn about SKAI, the groundbreaking tool revolutionizing disaster response by leveraging satellite imagery and artificial intelligence for faster and more effective aid delivery.
Haiti. 2022. Cooks using the Heat Retention Bag (HRB) in the School Argentine in Port au Prince. HRBs are locally produced using upcycled local plastic waste, they support schools’ transition to cleaner energy sources and reduce their energy needs. © WFP/Luc Junior
WFP Innovation
8 inspiring innovation facts at WFP
Uncover eight inspiring innovation facts at WFP, showcasing the organization's commitment to cutting-edge solutions in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
Global Innovation Network Annual Workshop, September 2023. Photo: WFP.
WFP Innovation Network
WFP Innovation Network: A Year in Review
Here’s how WFP’s innovation teams are driving impact from the ground up.
Thank you to our key partners and collaborators
With your support, we can #disrupthunger globally and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
Federal Foreign Office
Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry
Adaptation Fund
Austrian Development Agency
John Deere
Google.org
USAID
GIZ
Ministere de L'Europe et des Affaires Etrangeres
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Luxembourg Aid & Development
Innovation Norway
BASF Stiftung
Citi
Czech Republic Humanitarian Aid
Netlight
B/S/H/
CGIAR
Government of the Netherlands
Acatech
BCG
Cargill
CERN
DLR
The Earthshot Prize
esa
European Union
FAO
Foodtech Valley
Google Accelerator
Creating Hope in Conflict: A Humanitarian Grand Challenge
IFAD
Salesforce
UNIN
Ministry of Climate Change & Environment
World Economic Forum
XPrize
UNFPA
WHO
UNHRD
2023 Year in Review