Shocks and stresses such as drought, heatwaves, storms and floods are increasingly putting lives and livelihoods at risk, affecting the functioning of global food systems at all levels - from production to consumption and eroding development.
To address these growing crises, the World Food Programme (WFP), in partnership with the Adaptation Fund, launched the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) programme.
This programme is run by the WFP Innovation Accelerator and consists of four cohorts running from 2024 to 2029. Each year, the programme focuses on a different region, identifying, supporting and scaling locally rooted solutions that enhance climate adaptation and resilience, particularly in communities impacted by extreme weather events. In 2025, this new call for applications is focused on Asia, specifically innovations for Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines. The programme calls on innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to bring forward groundbreaking solutions to drive resilience, enhance climate adaptability, and promote sustainable development in affected communities. By strengthening local capacities and fostering partnerships, the programme strives to enhance climate resilience and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2: ‘Zero Hunger’ and SDG 13: ‘Climate Action’.
Please note that the initial application call for proposals for the 2025 cohort concluded in September 2025. Prospective candidates should review the AFCIA programme website for future updates regarding the 2026 call for proposals.
Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Your organization must be a legally registered entity (for-profit, non-profit, social business, NGO, or INGO).
- Your organization should have a presence or willingness to build a presence in one of the three targeted countries of this cohort - Nepal, Pakistan, or The Philippines. It could be an in-country office, subsidiary, pilot or formal partnerships.
- Your innovation addresses at least one of the priority areas in climate adaptation outlined in the Call for Applications.
- Your innovation must be at seed stage or beyond. Idea and pre-seed solutions are not eligible.
- Your proposal must present a clear pathway to scale, with adequate resources and a realistic 9-month implementation plan for the Sprint Programme.
- Your proposal should demonstrate willingness to collaborate with humanitarian actors and innovation ecosystems.
- Your innovation must align with WFP’s Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework. Any potential interventions classified as Category A, which indicate a high risk of irreversible negative impacts, are not eligible. Please refer to WFP's
Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (page 8) for more information on the risk categories.