Google.org grants $2.8m to World Food Program USA in support of joint accelerator with United Nations World Food Programme's Innovation Accelerator

The World Food Program USA has received a $2.8 million grant from Google.org, marking a significant milestone in the fight against global hunger. This grant supports the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator, a cutting-edge initiative aimed at leveraging innovation and technology to tackle food insecurity worldwide.

Barron Segar, President and CEO, World Food Program USA: "We consider the private sector, particularly Google.org, to be best-in-class innovators and visionaries and we rely on their expertise to help us create systemic innovations that will transform our efforts to eradicate global hunger. We are very appreciative of Google.org's support."

Stuart McLaughlin, Director, Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships, Google.org: "Galvanizing Impact Innovation for Zero Hunger", which highlighted Google.org's commitment to empowering communities and advancing innovative solutions to global challenges. By harnessing the power of innovation and technology, together, we aspire to drive meaningful change and address global food insecurity. This grant exemplifies our commitment to creating a sustainable and hunger-free future for all."

The WFP Innovation Accelerator focuses on integrating advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, blockchain and new business models to improve humanitarian response and address the root causes of hunger. The grant will fund an acceleration program aimed at developing and scaling ten ventures created and developed within WFP. These solutions, anchored in technological innovation, aim to improve emergency response, supply chain efficiency, and support for smallholder farmers in many of the world's most vulnerable communities, including Yemen, Afghanistan, Somalia and Haiti. The program includes a comprehensive package of cutting-edge business support, scaling strategies and grant funding. 

Bernhard Kowatsch, Head, WFP Innovation Accelerator: "This partnership amplifies our capacity to leverage cutting-edge technology with WFP's global operational capacity. Google stepping up the support in times of a global food crisis is critical to scale game-changing solutions to create more impact for some of the most vulnerable people across the world."

This significant investment by Google.org is part of its ongoing commitment to creating sustainable and impactful solutions in global communities. It also marks a key moment of collaboration between the technology sector and humanitarian organizations.

www.innovation.wfp.org