Join our network of partners and supporters shaping the future of food systems.
Innovating for a hunger-free future
Guided by our strategy “Zero Hunger on a Healthy Planet”, WHH recognizes that an ever-changing world needs innovation and adaptability. In light of the shifting global landscape, characterized by emerging and persistent crises, we see new solutions and approaches as essential elements in transforming systems and maximizing sustainable impact.
Welthungerhilfe is an innovative, daring and learning organization. Our innovation work has been recognized and honored as one of the best in Germany. We are proud to be the first non-profit among the award winners of the “TOP100 Innovation Award”.
Together with our partners – communities, governments, social businesses, scientists, funders, and investors – we actively seek for strategic opportunities to research, ideate, prototype, pilot, and scale promising innovative approaches, products, services and ventures. We can draw on a huge base of supporters and funders, a strong international network of allies, our trusted brand and, above all, over 3,000 employees in 36 countries and our partner network of over 400 NGOs worldwide.
Our Approach
Welthungerhilfe promotes innovation as a core lever to end hunger. Our dedicated global Innovation Unit, with employees around the world, acts as an innovation enabler and network connector and is dedicated to a learning culture that encourages creativity, curiosity, and courage. We use science and research for innovation and create spaces and networks for collaboration and new ideas to emerge and thrive.
We identify promising ideas from staff and partners, promote them through an in-house Innovation Award, and support to turn them into concrete solutions that can be tested, refined, and scaled in our programme countries.
Our approach is collaborative and entrepreneurial. We work closely with country teams to learn from successful pilots and bring them from one context to another - for example from Uganda to Malawi or from India to East Africa - so that proven approaches reach more people, faster.
An increasing number of non-governmental organizations are opening up to private capital markets and private investment. Additionally, WHH relies on the positive effects of a sustainable market economy.
Open Innovation: Challenges and Awards
At Welthungerhilfe we want to create spaces to showcase revolutionary ideas that drive positive change. Through various competitions and challenges, we aim to recognize and support breakthrough innovations. The focus is on their potential for impact and transformation, as well as how they address critical challenges related to our overarching goal of Zero Hunger on a Healthy Planet.
Technology Innovations and Products
We have a diverse portfolio of technological innovations aimed at addressing challenges in food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. Our solutions leverage digital tools, data, and user-centered design to support communities and actors on the ground in improving livelihoods and resilience. Technology alone doesn’t generate change – people do. By harnessing technology in this way, we aim to close critical data gaps, make services more accessible and efficient, and unlock scalable solutions that bring us closer to Zero Hunger on a Healthy Planet.
Business Innovations and our Portfolio
At Welthungerhilfe, business-centered innovation are one key part of implementing our strategy and our mission to achieve Zero Hunger. We develop and support social businesses driven by sustainable practices and economic viability.
Since 2017, WHH has been involved in social businesses in consulting, venture building, and impact investing roles - financially and operationally engaged in several purpose-driven businesses across various African countries. Those businesses offer products and services designed for different target groups tailored to their needs, supporting them to build resilient livelihoods.
