The Water and Energy for Food (WE4F) 2.0 MENA Regional Innovation Hub has officially launched its Call for Innovations. This initiative targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and scale-ups that provide tech-enabled solutions to increase food production while using less water and more sustainable energy.
At a Glance
- Opportunity Type: Accelerator Program / Catalytic Funding
- For: SMEs and High-Growth Scale-ups in the Water-Energy-Food nexus
- Key Benefits: Catalytic grants, technical assistance, and investment brokerage
- Location: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia
Call for Innovations Overview
WE4F 2.0 MENA is a regional initiative designed to scale private-sector solutions that address the critical interconnected challenges of water scarcity, energy security, and food instability. The program aims to support a portfolio of at least 120 enterprises across the region. By providing a mix of financial support and specialized advisory, WE4F helps climate-smart innovators grow their customer base and environmental impact.
The current call features two primary tracks:
- Track 1 (SMEs): Focused on established enterprises looking to enhance efficiency within their existing value chains.
- Track 2 (Scale-Ups): Designed for high-growth companies ready for rapid regional expansion and large-scale investment.
Key Benefits
- Catalytic Funding: Direct financial support to help innovators scale their operations and impact.
- Tailored Technical Assistance: Custom advisory services ranging from business modeling to environmental impact specialized coaching.
- Investment Readiness: Support in financial modeling, valuation, and structured engagement with debt and equity investors.
- Regional Scaling Support: Assistance in navigating new markets across the nine eligible MENA countries.
Eligibility Criteria
- Sector: Must operate within the Water-Energy-Food nexus (e.g., solar-powered irrigation, water-efficient hydroponics, tech-enabled cold chain logistics).
- Entity Type: For-profit SMEs or scale-ups.
- Geography: Must have a legal presence or significant operations in one of the nine target MENA countries.
- Impact: Solutions must demonstrate potential for significant water savings, energy efficiency, or increased food security.
How to Apply
Interested innovators are encouraged to attend the upcoming information session before submitting their formal application.
- Information Session: April 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM CET (4:00 PM Riyadh time).
- Info Session Registration: Register on Zoom
- Direct Application: Submit your proposal via the official portal at www.we4f.org/mena.
About WE4F 2.0 MENA
WE4F 2.0 MENA is a multi-donor grand challenge funded by the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. The regional hub is led by Berytech (Lebanon), in partnership with Cewas (Middle East) and Chemonics Egypt Consultants. Together, these organizations provide the local expertise and global network necessary to foster sustainable, climate-resilient growth in the Middle East and North Africa.
Learn More: WE4F MENA
