SCALING WATER-ENERGY-FOOD INNOVATIONS IN IRAQ
The private sector is at the forefront of solving Iraq’s challenges by introducing innovation and new technologies. Yet, it needs additional resources to continue and accelerate its growth. Through the generous support of USAID, the Middle East and North Africa Regional Innovation Hub (MENA RIH) is helping Iraq-based companies and organisations, called innovators, to produce more food while using less water and cleaner energy. Together with investors and partners, the MENA RIH works to scale mid-to-later stage enterprises that have an environmental and social impact on the water-energy-food nexus.
FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT & INVESTMENT MATCHING
Through WE4F, innovators from Iraq can now access the financial and technical support, as well as investment matching, to improve the sustainability and productivity of food production and farming across the country. Supported projects must fulfill strict environmental, social, and governance criteria, have positive effects on the environment, strive for gender equality and inclusion, and ensure secure access to food for all.
IRAQ CALL FOR INNOVATIONS GOALS
Together with Iraq-based innovators, investors and partners, WE4F aims to:
- Increase food production and decrease the reliance on import and harmful practices along the value chain of
the Iraqi agricultural sector through a more sustainable and efficient usage of water and/or energy. - Increase income for poor women and men in both rural and urban areas all over the country who are
consumers or work in farming. - Sustainably scale innovators’ solutions to meet the challenges in the WE4F nexus.
- Promote climate and environmental resilience and biodiversity through the sustainable, holistic management
of Iraq’s natural resources and ecosystems.
WHO WE ARE
Through the Iraq Track of MENA RIH-WE4F, USAID supports Iraqi innovators working in the water-food-energy nexus to get a double chance for accessing finance and technical support to scale-up their businesses, create job opportunities, and modernise the food industry. The MENA RIH is a consortium of regionally rooted organisations, with long histories of working with each other and countless partners towards a more sustainable Middle East and North Africa. The consortium is led by Berytech, in collaboration with cewas, Chemonics Egypt and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
Find more about the call here.
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