📢 Call for innovations | Arilo 2026

REFOOTURE x West Nile Innovation Hub | Regenerative & Inclusive Food Systems

Innovation Challenge:
Regenerative & inclusive food systems in Arilo, Yumbe

Call for Applications — Early-stage innovators, entrepreneurs, students, farmers, and community groups.

🔒 Applications Closed — Deadline: 8th May 2026 at 11:59 PM (East Africa Time)

📌 Background: Why this challenge?

Our current food systems are under increasing strain, threatened by climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, declining soil fertility, and unsustainable, extractive approaches to production and consumption.

The REFOOTURE project is dedicated to transforming food systems in East Africa to be more regenerative and inclusive. The West Nile Innovation Hub, in partnership with REFOOTURE, Muni University, and MUBIC, seeks bold ideas that create win-win-win outcomes for nature, power holders, and communities in Arilo Sub-county, Yumbe District.

🌿 The RIFS principles: Our guiding framework

Sense of Place and Purpose

Tapping into people's connection to place and community, building common sense of purpose and custodianship for future generations.

Socio-ecological Design for Innovation

Thinking with circularity and nature in mind (biomimicry) when innovating new products, services or businesses.

Building Connections

Connecting people to community, place, and nature - building social capital to care for natural capital.

Fair and Just Transition

Ensuring no one is left behind - creating better conditions for everyone and for nature.

Learning by Doing, Design for Renewal

Being open to learning, unlearning behaviors, and adapting based on what we learn from communities and nature.

🌱 Innovation challenge themes

Click on any theme below to view the full challenge, context, and example innovations with business potential.

🌳 1. Deforestation & land degradation

How might we reduce deforestation while strengthening livelihoods through alternative energy, shea conservation, and agroforestry?

🥗 2. Nutrition challenges & dietary diversity

How might we improve dietary diversity through biofortified crops, small-scale livestock, and nutritious local food products?

🌾 3. Access to inputs & extension services

How might we improve access to inputs and advisory services through last-mile distribution and community-based seed businesses?

📦 4. Post-harvest losses & market access

How might we reduce post-harvest losses through storage solutions, processing enterprises, and aggregation platforms?

💧 5. Water stress, climate change & farming systems

How might we support climate-resilient farming through affordable irrigation, water harvesting, and soil health solutions?

🐐 6. Livestock production & resilience

How might we strengthen livestock systems through animal health services, fodder production, and integrated crop-livestock enterprises?

🏆 What selected innovators receive

A total of eight (8) selected innovators will have the opportunity to:

✓ Enter a 4-month tailored incubation program

✓ Receive technical and business mentorship

✓ Receive proof-of-concept funding

✓ Networking opportunities with ecosystem actors and investors

✓ Participate in co-creation workshops and bootcamps

✓ Pitch ideas to experts and investors with seed grant opportunities

📅 Key dates & timeline

📝 Application Deadline
8th May 2026

📧 Shortlist Notification
By 13th May 2026

🚀 Pre-incubation Bootcamp
18th to 22nd May 2026

🌱 Incubation Program
June - August 2026

🎤 Investor Pitch Day
End of August 2026

📋 Application form

🔒 Applications are now closed.
The deadline for submissions was 8th May 2026 at 11:59 PM (East Africa Time) (East Africa Time).
Thank you to everyone who applied. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by 13th May 2026.

🔒 Applications for the 2026 cohort are now closed.

The deadline was 8th May 2026 at 11:59 PM (East Africa Time).

Thank you for your interest. Please check back for future opportunities.

Innovation Challenge: Regenerative & inclusive food systems in Arilo, Yumbe