www.securingwaterforfood.org
- Mission Collaboration on the Securing Water for Food
Grand Challenge for Development THE CHALLENGE: In September 2013, USAID and its partners launched
Securing Water for Food: A Grand Challenge for Development. This is
USAID’s fifth Grand Challenge for Development (GCD).
Securing Water for Food
Founding Partners
 USAID
Water scarcity is one of the most pressing development challenges of the
 The Government of
early 21st Century. Approximately 2.8 billion people – more than 40% of
Sweden
the world’s population – live in river basins impacted by water scarcity.
Nearly half live in areas of physical scarcity, where demand is greater than
the available supply; the remaining 1.6 billion face economic water scarcity, where institutional,
financial, and human factors limit access to water despite an available natural supply. Both physical and
economic water scarcity can lead to negative outcomes related to health, agricultural productivity,
environmental degradation and growth of the commercial and industrial sectors. Between 2000 and
2050 water demand is projected to increase by 55% globally, meaning that the number of people
impacted by water scarcity and stress will continue to rise. Most importantly, more than 70% of global
water use occurs in the food value chain.
Through Securing Water for Food, we are seeking innovations that will improve water availability and
efficiency along the food value chain, thus boosting food security, alleviating poverty, and stimulating
inclusive growth. We are focusing on three areas that are critical to reducing water scarcity in the food
value chain:



Water Efficiency and Reuse – especially targeted at the food value chain. This will become a
greater necessity as water availability is threatened by competition between industrial,
agricultural, and energy uses. Improving water efficiency and reuse has tremendous potential
water-saving benefits that may have multiplier effects at various levels of a country’s economy.
Water Capture and Storage. These systems are in high demand in many regions where rain
occurs at limited times. With projected increases in rainfall variability due to climate change and
increased demands for food production, capture and storage systems at various scales are
needed to secure water supplies throughout the year and build resiliency to drought and floods.
Salinity and Salt Water Intrusion. In coastal areas, overpumping and rising sea levels are leading
to saltwater intrusion, forcing farmers to use marginal quality water for irrigation. With more
than 30% of the world’s population living in coastal areas and drawing food supply from fertile
deltas, urgent solutions are required to reduce the impacts of salinity.
THE APPROACH: Securing Water for Food will provide financial and technical assistance to support the
development, marketing, deployment, and commercialization/growth of water innovations.
USAID/Washington currently has over $25 million (USAID and Sida) to support innovative approaches to
water efficiency and reuse, water capture and storage, and salinity. In its first round of funding, Securing
Water for Food will make $15 million available for approximately 30-40 awards for innovations that
focus on one or more of the above areas.
COLLABORATION WITH USAID MISSIONS: Throughout each stage of the program’s design,
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, Securing Water for Food will benefit from close
cooperation with interested USAID Missions. USAID Washington will utilize its core GCD funding to
support top rated proposals submitted through the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) and will
manage these programs. In addition, Missions will be given the opportunity to directly fund and
manage any proposals that are in the technically acceptable range. Missions could also transfer funds to
USAID/Washington for award and management of appropriate proposals. The following are illustrative
opportunities for interested Missions to collaborate with Securing Water for Food.
Opportunities for Mission Collaboration on Securing Water for Food
Request for
Proposals and
Proposal Submission
Nov 2013 – Jan 2014
 Encourage potential applicants to develop and submit Concept
Notes
 Advertise Securing Water for Food opportunities in local media,
social media, etc.
 Facilitate local workshops/information sessions for potential
applicants
Designate representative(s) to:
Proposal Review /
Selection
March – April 2014
Funding
 Participate in proposal review process; or
 Review country/regional-specific proposals that are in competitive
range
 Missions may directly fund any proposal in the competitive range in
their country/region
 Missions could transfer funds to USAID/Washington to fund
projects in their country
June – July 2014
Implementation &
Acceleration
Sept. 2014-2017
Monitoring and
Evaluation
 Missions will manage any proposals they fund directly
 If desired, Missions could manage country specific proposals funded
by USAID/Washington
 Fund local or regional technology incubators or accelerators as part
of the SWFF Acceleration Technical Facility
 Facilitate uptake of SWFF innovations within ongoing or planned
USAID programs
 Facilitate partnerships with private sector partners – especially
distribution partners – in-country
 Monitor progress made of all awardees managed and report
periodically to USAID/Washington
 Participate in the design and implementation of local/regional
qualitative evaluations
Sept. 2014-2017
Contact: Ku McMahan (lmcmahan@usaid.gov)