Applications Now Open for Mercy Corps Ventures Anticipatory Action Accelerator

In a world where humanitarian aid often arrives after disaster has already struck, Mercy Corps Ventures (MCV) is stepping up to change the game. Through its Humanitarian Venture Lab, MCV has launched the world’s first Anticipatory Action Accelerator—a pioneering initiative designed to revolutionize aid delivery by leveraging cutting-edge technology to predict and mitigate crises before they occur.

Why Anticipatory Action?

The need for humanitarian assistance is staggering, with nearly 300 million people worldwide requiring aid. In 2023 alone, $223.7 billion was allocated for global relief efforts, yet a shocking 99% of this aid was distributed reactively, only after devastation had already taken its toll. This reactive model fails to leverage the fact that more than half of all humanitarian crises are predictable, and 20% are highly predictable. Studies indicate that anticipatory action—aid delivered before disaster strikes—is up to seven times more cost-effective than traditional relief efforts.

The question, then, is clear: How can we design a humanitarian aid system that anticipates crises rather than merely responding to them?

The Power of Technology in Crisis Prevention

Enter Anticipatory Action (AA)—a forward-thinking approach that harnesses advanced climate analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain technology, and digital payment rails to transform humanitarian assistance. These innovations enable aid organizations to predict disasters, allocate resources proactively, and deliver financial assistance directly to those at risk—before catastrophe unfolds.

Some key benefits of anticipatory action include:

• High ROI: Every dollar invested in anticipatory action yields $7 in benefits and avoided losses. Over two decades, this could rise to $34 per dollar spent.
• Empowered Communities: By providing unconditional cash support, affected individuals can make their own choices about how best to prepare for an impending crisis, preserving dignity and fostering resilience.
• Greater Efficiency and Scale: With a tech-driven approach, anticipatory action programs can be scaled globally to support the 300 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and the 3.6 billion people vulnerable to climate shocks. Blockchain-based systems can reduce transaction costs by 90% and transaction times by over 75%, making aid delivery faster and more cost-effective.

About the Anticipatory Action Accelerator

The Anticipatory Action Accelerator is dedicated to exploring the intersection of climate data analytics, crypto payments, and humanitarian relief. By partnering with startups, NGOs, and other stakeholders, the initiative seeks to implement and scale solutions that help climate-vulnerable communities better prepare for the effects of climate change.

Mercy Corps Ventures is now inviting applications from organizations operating in Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Pacific Islands, and the Western Balkans that are piloting anticipatory action solutions to improve humanitarian aid delivery.

What’s on Offer?

Successful applicants will receive equity-free grants of up to $100,000, subject to achieving pre-agreed milestones. Beyond funding, MCV will provide:

• Mentorship and advisory support
• Impact measurement guidance
• Access to partnerships and networking opportunities
• Knowledge exchange and brand exposure

About Mercy Corps Ventures

As the impact investment arm of Mercy Corps, MCV has been at the forefront of funding innovative, tech-driven solutions to enhance climate resilience and improve livelihoods in emerging markets. Having screened over 1,000 proposals, launched 20+ solutions, and deployed more than $3 million in funding, MCV has already positively impacted over 40,000 lives.

Beyond the Anticipatory Action Accelerator, MCV’s Venture Lab is actively managing initiatives such as AI for Climate Resilience, the Climate Tech Facility, and the Crypto for Good Fund.

Application Details:

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged. The final deadline for applications is February 14, 2025.

Interested in learning more? Join our webinar on Thursday, January 30th, at 9 AM EST / 2 PM CET to gain deeper insights into the Anticipatory Action Accelerator.

Register for the webinar here.

Now is the time to be part of the solution—one that transforms the humanitarian aid landscape and builds a future where crises are anticipated, not just reacted to.

For more information and how to apply, Click Here