Deadline: 21-Jul-23
The EU Neighbours South has launched the #EyesOnEarth contest as part of its 2023 environment-focused campaign to highlight the importance of environmental preservation and promote sustainable business models in the Southern Neighbourhood.
#EyesOnEarth gives voice to change-makers and innovators and supports them to showcase sustainable business models and social innovation tackling forest-related problems and threats to the biodiversity and the environment in the Mediterranean.
Targeted Sectors
- In particular, the targeted sectors are as follows:
- Biodiversity conservation: actions addressed to protect and preserve the variety of plant and animal species, as well as their habitats, within forest ecosystems.
- Forest Regeneration: actions aiming to establish new green areas or restore a previously forested area after it has been disturbed or depleted.
- Forest-based bio-economy: economic and social activities that utilise forest resources and biomass as the basis for the production of renewable materials, energy, and other bio-based products.
- Circular Economy business strategies: products or services addressing prevention or alternative measures to land-based pollution sources affecting forests, having as key features eco-design and eco-innovation.
Prize Details
- Two prizes for each main category (Business Models CSOs) will be awarded:
- 1st prize: A cash prize of 1500 euros provided by DG NEAR and 2.000 euros voucher to spend on services or training for the business.
- 2nd Prize: A cash prize of 1,000 euros provided by DG NEAR and 1.500 euros voucher to spend on services or training for the business.
What are they looking for?
- The #EyesOnEarth is looking for solution-oriented approaches and entrepreneurs and civil society initiatives that are passionate about making a positive impact in the region. This contest is the perfect platform for showcasing your entrepreneurial eco-innovation or civil society initiative.
Eligibility Criteria
- This year’s contest is open to:
- Early and growth-stage sustainable businesses working in the forest-based circular bioeconomy.
- Local Civil Society Organisations and Community Based Organisations addressing environmental and social challenges in the domains of forest conservation and sustainable management.
- Business/Organisations to be established in any of the eligible countries of the contest. These countries are Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia.
- Here are the criteria to participate:
- Sustainable Business Models:
- To be a business set up at least 2 years ago before the deadline of this call for applications.
- To be a registered business.
- To have a sustainable business model, based on the interdependency between society, environment and economy.
- Civil Society Organisations or Community-Based Organisations:
- To be a Civil Society Organizations.
- To be legally registered as non-profit-making.
- To be registered at least 2 years before the deadline of this call for applications.
- Sustainable Business Models:
For more information, visit EU Neighbours South.
