Deadline: 15-Oct-20
The Luc Hoffmann Institute, the African Leadership University’s School of Wildlife Conservation and the WWF Regional Office for Africa are launching a global innovation challenge: Beyond Tourism in Africa.
The challenge aims to discover and incubate new revenue models that do not depend on tourism, but still enable local communities within African countries to derive income from wildlife, manage their natural resources sustainably, and improve their collective well being. Participants have the chance to win a place in the African Leadership University’s incubation programme and access to seed money.
Many communities across Africa rely on tourism to generate income and other benefits from wildlife on their land. However, all forms of tourism, including photographic tourism and trophy hunting, are extremely vulnerable to social, economic or political instability and changes in the international market.
Benefits
- Up to 15 ideas will be selected. Successful applicants will win a place in the African Leadership University’s 8-month incubation programme, culminating in a public pitch to top investors. The programme commences in February 2021 and will run over eight months. It is a part-time, virtual programme.
- During the incubation programme, participants may receive a grant of up to US$10,000 from the organisers as early seed money.
Eligibility Criteria
- Innovators from around the world are welcome to apply, especially people from non-traditional backgrounds and those with strong ties to rural communities in Africa.
- Any individual or team with bold ideas from around the world may apply, but the challenge is especially seeking solutions from within Africa itself, and the challenge will look favorably at applications from within the continent.
- There is no age limit for applicants. However, to be considered for the ALU incubation programme, the team lead must be at least 18 years old and teams may have a maximum of 3 members.
- Submissions must be in English, but strongly encourage both native and non-native English speakers to apply.
- The challenge strongly encourage teams composed of people from different sectors, and particularly from outside the conservation sector.
Selection Criteria
They are calling for submissions from anyone from any sector or background with bold and sustainable ideas for concepts, projects, businesses or products. Ideas must meet the following criteria for consideration:
- Generates value (economic, social and cultural) for local community(ies) in Africa from wildlife or natural resources
- Does not rely on tourism to generate revenue
- Empowers communities with decision-making power and ensures their rights, dignity and livelihoods are a priority
- Demonstrates to be feasible, financially sustainable and potentially scalable
- Aims to improve the conditions for wildlife and natural resources.
- All eligible applications will be evaluated by a panel of experts from the partnering organisations based on these criteria.
For more information, visit https://luchoffmanninstitute.org/beyond-tourism-in-africa-innovation-challenge/