Innovation Challenge: The future of conservation NGOs

Deadline: 22-May-22

The Luc Hoffmann Institute, the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) and Impact Hub have launched a global challenge to drive innovation and support solutions that proactively address the deep-rooted issues facing conservation non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and help build a just, inclusive and regenerative future.

Benefits

Participants have the chance to win:

€5,000 per winning entry
A place in a tailored incubation and co-learning program
Access to a community of conservation practitioners, fellow change-makers and potential investors.

Themes

Four Keys themes for change

Power and Legacy: There is a need to address and dismantle racist and discriminatory structures, rebalance the power, move away from neo-colonial conservation approaches and address the consequent disparities in the distribution of financial aid and resources.
Interdependence and Inclusivity: The conservation sector must embrace a more inclusive approach to external collaborations and engage with a diverse range of conservation players.
Communication and Narratives: Conservation’s dominant Global North narratives need to be questioned, challenged, and reframed.
Operational and Funding models: The conservation sector is constrained by a traditional linear approach to solving problems and a short-term project-based approach.

What they are looking for?

They are seeking problem-solvers using innovative methodologies to address deep-rooted issues and bring together solutions for a just, inclusive and regenerative future.

Eligibility Criteria

Who: Any individual or team from around the world may apply. If applying as a team, they ask that you name three key team members in the application form and nominate a lead representative, who will be the first point of contact and the primary participant in the incubation program for winning ideas. Participation by up to two other team members in incubation activities is also possible, but the team lead should be consistently present throughout. If your team is larger than three people they ask that you take responsibility for sharing learnings and ideas developed through the co-learning and incubation process back to the wider team.
Sector: They strongly encourage teams composed of people from different sectors. Applicants do not need a history of working on conservation-related projects or ideas or within NGOs.
Age: Individual entrants must be aged over 18 and teams must comprise at least one entrant who is aged over 18.
Language: They are currently accepting applications in English only, but they strongly encourage both native and non-native English speakers to apply. No judgments will be made on language proficiency. The incubation and co-learning program offered to winners will be conducted in English.
They acknowledge that there is a need to embrace linguistic diversity, however, at this stage of the initiative , they are unable to do so in a way that is truly inclusive.