The Future of Conservation NGOs aimed to reimagine and redesign the future of conservation work and test alternative models better equipped to help build a more inclusive, just and regenerative future. This project sought to drive innovation and support solutions that proactively address the deep-rooted issues facing conservation NGOs.
In the final phase of the project, alongside Impact Hub and IUCN CEESP, we led an incubation and co-learning programme for the nine global winners of the Future of Conservation NGOs innovation challenge. These nine winning initiatives, eight of which are women-led organisations, represent innovations on five continents. They challenge dominant conservation narratives, redesign conservation approaches and reimagine the conservation space to create a more just, equitable and regenerative future.
In the second six months of the incubation programme, we focused on working with four of the winning ideas that showed the most potential or could benefit most from the support of Unearthodox and our partners. In this phase we provided more tailored support, including training in non-violent communication methods, expert guidance in fundraising options to scale specific ideas and support to develop brand positioning. Also in this phase of the initiative, we focused on fostering a sense of collective responsibility for challenging the conservation status quo amongst leaders, innovators and practitioners alike.
During the course of 2023, we presented the Future of Conservation NGOs project to WWF International, Conservation International and students from the MPhil in Conservation Leadership programme at the University of Cambridge. In showcasing the work of four out of nine winners of the innovation challenge, our goal was threefold: to share insights from Unearthodox’s unique systems thinking approach using this project as an example; to raise awareness about root causes impacting the conservation sector; and to inspire action.
Towards the end of 2023, the Future of Conservation NGOs project hosted two conversations during the Unearthodox Learning Festival. We also published the Future of Conservation NGOs resource library as part of the overarching Future of Conservation resource library.
