An open call for innovators, disruptors & change-makers

Eligibility and Evaluation Criteria Information for Applicants

A. Eligibility

For your entry to be considered, the following statements must be true:

1. You are over 18 years of age.
2. The application is in English.
   • We welcome submissions that have been translated from another language using an online tool. Entries will not be penalised for errors in grammar or vocabulary.
3. The entry clearly responds to the topic of regeneration and the five evaluation criteria.
4. The entry is submitted using the online portal.
5. Your idea is already in motion. This means you’ve taken some first steps, such as early testing or implementation. We also welcome existing projects that are entering a new phase of change, e.g. projects that are pivoting their approach, reimagining their model, or deepening their impact. We are not looking for ideas starting entirely from scratch or for projects seeking only to expand as they are.
6. You are not currently employed or contracted by Unearthodox.
7. If successful, by accepting the grant you would not be breaching any law, contract, or third‑party obligation.
8. You are not in a country where international sanctions restrict us from sending funds. See the FAQ section for more information.

B. How we will evaluate applications

The Regenerative Futures Sparks of Regeneration open call seeks ideas and innovations that align with the five evaluation criteria. Our aim is to identify solutions that can make an impact, adapt and evolve within the broader field of regeneration. 

These criteria are based upon the principles and tensions unearthed during the programme's reframing phase. We see these tensions not as problems to be solved but as important realities to recognise, hold space for and reflect upon. The reflection prompts are there to help you think deeply about your idea and how it navigates and respects these dynamics.

1. Regenerative Vision — 25% 

Weaving relationships between people, place, planet and time

Reflection prompts:

• How does your work help people and the living systems they are part of thrive together, serving and supporting all life on Earth?
• How does your idea recognise and navigate the interconnections between different systems - social, ecological, and economic - in ways that strengthen them while reducing harm? 
• How does your project respond to urgent needs whilst still focusing on long-term change?

Key tensions:

• Urgency and Deep Time
• Individual Action and Systemic Change

2. Community-Rooted Practice — 25% 

Grounding in lived experiences and place-based knowledge 

Reflection prompts:

• Who are the people, communities, ancestors, or living systems your work is accountable to?
• How is your work grounded in the knowledge, relationships, and needs of the communities and places it serves?
• How do you respect, represent, learn from, and give back to the places and people involved?
• How does your solution connect local communities and efforts with global collaborations whilst protecting local knowledge?

Key Tensions:

• Community Localism and Global Networks
• Extractive Knowledge and Co-Creation

3. Innovation and Imagination — 20%

Imagining beyond systems of harm and challenging dominant paradigms 

Reflection prompts:

• What makes your work different from existing approaches?
• How does your idea encourage people to see, act, connect or live in new ways?
• If your work uses technology, how does it build and deepen relationships with people, nature and places instead of replacing them? Is it guided by care and efficiency?

Key Tensions:

• Radical Change and Co-Option
• Technological Solutions and Relational Approaches

4. Equity and Inclusion — 20%

Centering justice, and equity - for communities and all living systems

Reflection prompts:

• Who (and what) is leading and shaping this work?
• How does your work address power imbalances or help rebalance unfair systems?
• How do you navigate existing institutional constraints while challenging practices rooted in colonial or top-down control?
• How do you ensure your work does not repeat patterns of exclusion or exploitation of people or the living systems around them?

Key Tensions:

• Decolonisation and Institutional Constraints

5. Capacity and Adaptability — 10% 

Exploring readiness to engage in an 8-month collective learning process

Reflection prompts:

• How is your work organised so it can keep moving forward, while still having space to adapt and grow?
• What support or connections would help your work grow?
• How do you demonstrate openness to feedback, reflection, and collaboration?

Key Tensions:

• Emergence and Structure