Wilderness Trust Impact Challenge

This global call to action invites innovators, researchers, and community leaders to propose bold solutions, offering them the opportunity to turn their conservation visions into reality. Following a comprehensive review process, a panel of judges will evaluate the submissions and award USD100,000 to the most impactful project, providing the winning entrant or team with the resources needed to bring their idea to life.

 

Potential areas for exploration include community-led conservation initiatives, innovative wildlife management practices, technological advancements for monitoring and protection, and education-driven programmes that foster peaceful coexistence. By addressing both human and wildlife needs, we aim to develop long-lasting solutions that safeguard Africa's natural heritage for generations to come.

 

The 2025 Protect Edition – Identifying the Problem

Africa’s biodiversity is increasingly at risk as expanding human populations encroach on once-remote habitats, escalating conflicts between communities and wildlife. Iconic species like elephants and lions face growing threats, while farmers endure crop losses and livestock predation, deepening poverty and food insecurity. Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions that safeguard both people from wildlife and wildlife from people.

The challenge seeks to foster human-wildlife coexistence and strengthen wildlife security. Guided by Wilderness' three pillars – Educate, Empower, and Protect – this initiative tackles critical conservation issues at their roots.

For 2025’s ‘Protect’ Edition, we are seeking solutions to safeguard wildlife and support communities in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda. This challenge addresses the growing conflict between expanding human populations and wildlife, aiming to foster human-wildlife coexistence and strengthen wildlife security. Guided by Wilderness' pillars of Educate, Empower, and Protect, it tackles critical conservation issues at their core.

Entry Mechanics & Competition Guidelines

• To qualify, all applicants must complete every question in the application form and use the word count allocation as a guide for the amount of required detail.
• While you may upload additional materials such as pitch decks, video files, or other supporting documents in the designated section at the end of the form, please note that entries will primarily be assessed based on the responses to the application questions.
• We encourage you to answer each question thoroughly and thoughtfully.
• Please review your application carefully before submitting to ensure it is both complete and accurate, as changes cannot be made once it has been submitted.
• For this 2025 edition, the focus is on the "Protect" pillar, inviting submissions that address wildlife conservation areas and the communities connected to them in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda.

 

Download the full entry form here to complete offline and submit when ready. 

Download questionnaire here.

Entries open on 3 December 2024 and run until 28 February 2025. Finalists will be announced on 14 March 2025, with the winner revealed end-March.

Please note that selected finalists must be comfortable with their ideas and initiatives being shared publicly through Wilderness’ communication channels and aligned third parties. By entering, you consent to receive updates and communication related to the competition.

Supporting assets are welcome and can enhance your submission, but the core evaluation will depend on your responses. Be sure to review your application carefully before submitting to ensure it is complete and accurate.