Conservation impact initiative in Rwanda landscape

Wilderness Impact Challenge

A pioneering initiative advancing conservation in Africa.


Learn how our 2026 finalists are helping to advance the conservation economy.

FINALISTS

Thank you to the almost 100 organisations and individuals who entered the Wilderness Impact Challenge 2026.

We were inspired by the calibre, creativity and commitment demonstrated across this year's applications. The level of innovation and the passion shown for strengthening conservation and community impact made the judging process both inspiring and exceptionally competitive.

After careful consideration by our judging panel, we are excited to announce the three finalists below. Congratulations to each of them on reaching this stage – a testament to the strength of their vision, the impact of their work, and their dedication to advancing the conservation economy. We wish all three finalists the very best as they move into the final phase of judging.

The winner will be announced at the end of August 2026.

Ele-Collection

Women's Empowerment Through Plastic Collection

Plastic pollution threatens wildlife around Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, while many local communities have few formal employment opportunities. Ele-Collection tackles both challenges by employing women-led teams to recover plastic from the environment before transforming it into eco-aggregate for the construction industry.

Every kilogram collected creates income, removes waste from wild spaces, and strengthens a growing conservation economy built on circular innovation.

Learn more about Ele-Collection

CLAWS

Certified Wildlife Friendly™ Beef

CLAWS (Communities Living Among Wildlife Sustainably) is helping turn cattle into a powerful conservation tool in Botswana's Okavango Delta. By working with local farmers to improve herding practices and create Africa's first Certified Wildlife Friendly™ beef supply chain, the initiative reduces human-lion conflict while rewarding farmers with premium market access.

The result is healthier rangelands, increased lion populations, stronger rural livelihoods, and a model where protecting wildlife makes economic sense.

Learn more about CLAWS

Wild Survivors

From Conflict to Coexistence Economies

Wild Survivors is transforming human-elephant conflict into opportunity by helping women-led enterprise hubs build businesses around coexistence. Combining beekeeping, regenerative agriculture and locally made honey and organic products, the initiative supplies nearby tourism operators while creating sustainable livelihoods.

By connecting communities directly to conservation-friendly markets, the model turns protecting wildlife into a lasting economic opportunity owned by local people.

Learn more about Wild Survivors

More about the Challenge

Learn more about the judging panel or the 2025 Impact Challenge winner and finalists.

Judging Panel

The Wilderness Trust Board of Trustees form the judging panel for the Impact Challenge.

Meet the judges

Impact Challenge 2025

Learn more about the winner and finalists from last year’s Impact Challenge.

Read more

Contact Wilderness Trust

[email protected]