The Impact Challenge is open to individuals, teams, and organisations with solutions that address real economic challenges within conservation landscapes. Proposals must focus on tangible impact within Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, or Rwanda, and demonstrate clear relevance to communities living in or alongside wildlife protected areas in Africa.

Proposals should demonstrate how they:

Improve economic opportunities linked to conservationEmpower communities, entrepreneurs, or practitioners within conservation landscapes providing valuable services to the tourism industryStrengthen value chains that support wildlife protection and sustainable land use

Potential areas for exploration include (but are not limited to):

Conservation-linked -related -adjacent livelihoods and enterprise developmentTechnology or systems that improve efficiency, access, or income in conservation-related workMarket access, certification, or value-addition for conservation-compatible products and servicesInitiatives that support the production, processing, or sale of goods that are compatible with conservation and derive value from healthy ecosystemsSolving procurement or value chain problems related to in-camp goods and services that are locally relevant, and simple to apply and manage, avoiding complicated processes or systemsApproaches that reduce vulnerability to climate shocks, seasonality, or exploitation by strengthening income stability, diversification, and long-term economic sustainabilityBy focusing on empowerment, the 2026 Impact Challenge aims to ensure that conservation is economically meaningful for the people who live and work alongside wildlife and wilderness areas.

A short online application form & video elevator pitch

The form will capture key information about the applicant, the proposed solution, and where it will be implemented. The video must be no longer than two minutes and should clearly explain: What your solution is The economic or livelihood challenge it addresses How it strengthens the conservation economy This video is intended as a concise introduction to your idea. It does not need to be professionally produced. Videos must be uploaded to YouTube and submitted as a shareable unlisted link within the application form. Please do not use private links, as these require individual viewing permissions and may prevent the judging panel from accessing your video. Videos do not need to be of professional quality. Filming with a smartphone is entirely acceptable. The judging panel will assess the clarity of the idea, not production quality. Tips for a strong video submission: Film in landscape (horizontal) orientation, not portrait Film in a quiet, well-lit space with minimal background noise Position your phone at eye level and ensure your face is clearly visible Use natural light where possible, avoid filming with bright light behind you Speak clearly and focus on the problem you are solving and why your solution matters Keep it simple, authentic, and within the two-minute limit

Ten shortlisted applicants will be contacted by the end of May 2026, and invited to submit a full project proposal, including: A detailed project description Implementation plan and timeline Budget and funding request Expected outcomes and impact By the end of June 2026, the top three candidates will be invited to do a five-minute online presentation to the Wilderness Impact Team, which will be shared with the judging panel. Final funding decisions will be made by the judging panel following review of full proposals and online presentations, with the winner announced by the end of August 2026.

Click here to download our Evaluation Criteria and see how your entry will be judged.

Wilderness Impact Challenge

A pioneering initiative advancing conservation across Africa.

Changemakers, innovators, and environmental champions, we want you!

Trust Home Impact Challenge

The Impact Challenge is back

The 2026 Wilderness Impact Challenge is a call to action for innovators, system-builders, engineers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders with ideas that could change how conservation works on the ground.

Do you have an idea that could strengthen the conservation economy?

This is your invitation to share it.

We are looking for practical, innovative solutions – from bold new concepts to smart improvements – that strengthen the conservation economy across Africa and create better outcomes for people, wildlife, and the systems that connect them.

Following a rigorous review process, a panel of expert judges comprised of Wilderness Trust board members will award USD100,000 to the most impactful project, helping turn strong ideas into real-world solutions that improve livelihoods, build resilient enterprises, and support economic systems where conservation is viable, valuable, and locally led.

Guided by Wilderness’ three Impact pillars – Educate, Empower, and Protect – the Impact Challenge supports initiatives that deliver measurable social and economic benefits in conservation landscapes, enabling people and nature to thrive together.

Building the conservation economy

Behind every conservation success is a network of people, systems, and ideas.

For this year’s Wilderness Impact Challenge, the conservation economy refers to the network of people, skills, enterprises, and systems that make conservation possible – and make it work for those living alongside wild places.

It includes how communities earn income, create value, access markets, and participate in decisions about natural resources. A strong conservation economy ensures that people benefit directly and fairly from conservation-related activities, helping reduce pressure on ecosystems and reliance on extractive or environmentally damaging practices.

The conservation economy is about far more than conservation organisations or protected area management alone. It includes the supply chains, services, technologies, finance, and governance structures that sit behind conservation and tourism – from local sourcing and logistics to smarter transport, circular systems, innovative protection solutions, and new ways of connecting camps and communities. When these systems work well, conservation becomes economically viable, locally owned, and resilient over time.

What should you enter?

For this challenge, we are looking for ideas that improve how the conservation economy functions – by increasing access, transparency, efficiency, equity, or long-term sustainability.

Enter here

Addressing economic challenges

Big idea or small improvement – if it makes the system work better, we want to hear about it.

Ideas might focus on rethinking supply chains, creating new community-led enterprises, or finding smarter ways for conservation and livelihoods to support one another.

Some practical solutions we’ve seen before, which may serve as inspiration, include using beehives to protect crops from elephants while producing honey for local markets; turning snares recovered from poaching into income-generating jewellery; or developing community farms that educate young people, support local food security, and supply nearby lodges.

Strong proposals will tackle structural challenges rather than short-term fixes, offering models that are financially viable, locally grounded, and designed to grow, adapt, and endure. This might be a new technology, a better supply chain, a community-led service, a circular economy solution, or a simple idea that unlocks greater local opportunity.

By centring Empower, this edition recognises a simple truth: conservation works best when people are economically secure, fairly rewarded, and meaningfully connected to the systems that protect – and benefit from – nature.

Ready to enter?

Submit a short online entry form along with a video elevator pitch. The form will capture key information about you and your proposed solution.

Enter the Impact Challenge

Entry Guidelines

Eligibility and Scope

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Key Focus Areas

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Part 1 – Initial application

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Part 2 – Shortlisting and Full Proposal

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Evaluation Criteria

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Enter the Impact Challenge

Want to know how your entry will be judged?

Download the Evaluation Criteria here

Familiarise yourself with the the Wilderness Impact Challenge Terms & Conditions here

Read our Privacy Policy here

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.

Stay inspired

Explore our stories of change. Sign up to stay connected and received regular Wilderness Impact news, including application updates and inspiring developments.

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