A fully-funded initiative enabling WWF Country Offices to test bold, future-focused solutions with funding, training, and expert support—de-risking innovation for lasting conservation impact.
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The Futures Innovation Collab is a fully-funded innovation playground by the Innovation@WWF Team and WWF Netherlands, allowing Country Office teams to creatively develop and implement future-focused, bold solutions without the financial risk associated with innovation.
This program enables COs to test innovative ideas aligned with their strategic interests and, upon validating impactful results, take on the responsibility for sustaining these innovations.
An approach to project design that fosters transformative innovations in conservation while equally furthering the strategies of WWF National Offices and Country Offices. The approach starts with future visioning tools and leverages various innovation methods.
THIS IS UNIQUE BECAUSE:
What’s Happened So Far?
The Futures Innovation Collab launched its first cohort in July 2023, bringing together teams from WWF Country Offices to develop and pilot bold, future-focused solutions under the themes of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Connectivity.
Over the past year, five innovative projects have progressed through the piloting stage, with teams receiving structured funding, coaching, and training to build their innovation skills. This initiative has not only fostered creative problem-solving but also strengthened collaboration between Country Offices and WWF Netherlands, creating a platform for experimentation without financial risk.
Check the recordings!
Last year, during the Innovation Festival 2023, we hosted Futures Innovation Collab Showcase sessions, where teams from WWF Country Offices pitched their bold conservation ideas for pilot funding. Check the recordings here:
What’s Coming Next
With the success of the first cohort, we are now preparing to launch the second cohort in July 2025, shifting focus to the critical theme of Food.
This next phase will provide a new group of WWF Country Offices with access to funding, expert guidance, and innovation support, enabling them to explore and test high-impact solutions in sustainable food systems. As we expand the program, we look forward to seeing fresh ideas emerge, new partnerships form, and the continued integration of innovation into conservation strategies across the WWF network.
More equitable, empathetic and close relationships between COs and NOs
An environment in which NOs and COs work together as collaborators to develop disruptive ideas but the ultimately decisions about which projects should be scaled live with CO Leaders.
An environment in which NOs and COs work together as collaborators to develop disruptive ideas but the ultimately decisions about which projects should be scaled live with CO Leaders.
Strategic Advancement
Successful innovations can be integrated into funding requests towards WWF NL (and other WWF offices or funding opportunities), aligning with and advancing CO strategic goals and aligning with a priority area for WWF NL
Successful innovations can be integrated into funding requests towards WWF NL (and other WWF offices or funding opportunities), aligning with and advancing CO strategic goals and aligning with a priority area for WWF NL
Access to Networks and Coaching
Continuous coaching and technical support to refine and strengthen ideas through the various stages, as well as tap into extended pools of advisors and experts, beyond the usual reach of conservation teams
Continuous coaching and technical support to refine and strengthen ideas through the various stages, as well as tap into extended pools of advisors and experts, beyond the usual reach of conservation teams
Access to Additional Funding
COs can access a dedicated pool of funding specifically for developing and experimenting with innovative and risky ideas, separate from their existing funding arrangements with WWF NL
COs can access a dedicated pool of funding specifically for developing and experimenting with innovative and risky ideas, separate from their existing funding arrangements with WWF NL
Capacity Building
Participation in workshops and guided learning-by-doing enhances the innovation skills and mindsets of CO project teams.
Participation in workshops and guided learning-by-doing enhances the innovation skills and mindsets of CO project teams.
Risk Mitigation
The innovation playground allows COs to explore and test disruptive ideas without the usual financial risks.
The innovation playground allows COs to explore and test disruptive ideas without the usual financial risks.
Creative Freedom
Provides COs with the space to be creative and experimental, fostering a culture of innovation.
Provides COs with the space to be creative and experimental, fostering a culture of innovation.
Do I need Innovation experience to participate?
No! We welcome people from all backgrounds and levels of innovation experience. The process is step by step and we’ll be explaining everything along the way. All you need is the time capacity and enthusiasm to participate fully.
Is this open for any office?
Not yet. At this point the process is only open to Country Offices who are in a landscape supported by WWF NL. The intention is to expand for the next round.
Currently supported office:
WWF Argentina
WWF Bonaire
WWF Bolivia
WWF Brasil
WWF Cameroon
WWF China
WWF Colombia
WWF Denmark (Greenland)
WWF Gabon
WWF Guianas (Suriname and Guyana)
WWF Indonesia
WWF Malaysia
WWF Mongolia
WWF Namibia
WWF Norway
WWF Paraquay
WWF Peru
WWF Philippines
WWF Rep Congo
WWF Solomon Island
WWF Zambia
WWF Zimbabwe
Will we get funding to cover our staff time?
There will be a small amount made available for offices who need financial support to participate in the Incubation stage. This funding is intended to ensure your teams full participation in this 3 month process of developing your project idea.
Can we work with external partners/ consultants?
Whilst the primary participation needs to be a WWF Staff member, you may include any consultants or external partners that have an interest in participating in this process with you. External partners and/or consultants will not be allowed to participate without your direct involvement.
How is this process different from the Practice Innovation Fund?
NOTE: There will be no Practice Innovation Fund in 2024.
The Practice Innovation Fund invited applications for projects that answered a number of pre-selected Challenges as determined by the Practices. The Futures Innovation Collab invited you to determine these thematic focuses with us
The Futures Innovation Collab has a unique focus on future visioning and trends
The Practice Innovation Fund provided proposal development support and funding for the first testing stage. The Futures Innovation Collab includes a 3 month ideas incubation process together with ongoing staged support from piloting through to scale.
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