News

2024 NextWorldNow Grant Applicants:

This is an update for NextWorldNow Community Investment’s 2024 grant award process.  NWN fielded inquiries from 1700 organizations located in over 90 different countries.  We subsequently invited and received more than 60 completed comprehensive project applications.   From a very strong pool of applicants, we selected ten finalists and conducted zoom calls with the project leader(s) to review the project and address outstanding questions. 

Having completed this process, NWN is pleased to announce the selection of:

1.      Lanka Rain Water Harvesting Forum | Sri Lanka  -- The Rainwater harvesting System for Jethawanraya Buddhist Monastery in Sri Lankact project collects and stores rainwater during the wet season for use during the dry months (3 - 5 mos.) and distributes the water throughout the monastery which houses over 150 resident monks and supports charitable initiatives (school, a drug rehabilitation centre.

2.  Nampya Farmers Market | Uganda  –  The beekeeping project mitigates human and wildlife (elephant) conflict, feeds families, creates jobs and builds sustainable communities by training and supplying farmers with beehives as active fences to prevent elephants from destroying their farms.  Bee products are produced and marketed globally.

3.      MO Reusable Pad Project | Nigeria – The education and reproductive health project trains young girls in communities addressing menstrual cleanliness, de-stigmatizing dialogues, improving wellbeing and tackling period poverty.  Provides access to reusable sanitary pads.

For those organizations that submitted applications, we recognize that the submission process required time and effort on behalf of your community project.  Having completed dozens of reviews, we were continually impressed by the vision and thoughtfulness of the project plans designed to improve the quality of life in your communities.  We wish that we could directly fund more projects and will work to increase the funding base. 

Some organizations have asked what the selection criteria included.  The projects were reviewed with the following considerations:

1.     Feasibility – how realistic is the project scope and how well thought is the business plan?

2.     Impact – how many people benefit from the project and how significant is the benefit? 

3.     Sustainability – will the project be able to continue after the initial funding period?

4.     Relevance – how important is the project for the community?   

5.     Fiscal Accountability – how are the project funds scheduled be spent, with sufficient detail?

6.     Creativity – how original and inspiring is the proposed solution?

7.     Outcomes – how will project success be measured? are the proposed measures realistic?

8.     Strength – what is the level of commitment by the leaders to make this project work?

9.     Community Engagement – how involved is the community in determining the project?

As part of this 2024 award announcement we plan to promote the top submissions for funding consideration by other sources.  These organizations and projects will be listed on our website,  www.NextWorldNow.org.  When opportunity presents, we will advocate with other potential investors on behalf of these projects.  Upon request, we will forward completed NWN applications and contact information to potential funders.  

Our next funding cycle will begin to accept applications starting January 1, 2025.  Meanwhile, we wish success for your organization.   

Healthy Regards

Marty Waters

NWN

2022 NextWorldNow Grant Applicants:

This is an update for NextWorldNow Community Investment’s 2022 grant award process.  NWN fielded inquiries from 1300 organizations located in over 90 different countries.  We subsequently invited and received more than 40 completed comprehensive project applications.   From a very strong pool of applicants, we selected seven finalists and conducted skype calls with the project leader(s) to review the project and address outstanding questions. 

Having completed this process, NWN is pleased to announce the selection of:

1.       Winds of Change | Ukraine  - The Petalenca project provides vocational training (professional sewing) for Roma women and girls in Odesa.  The project also provides psychological counseling and empowerment skill training for a population that has been historically marginalized.

2.   Conservation Alliance International | Ghana – The Obuoho Community Ecotourism project develops a welcome center for the Atewa forest region which encompasses natural caves and waterfalls.  The project aims to increase the local economy through increased tourism in the region.

3.       Population and Development Initiative (PDI) | Tanzania – The Nutrition and Economic Empowerment project works with women and youth through training to develop green vegetables and yams for a biofortified diet.  Participants receive agronomic and entrepreneurial skill training. 

For those organizations that submitted applications, we recognize that the submission process required time and effort on behalf of your community project.  Having completed dozens of reviews, we were continually impressed by the vision and thoughtfulness of the project plans designed to improve the quality of life in your communities.  We wish that we could directly fund more projects and will work to increase the funding base. 

Some organizations have asked what the selection criteria included.  The projects were reviewed with the following considerations:

1.     Feasibility – how realistic is the project scope and how well thought is the business plan?

2.     Impact – how many people benefit from the project and how significant is the benefit? 

3.     Sustainability – will the project be able to continue after the initial funding period?

4.     Relevance – how important is the project for the community?   

5.     Fiscal Accountability – how are the project funds scheduled be spent, with sufficient detail?

6.     Creativity – how original and inspiring is the proposed solution?

7.     Outcomes – how will project success be measured? are the proposed measures realistic?

8.     Strength – what is the level of commitment by the leaders to make this project work?

9.     Community Engagement – how involved is the community in determining the project?

As part of this 2022 award announcement we plan to promote the top submissions for funding consideration by other sources.  These organizations and projects will be listed on our website,  www.NextWorldNow.org.  When opportunity presents, we will advocate with other potential investors on behalf of these projects.  Upon request, we will forward completed NWN applications and contact information to potential funders.  

Our next funding cycle will begin to accept applications starting January 1, 2023.  Meanwhile, we wish success for your organization.   

Healthy Regards

Marty Waters

NWN