Unearthodox
The Unearthodox Exploration Co Lab 2027: Edges of Possibility is now accepting applications from innovators developing early stage initiatives that address environmental and societal challenges while reimagining the systems behind those challenges. The 10 month online incubation programme is designed for changemakers whose work explores new relationships between people, society and nature and whose ideas may not fit conventional innovation or funding models.
Organised by Unearthodox, the Exploration Co Lab provides financial support alongside customised incubation, peer learning, coaching, systems thinking and opportunities for collaboration. Selected innovators will receive a CHF 10,000 grant and access to a shared pool of tailored non financial support designed to help them navigate complexity, refine their ideas and explore new pathways for systemic change.
The 2027 edition focuses on “Edges of Possibility,” with particular interest in initiatives that move beyond surface level solutions and address root causes within humanity’s relationship with nature. This can include work connected to climate change, biodiversity, habitat loss, environmental justice, regeneration and other interconnected nature society challenges.
The Exploration Co Lab is Unearthodox’s alternative incubation programme for innovators working on systemic transformation. Rather than focusing only on rapid growth, conventional scaling or commercial outcomes, the programme creates space for experimentation, reflection, collaboration and deeper exploration of the conditions needed for transformative ideas to develop.
The 2027 call seeks initiatives that question existing systems and norms and explore possibilities for a healthier relationship between human societies and the natural world. Unearthodox describes these innovators as “edge walkers,” referring to people pursuing unconventional approaches that may sit outside established categories.
The programme builds on Unearthodox’s previous cohorts and its research into alternative approaches to incubation. The organisation aims to support both the people behind innovative ideas and the wider ecosystems that influence whether those ideas can flourish.
• CHF 10,000 grant funding to support the development of the selected initiative
• 10 month online incubation journey beginning in 2027
• Individualised coaching and expert guidance
• Peer learning and shared exploration with other innovators
• Systems mapping and futures thinking support
• Strategic positioning support for the innovator and initiative
• Support for developing regenerative approaches to defining and measuring success
• Access to a global community of systems innovators, mentors and network builders
• Opportunities for collaboration, mutual support and deep allyship
• Visibility and amplification through Unearthodox communication channels
• Support for exploring new pathways toward systemic change
The Exploration Co Lab welcomes work addressing the relationship between environmental and societal systems. Relevant areas can include:
• Climate change
• Biodiversity
• Habitat loss
• Environmental justice
• Regeneration
• Nature conservation
• Human relationships with the more than human world
• Community and ecological wellbeing
• Systems change
• Alternative governance, economic or institutional approaches
• Social and environmental challenges connected to human relationships with nature
The programme is intentionally open to initiatives that do not fit neatly into conventional categories. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their work connects ecological wellbeing with human wellbeing, justice and systemic transformation.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
• Be over 18 years of age
• Be an innovator with an early stage initiative already in motion
• Work at the intersection of environmental and societal challenges
• Be beyond the idea stage
• Have some initial research, testing, a pilot, proof of concept or active community engagement underway
• Be interested in addressing root causes and contributing to systemic change
• Be willing to participate in a collaborative cohort based learning experience
• Be able to participate in a programme conducted in English
• Submit the application through the official online application portal
• Not currently be employed or contracted by Unearthodox
• Be able to legally accept the grant if selected
• Not be located in a country where international sanctions prevent Unearthodox from sending funds
The Exploration Co Lab is designed for initiatives at different points within the early stages of development. Applicants may be:
• Testing an approach with limited resources and learning directly from the people, environments or living systems they aim to serve
• Proving a concept that demonstrates the core idea can work and requires further testing or development
• Deepening an initiative that has already produced early insights and is ready to explore new pathways
• Pivoting an existing initiative that requires a meaningful change in direction, approach or model
• Working somewhere between these stages while actively shaping the direction of the initiative
A concept that exists only on paper without any groundwork or activity is not sufficient for this call.
Applications are assessed according to five main criteria.
• Systems Orientation: 25 percent, focusing on whether the initiative addresses root causes and systemic patterns rather than symptoms
• Nature Society Vision: 25 percent, examining how ecological outcomes connect with human wellbeing, social justice and rights based approaches
• Boundary Pushing: 25 percent, considering whether the idea proposes meaningful shifts rather than incremental changes
• Transformational Intent: 15 percent, assessing readiness for deep allyship, learning and collaboration across conventional boundaries
• Edge Walking: 10 percent, considering the applicant’s willingness to embrace risk and pursue unconventional approaches to change making
Applications are reviewed by a panel involving experts from environmental and social fields, members of previous Exploration Co Lab cohorts and Unearthodox partners.
Applicants should be prepared to explain their initiative and its potential contribution to systemic transformation. The application should address areas including:
• The future the initiative is helping to create and the future it seeks to move away from
• The larger systems level change the initiative aims to contribute to
• The communities, places and living systems connected to the work
• How the initiative challenges existing systems, norms or assumptions
• How ecological wellbeing and human wellbeing are connected within the approach
• Existing work, research, testing, pilots or community engagement
• What already exists in the relevant field and how the initiative complements rather than duplicates existing approaches
• The deeper purpose behind the work
• How the applicant learns from, respects and collaborates with communities and other changemakers
• The risks taken and unconventional aspects of the applicant’s approach
• The support that would help the initiative develop further
Unearthodox
End of Content.
Do you have a scholarship, job opening, grant, fellowship, or event you’d like to share with a wider audience? Opportunity Desk gives you the platform to reach thousands of students and young professionals who are actively seeking opportunities like yours.
At Opportunity Desk, we go beyond simply sharing opportunities, we make them accessible, relevant, and tailored to your growth journey.
© 2023 Created with Kredibble Creatives & IT Agency
Be the first to comment on this opportunity.