The Wilderness Trust has announced the return of its Wilderness Impact Challenge for 2026, following what it described as a successful inaugural edition.
The competition invites innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers, systems-builders and community leaders to submit practical solutions aimed at strengthening Africa’s conservation economy while generating lasting social and economic value in regions where people and wildlife coexist.
According to Vincent Shacks, Wilderness Group Head of Impact, conservation efforts are most effective when they deliver tangible economic benefits to local communities.
“What we have found up to now is that conservation progresses further when it is economically meaningful for the people closest to it,” Shacks said. “This edition highlights practical, empowerment-driven solutions that help local businesses grow, improve livelihoods, and integrate conservation into local economic systems. When communities gain opportunities through conservation, both people and wilderness benefit.”
The Challenge will award USD 100,000 to the initiative judged to have the greatest potential for impact, enabling the implementation of the winning concept. Final selection will follow a detailed review process conducted by Wilderness’ impact team and an expert judging panel drawn from members of the Trust’s board.
The 2026 edition is anchored in Wilderness’ three core impact pillars — Educate, Empower and Protect — with a specific focus this year on the Empower pillar. Organisers say the emphasis will be on approaches that tackle underlying economic barriers to conservation, favouring durable, locally grounded models over short-term interventions.
In this context, the conservation economy is defined as the network of people, enterprises, skills and systems that enable wild places to be protected while supporting secure livelihoods. This includes value chains, services, technologies, financial mechanisms and governance structures that link nature to economic participation and allow communities to benefit directly from conservation-compatible activities.
The Challenge is open to individuals, teams and organisations worldwide. Proposals must demonstrate relevance to regions where Wilderness operates and be designed for local implementation, with potential to scale and adapt across Africa.
Charles Douglas, Chairman of the Wilderness Trust, said the organisation hopes to build on the momentum of the first competition.
“By centring empowerment, the 2026 Impact Challenge aims to ensure conservation is locally led, economically viable and built to last,” Douglas said.
Entries are now open and will close on 30 April 2026. Applicants are required to submit a short video outlining their proposed solution. Full application details, including submission requirements and assessment stages, are available on the Wilderness Trust website.
The competition invites innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers, systems-builders and community leaders to submit practical solutions aimed at strengthening Africa’s conservation economy while generating lasting social and economic value in regions where people and wildlife coexist.
According to Vincent Shacks, Wilderness Group Head of Impact, conservation efforts are most effective when they deliver tangible economic benefits to local communities.
“What we have found up to now is that conservation progresses further when it is economically meaningful for the people closest to it,” Shacks said. “This edition highlights practical, empowerment-driven solutions that help local businesses grow, improve livelihoods, and integrate conservation into local economic systems. When communities gain opportunities through conservation, both people and wilderness benefit.”
The Challenge will award USD 100,000 to the initiative judged to have the greatest potential for impact, enabling the implementation of the winning concept. Final selection will follow a detailed review process conducted by Wilderness’ impact team and an expert judging panel drawn from members of the Trust’s board.
The 2026 edition is anchored in Wilderness’ three core impact pillars — Educate, Empower and Protect — with a specific focus this year on the Empower pillar. Organisers say the emphasis will be on approaches that tackle underlying economic barriers to conservation, favouring durable, locally grounded models over short-term interventions.
In this context, the conservation economy is defined as the network of people, enterprises, skills and systems that enable wild places to be protected while supporting secure livelihoods. This includes value chains, services, technologies, financial mechanisms and governance structures that link nature to economic participation and allow communities to benefit directly from conservation-compatible activities.
The Challenge is open to individuals, teams and organisations worldwide. Proposals must demonstrate relevance to regions where Wilderness operates and be designed for local implementation, with potential to scale and adapt across Africa.
Charles Douglas, Chairman of the Wilderness Trust, said the organisation hopes to build on the momentum of the first competition.
“By centring empowerment, the 2026 Impact Challenge aims to ensure conservation is locally led, economically viable and built to last,” Douglas said.
Entries are now open and will close on 30 April 2026. Applicants are required to submit a short video outlining their proposed solution. Full application details, including submission requirements and assessment stages, are available on the Wilderness Trust website.
