LET’S FERTILISE THE FUTURE

This global pandemic is totally poop.
But ask any green scientist and they’ll tell you:
Poop makes excellent fertiliser.
We’re a cleaning brand.
So whilst many businesses have struggled to survive, we’ve sold more during COVID-19.
But we’re not keeping that all to ourselves.
Instead, we’re pledging over £500,000 to our new initiative: FERTILISE THE FUTURE.
Using the crisis of today to help fund the sustainable start-ups and eco-pioneers of tomorrow.
Because as we say in Belgium:
When life gives you poop, grow flowers.
Let’s live clean.

#FERTILISETHEFUTURE
Buttercup - fertilising the future image
Applications Closed

The window for applications has now closed. (1st September)

We’ve had over 450 inspiring applications promoting nature based solutions from across Europe which will now go through the Fertilise the Future selection process, see more info below.

 

Keep up to date with the process across our social channels.

SUPPORTING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS

Our fund aims to provide financial investments to innovative ideas promoting nature-based solutions, including:

  1. The conservation and restoration of forest and other terrestrial ecosystems
  2. The conservation and restoration of freshwater resources as well as marine and ocean ecosystems
  3. Sustainable agriculture and food systems
  4. Ensuring nature’s systemic role in sustainable development in ways that end the loss of biodiversity and optimise nature’s contribution tor resilient livelihoods, green infrastructure, sustainable settlements and just rural transitions.
What we are looking for

The fund is open to all European organisations, except employees of Ecover, their families, agents or any third party directly associated with administration of the Campaign. The key criteria Ecover are looking for are:

  1. The idea’s demonstrated proof of concept
  2. The idea’s alignment with Ecover’s mission for regeneration
  3. Understanding interconnected impacts on nature, people and climate
  4. Direct impact on the planet or if aiming for wider systemic change, a credible hypothesis of how this impact will be achieved
  5. Action orientation
  6. Desire to work in partnership
  7. Driven by long-term change
  8. Commitment to transparency
  9. Able to measure and report impact
  10. Ambition to have a disproportionate impact
Selection Process
  • The opening date for applications is 6th June 2020. The closing date for applications is 1st September 2020. Applications received after this time will not be considered.
  • Successful ideas will be selected by a panel appointed by Ecover and comprising both employees of Ecover and external experts in the field of regeneration.
  • The selection of successful ideas will be guided by the criteria outlined in the terms & conditions, however Ecover retains absolute discretion in the outcome of the decision-making process.
  • The number of successful applicants is subject to Ecover’s discretion but will include at least one successful idea based in each of the United Kingdom, Belgium and Germany, or one successful idea covering all three of these countries.
  • The total monetary amount available under the Campaign is at least £500,000. The monetary sum (in British pounds) to be granted to each successful applicant will be dependent on the amount requested in the application and is subject to Ecover’s discretion.
  • Successful applicants will be notified by email or telephone (using details provided at entry) by 1st January 2021 at the latest.
  • Successful applicants shall be subject to passing financial and legal checks and must enter into a Funding Agreement outlining terms and the process for payment of funds by 1st February 2021.
  • All applications are subject to terms and conditions.

Please see here for full terms and conditions and funding agreement.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
PLEASE CONTACT US AT
FERTILISETHEFUTURE@PEOPLEAGAINSTDIRTY.COM

 

FAQS
  • WHAT ARE 'NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS?

    Nature based solutions are solutions that seek to protect, restore and regenerate social AND ecological systems. They recognise that in order to be successful, solutions to environmental challenges need to help tackle societal issues at the same time.

  • ARE YOU LOOKING TO SUPPORT LARGE-SCALE CONSERVATION PROJECTS?

    We’re looking for ideas that harness the power of nature to help us fight the interlinked challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change. We realise significant investments from business and governments that fit the scale of these challenges are necessary, but we want to do our part and start a conversation. Projects could include anything from a green roof that enhances biodiversity to one that supports a larger programme around sustainable agriculture or the restoration of diverse natural ecosystems on land and in the sea. Ideas will be chosen based on the range of benefits they provide for people and planet.

     

  • WHAT TYPE OF ORGANISATIONS/PEOPLE ARE YOU HOPING TO HEAR FROM? WHO SHOULD APPLY?

    We want to hear from organisations that already have a proof of concept and who are looking for funding to accelerate their scale and impact.

  • HOW MANY GRANTS ARE YOU GIVING OUT AND WHAT SIZE?

    We have not set a defined number of grants as this is dependent on both the quantity and quality of the type of applications we receive. We are asking applicants to choose between 3 different levels of grant; 1. £10k-100k, 2. £100-£300k and 3. £300k plus. They will be allocated at our discretion. We aim to support at least 1 project in each of the 3 countries where we have a presence: the UK, Belgium and Germany.

  • WHICH EXTERNAL EXPERTS ARE YOU GOING TO CONSULT?

    We are currently determining who best to get involved. When we are ready to confirm, we will publish the details here on our website.

     

  • I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT MY APPLICATION, WHO CAN I SPEAK TO?

    Please email fertilisethefuture@peopleagainstdirty.com and one of the team will answer your questions.

  • CAN I APPLY FOR PROJECTS THAT HAVE AN IMPACT OUTSIDE OF EUROPE?

    Yes you can. Although we are European based and primarily looking to have an impact in the UK, Belgium + Germany where we are most active, we are also interested in projects that have an impact beyond Europe.

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