The inaugural Wilderness Impact Challenge 2025 has been launched to encourage innovative solutions for improving human-wildlife coexistence across Africa. With a US$100 000 prize, the initiative seeks practical approaches to mitigate human-wildlife conflict while safeguarding biodiversity in key regions such as Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda.
Challenge focus
This year’s challenge prioritises projects that align with the Wilderness Protect pillar aiming to:
- Prevent human-wildlife conflict through innovations like early-warning systems, eco-friendly barriers and non-lethal deterrents.
- Engage communities through education, conflict resolution strategies and alternative income sources to reduce dependence on wildlife-related resources.
- Strengthen wildlife security through data-driven monitoring systems, partnerships and capacity-building programmes.
Entry details
Applications close on February 28, finalists will be announced on March 14 and the winner will be revealed by the end of March. Proposals must be submitted via an online form and address the needs of wildlife-protected areas and adjacent communities.
