What?

Lighthouse launches a call for proposals to support initiatives that provide a holistic and innovative response to challenges related to social and ecological sustainability.

 

Why?

There are many initiatives around the world that work for sustainability and in which various social and ecological dimensions are connected.

These initiatives can be strengthened through support that enables them …

  1. … systematise what they already know and reflect on it to use it effectively in their work.
  2. … share what they have learned through their experience with other groups of people or initiatives …
  3. … and network with them.
  4. … receive financial support.

If you identify with this call, we want to get to know you, include you in our network and support you, because we believe you can be holding the key to some of the greatest challenges we face as human beings.

Who?

In this call Holding the Key 2023, we accept applications from initiatives over the world, which are oriented towards social and ecological sustainability. They can be informal groups, associations, a participatory research project, etc. acting locally or internationally, on one or more aspects of social and ecological sustainability.

Requirements: In order to participate in this call, initiatives must

  • Be oriented towards social and environmental sustainability
  • Be active locally or internationally
  • Be in existence at the time of application and have already carried out some activities
  • Have at least two contact persons who speak one of the following three languages: English, Spanish or German
  • Have an internet-connection and access to digital tools for video telephony. The location of the initiatives does not matter.

How?

We offer financial support, up to 2,000 Euros, for selected initiatives that have a concrete proposal in which to invest this money. For example, we could fund the purchase of tools for the creation of an urban cooperative garden or the printing of posters for an anti-racism awareness-raising event – surprise us with your proposal!

We offer methodological support in systematising the theoretical and practical knowledge produced in your initiative through experiences and insights of everyday working together, which is of value to the initiative and beyond to others. For example: through transformative methodologies in a workshop format that can systematise the accumulated knowledge of your experience, and at the same time, generate new perspectives for your longer-term goals. We prepare a proposal of formats, sessions, objectives, and agree with your team what can be most useful. To this end, there is a continuous exchange of information via the most effective means of communication in each case (e-mail, WhatsApp, telephone, video conference, …).

The results are analysed and explained in accessible formats such as articles, infographics or animated videos. These results are carried out and financed by Lighthouse, independently of the 2,000 Euros of financial support.

We offer communication support, to support you in disseminating your lessons learned, your key proposals, your experiences that could be replicated for their great value. We can publish the results of the systematisation of your knowledge on our website, prepare a presentation for a conference or a meeting with the local government, or an awareness-raising action in the public space, among others.

Depending on the type of initiative and the results, Lighthouse organises creative formats of communication and exchange with other initiatives that can learn from yours or that can enrich your team. These may be close in terms of subject matter or geographical area, among others.

We offer the possibility of future collaborations with Lighthouse and the inclusion in our international network of initiatives, groups, organisations and individuals working in a transdisciplinary, cross-cultural, creative and innovative way for a more sustainable future.

Steps and Dates

  1. Download and fill in the questionnaire (editable PDF document) in one of the available languages: English, German, Spanish.
  2. Send it to contact@lighthouse.global before 29.01.2023, 12:00 pm, CET. Subject: Holding the Key 2023.
  3. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by email.
  4. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted between the 1st and the 3rd of February 2023 for a virtual interview.
  5. The interviews will take place at Tuesday, the 7th of February 2023. They can be conducted in English, German or Spanish. Possible time slots are between 8 am to 5 pm GMT. The time provided for each initiative is 45 minutes maximum.
  6. The final selected applications will be informed at 10.02.2023.
  7. Mid-February 2023, the support plan will be agreed with the selected initiative and subsequently the agreed amount will be transferred, and virtual and/or face-to-face meetings will be arranged to propose and schedule the other types of support. During these weeks of initial contacts, the agreed amount of money is transferred, which is formalised by signing the corresponding receipt.
  8. The amount of money must be used within the time of the process with Lighthouse, presenting the relevant invoices.
  9. At the end of the process, the selected initiatives receive a final document and an evaluation.
  10. At a later stage, selected applications may be contacted for future meetings with other selected applications in order to allow for any common synergies that may arise.
  11. Selected applications will not be eligible for future calls for proposals.
  12. If you have any questions regarding this call, please do not hesitate to contact us: contact@lighthouse.global