Propose a Project
INTRODUCTION
EcoWB is a scientific non-profit organization that provides technical and logistical support for project creators through our volunteer support network. EcoWB projects coordinate, support, and assist others to achieve positive outcomes for the environment and local communities. Our projects are typically undertaken at the request of and in cooperation with local stakeholders. We welcome proposals from project creators (e.g., organizations, institutions, scientists, NGOs, community members, businesses) who see an opportunity to address an environmental issue in their community or region. For these project creators, EcoWB can serve as a start-up hub, at first providing a virtual space to dialogue, design and refine their ideas, and then, if appropriate, to organize technical and financial support from our volunteer and donor base. EcoWB offers project support in areas of research, training and teaching, fundraising, project design and management, as well as volunteer coordination and recruitment. Read more about our Project Support Services.
We invite you to submit your project to EcoWB for consideration. This page gives guidance on how to submit a project proposal through our two-step process. Thank you for your efforts to bring about positive environmental change and for considering EcoWB as a resource. We look forward to reviewing your Letter of Interest.
→ Please be aware that we do not provide direct grant funding.
We are happy to assist you through the proposal process. If you need assistance, please contact us using the form below.
If you are unable to prepare a written proposal in English, please contact us using the form below. We may be able to provide translation support through our network of volunteers.
ECOWB MISSION
Promoting healthy ecosystems, the sustainable use of natural resources, and community resilience to ecological change through international collaboration and volunteer service.
We achieve our mission by coordinating resources – local knowledge, scientific and technical expertise, technology, fundraising advice and grants administration – to support local efforts that address environmental challenges, and to protect and restore ecosystems and their ecological components and processes. EcoWB projects help achieve ecological sustainability by building human capacity through partnerships, science and technology transfer, and providing opportunities for service and education.
WHAT IS AN ECOWB PROJECT?
We specialize in connecting change-makers with our professional support network to create and execute projects. Our projects are goal-oriented, scientifically sound, and community- powered projects in conservation, restoration, and resource management that benefit humans and nature.
In general, an EcoWB project is a set of activities that responds to an ecological problem or need. Projects are defined by a specific scope including objectives, geographic area, and desired outcomes.
Basic Criteria
To be considered for EcoWB support, a project should ideally meet the following criteria:
- The project results in environmentally and socially beneficial outcomes that avoid, reduce, reverse, or mitigate adverse environmental impacts and result in the long-term sustainability of the affected ecosystem and the communities living within it.
- The project advances scientific knowledge, promotes the conservation of terrestrial, aquatic, and/or atmospheric systems, and encourages the socially equitable use of natural resources.
- The project protects and/or restores the living and nonliving components and processes of natural and semi-natural ecosystems.
- The project improves the capacity of local communities to steward natural resources and well-being through improved collaboration and partnerships, economic opportunities, research, and/or technology transfer.
- The project relies on substantial participation and contributions from the target population and affected stakeholders, and respects local knowledge, traditions, beliefs, and regulations.
EcoWB’s Additional Project Standards
In addition, to uphold EcoWB’s mission and avoid potentially harmful environmental or social impacts, EcoWB projects should also, if applicable:
- Be consistent with UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN 2019) and AICHI Biodiversity Targets defined by The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD 2020).
- Work to conserve the environment and, at minimum, avoid negative impacts to native terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and species. For example, projects must avoid any activities that contribute to climate change or loss of biodiversity.
- Promote the conservation and extension of, and at minimum avoid negative impacts to, large, non-fragmented natural areas ensuring the long-term survival of constituent biota.
- Minimize the introduction, spread, and impact of alien species.
- Promote social equity, sustainability, and preservation of natural capital.
- Evaluate the risk of project failure and of unwanted impacts to natural and human systems, if necessary at multiple scales (from local to global). If relevant, risk mitigation measures should be developed and followed.
Active Areas of Interest
EcoWB is currently developing projects in the following Areas of Interest:
- Sustainable natural resource use, e.g. Sustainable fishing/Aquaculture
- Environmental/Social entrepreneurship
- Community-led aquatic/terrestrial conservation
- Endangered/Threatened species, populations, communities, or biodiversity basic research
- Agriculture: Permaculture, soil productivity, agroecology
- Renewable/Green or blue energy
- Reducing plastic use/pollution
- Community-focused environmental restoration
- Sustainable ecotourism
- Youth and/or outreach oriented and ecology-centered education
- Application of traditional knowledge to restore/manage the natural environment
If you have an ecologically focused project that is not included in the above Active Areas of Interest but you believe it meets the criteria outlined above,
please feel free to contact us through a Letter of Interest. Be sure to describe how your project fulfills our criteria and furthers our organizational mission.
ECOWB PROJECT SUPPORT SERVICES
EcoWB offers project support in the following areas: Initial Consultation, Research, Training and Teaching, Project Design and Management, Fundraising and Fund Management, and Direct Volunteer Support (remote or on-site).
→ Please be aware that we do not provide direct grant funding. There are also some limits to the types of project activities we can support. For example, we are unable to provide medical or legal assistance, and we do not support projects whose objectives include political or religious campaigns.
Initial Consultation
For project creators with a potential project idea who would like to discuss the feasibility of that idea with EcoWB, we offer initial consultation through a shortened Letter of Interest submittal process.
Research
Our volunteers can conduct research needed to support your project including data gathering, assessments, and analysis. This includes research needed to support biodiversity and conservation efforts, environmental studies, or assessments necessary for aquatic and terrestrial protected area design. We can also help conduct impact analyses, provide GIS and remote sensing services, design methodological approaches for determining outcomes, and recommend practices that improve sustainability of local resources. We may also be able to assist with report writing and publication.
Training and Teaching
EcoWB projects may include skill transfer and capacity building in local communities. Our volunteer experts assist in developing or reviewing training material and courses. These types of activities are generally conducted collaboratively with local resource users, universities, and community organizations. We may also assist with academic or professional programs by developing case studies, and facilitating seminars and internships that connect learners with real-world problems and contemporary approaches to solving them.
Project Design and Management
If your community has identified an ecological problem or need, but first needs assistance with outlining desired outcomes and identifying project activities, we may be able to assist. For example, we may be able to help assess the need for data-gathering or assessments, assess risks and impacts of project activities, assist with feasibility studies, help design pilot projects, and develop indicators for measuring success. Our goal is to select and design projects that will have a long-term impact beyond the project period itself.
EcoWB also specializes in managing projects. We can help by identifying project needs and matching volunteer experts with those needs. Some projects involve complex logistical challenges; we may be able to help coordinate supplies, personnel, and communications with government officials and other NGOs.
Fundraising and Fund Management Support
Although we do not provide direct grant funding, EcoWB can assist with identifying available funding opportunities, grant writing, and administration of grants for specific projects. As a nonprofit entity, we can provide a central location for receiving funds, basic accounting services, third party account management, and financial oversight. Depending upon the project and context, EcoWB may charge an administrative fee for these services.
Direct Volunteer Support (Remote or On-site)
An important part of the EcoWB mission is to connect experts who seek to make a difference with projects where their expertise is needed. Our global network of volunteers includes a wide range of disciplines, including marine and terrestrial ecology, environmental science, fisheries, conservation biology, agriculture, social science, policy, engineering, GIS/cartography, resource management, and more. We can match the needs of your project to qualified volunteers with the needed expertise to assist with your project.
Volunteer support may take two different forms. EcoWB can offer remote, part-time volunteer support and/or on-site volunteer support. When on-site volunteer support is necessary and travel is required, EcoWB may also provide resources for travel and logistics.
→ Please note that we do not provide volunteers primarily to supply labor, or for general, menial tasks.
→ Please note that we do not currently provide certain kinds of logistical travel support such as travel insurance, emergency on-call support, or cultural and legal advice.
→ Additionally, EcoWB cannot assume the role of governmental liaison for your planned activities (e.g., visa arrangements in case of travel).
SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL
EcoWB encourages proposals using a simple and straightforward two-step process.
- Initially, you submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) outlining your proposal, which will be reviewed by our Projects Committee.
- The Committee will provide feedback and may invite you to complete a Full Project Application. The invitation for a full application usually includes suggestions for refining and further developing your project design.
