Applications are invited for The Iris Prize 2024 for Restoring Nature in Your Local Community. The last date of application is April 30, 2024.
About the Organisation
The Iris Project is run in collaboration with Global Greengrants Fund, and has been established in memory of Iris Goldsmith, who died in a tragic accident aged 15. Iris had a deep and lifelong connection with the natural world, a gentle way with animals, and a particular love for the sea. In her memory, they are building a global community of young people working to protect and restore their local natural environment.
Prize Details
Are you aged 14-24? Do you have an idea or an established project protecting or restoring nature in your local community?
They will consider any project for the Iris Prize which supports our core principles, namely championing the protection and restoration of nature and the rights of those working to defend it. They recognise that nature restoration takes various forms – from traditional land stewardship to innovative technological solutions. As such, the Iris Prize will look to reward new ideas and established projects, hoping to overcome the circumstantial barriers that too often prevent young people from being able to advocate for nature-related change.
Eligibility
- Your project or organisation is led by young people aged 14 to 24. To be eligible for an Iris Prize, most of your leadership must be young people with project autonomy and decision-making power. Please do not apply if you are not within this age category.
- You support the principle of protecting and restoring nature and the rights of those working to defend it.
- They welcome projects that are either fiscally sponsored or associated with larger organisations, charities, or NGOs. However, it is essential that the young person leading the project retains complete autonomy and decision-making authority.
- They prioritise ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our prize participants. If you are a minor in your country, please know that we require collaboration with a local organisation or NGO to serve as a fiscal sponsor. This partner organisation will be responsible for managing the financial grant, holding the funds, and providing financial support to you throughout the process.
Project Requirements
- Youth and locally-led initiatives operating in areas identified as significant by their local communities.
- Geographical and thematic diversity is key to our mission. They prioritise initiatives in the Global South, which disproportionately needs our support and where our support can have a more significant impact while still considering exceptional projects from the Global North.
- Eligibility for consideration includes ideas, small-scale projects, or existing initiatives with growth potential and replicability.
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Prize Categories
- The Seed Prize $5,000: Awarded to a young person or team with a groundbreaking idea to protect and/or restore nature in their local community. The age category for this prize is 14-24.
- The Stem Prize $10,000: Awarded to an existing project established recently and on a small scale. The age category for this prize is 16-24.
- The Iris Prize $15,000: Awarded to an established project with the potential to replicate and scale. The age category for this prize is 16-24.
How to Apply?
Interested participants can apply online via this link.
Application Deadline
The last date of application is April 30, 2024.
Contact
Email: prize[at]theirisproject[dot]org
How does the due diligence process work?
Due diligence is an important aspect of our approach, enabling a trust-based and flexible collaboration with our grantees. Beyond fostering this relationship, it plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and safeguarding of youth, recognising that winning the prize and receiving the associated funds can potentially expose young individuals to risks. To uphold the integrity of our selection process, shortlisted applicants are requested to provide two nominated referees.
Are groups eligible to apply?
Teams and organisations are eligible to apply as long as the majority of the leadership team is youth-led, with the nominated individual applying for the prize between the ages of 14-24. This individual must have decision-making powers.
