If you are leading an unconventional, early-stage project that reimagines how humanity and the natural world coexist, a new opportunity is open for global changemakers.
Unearthodox has officially launched its open call for the Edges of Possibility: Exploration Co-Lab 2027 Cohort. Designed as an “alternative incubator,” the program provides financial support, tailored coaching, and a global peer community for innovators working at the intersection of ecological and societal transformation.
Applications close on 16 November 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Key Program Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Grant Funding |
CHF 10,000 grant per awardee
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| Non-Financial Support |
Access to a shared pool valued at up to CHF 60,000 in non-financial support (coaching, systems mapping, and ecosystem positioning)
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| Program Duration |
10-month virtual journey starting in March 2027
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| Cohort Size |
7 selected systems innovators
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| Application Deadline |
16 November 2026 (23:59 CET)
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| Application Platform |
Online via YouNoodle
|
What is the Exploration Co-Lab?
Unlike traditional business incubators focused on rapid commercial scaling and competition, the Exploration Co-Lab operates on principles of care, trust, and systems transformation. It targets “edge-walkers”—generalists, leaders, and misfits whose experimental or relational approaches fall outside traditional conservation disciplines or standard grant models.
Selected participants receive:
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CHF 10,000 in direct grant funding to move their initiative forward.
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Individualized coaching and strategic guidance tailored to their trajectory.
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Systems mapping and futures thinking deep-dives alongside cohort peers.
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Amplification & Visibility across global networks and Unearthodox communication channels.
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Long-term Community Access within an active, living ecosystem of alumni and network partners.
Who Should Apply?
Applications are open globally to individuals, informal teams, community collectives, or established organizations.
To be eligible, initiatives must meet the following criteria:
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Already in Motion: The idea must have taken initial concrete steps (e.g., early testing, pilots, or partnerships) or be an established project undergoing a strategic pivot. Ideas starting entirely from scratch are not eligible.
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Substantive Ecological Engagement: The work must directly focus on nature conservation or nature-society interactions (such as land stewardship, food systems, or regenerative governance models), rather than a purely social program hosted in a natural environment.
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Age & Language: Lead applicants must be at least 18 years old and comfortable participating in English.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions are evaluated by an independent panel of experts across five weighted areas:
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Nature-Society Vision (30%): How the project supports the health of a specific natural system while shifting human relationships and rebalancing unfair systems.
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Paradigm-Shifting (20%): How the initiative challenges dominant extractive beliefs, endless-growth models, or unequal power structures.
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Systems Influence (20%): The potential to create ripple effects across broader institutions, policies, economies, or norms.
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Edgewalking (15%): How the applicant’s lived experiences have shaped an unconventional approach to nature-society changemaking.
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Collaborative Intent (15%): Readiness to engage in deep allyship, reciprocal learning, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official YouNoodle portal before 16 November 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to be concrete about implementation steps, clearly explain how their work impacts ecology, and write in their authentic voice without over-relying on artificial intelligence generation tools.
https://static.younoodle.com/assets/Unearthodox%20EP/Edges%20of%20Possibility%20Open%20Call_Information%20for%20Applicants%20%28September%202026%29%201.pdf?fbclid=IwT01FWAUcRNZwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHvTpVRAL2_dJsURz3r552_BgDc5wQcdvjoYJYdmCa0z76J_grExQvQ1FDPvO_aem_fTh6pGyV6aVXjFmXYx96ew