Road to COP26 Innovation Grant Programme_detail info

The main purpose of the Programme is to support the development of new, exciting and innovative ideas for sustainable businesses in Nepal, which will harness nature-based solutions and craft-related practices to promote positive environmental impacts and climate change resilience in Nepal.

A further purpose is to develop more inclusive definitions of innovation that champions the talent of females and young people as well as other marginalised communities.

Valuing inclusivity, honesty, creativity, equality, community, and innovation, this Programme aims to bring together individuals and teams with a diverse set of experiences and knowledge, and to apply these to develop nature-based and craft-related solutions with purpose and benefit to people and the planet, by:

• Supporting creative responses to climate change resilience in Nepal.
• Supporting grassroots involvement in and the application of intergenerational knowledge transfer to produce environmental benefits.
• Supporting the capacity building of females, young people, marginalised communities and people with disabilities to deliver sustainable business ideas.
• Applying traditional achievements in social innovation to modern challenges like climate change.
• Providing a supported environment in which to explore and push the boundaries of existing nature-based materials and processes.

 You will be based in Nepal and you will have an idea for an object- or service-based business that has nature-based materials and processes and craft-related practices at its core, with a clear desire for the idea/business to benefit the environment and support climate change resilience. The idea and/or the business can be at any stage (from new to more established) and be at a point that it would benefit from the support and development opportunity available via this Programme. You can apply as an individual or as a team. You can come from any educational background, industry, or creative discipline. You will need to be able to access the internet in order to participate in the online incubator event. We particularly encourage applications from females, young people, people from ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.

Up to 50 people will be selected to take part in the incubator event. Eligible participants will be selected based on the idea they apply against the selection criteria. We will look to achieve broad representation across age, gender, ethnic origin, ability, educational background and discipline. Selected participants will have the opportunity to apply for additional support after the incubator event, where up to five ideas will be further developed through mentoring and grant funding.

• Applications for Programme open 20 January 2021
• Innovation Grant Programme orientation webinar 25 January 2021
• Programme application submission deadline 18 March 2021
• Outcome notified to all applicants 30 March 2021
• Incubator event 14-16 & 19-21 April 2021
• Applications for additional support open 22 April 2021
• Additional support application submission deadline 27 April 2021
• Outcome notified to all applicants by 5 May 2021
• Grant & mentoring period May – September 2021
• Showcase event in Nepal October 2021
• Showcase event in UK November 2021

The incubator event will be hosted by Kathmandu University and Applied Arts Scotland and will be delivered online with some participants able to attend in-person sessions at KU Department of Art and Design (subject to availability and Covid-19 safety guidelines at the time). In-person sessions will be prioritised for those individuals who can prove barriers to accessing virtual sessions.

“Live” events will take place during afternoon sessions (Nepal Standard Time). Pre-recorded material will be available for participants to view at their convenience in advance of and following sessions. Live and pre-recorded content will be available in English and Nepali. Pre-recorded and session content will be delivered by representatives from Kathmandu University, Applied Arts Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University and other invited Nepali experts.

Individuals and teams awarded the additional support will receive monthly tailored mentoring sessions with experts from Nepal and the UK. These may take place in person, subject to Covid-19 restrictions, and online. The expertise of mentors will be tailored to your idea(s) and any specific needs you identify. Along with the grant, these sessions will support you to further develop your idea into a prototype object, service and/or process and beyond, and help you consider how best to showcase this work to audiences in Nepal and the UK.

Showcase events will take place in Nepal and the UK. These are an opportunity for you to share your ideas, experiences and prototypes with a wide audience, and receive feedback on these. The format of the showcase events will be finalised by July 2021, observing all local and national government Covid-19 restrictions in the planning and delivery of these.

Some of the ideas developed during this Programme may be described within academic case studies where we consider the ways in which people, planet, profit and purpose have been addressed, and how the ideas contribute towards environmental improvement and climate change resilience. Any descriptions will respect and credit your intellectual property and will not compromise the sustainability of your idea and (potential) business. We expect selected Programme participants to cooperate with this research, which may include taking part in interviews and providing supporting information including images, film and audio. You will of course reserve the right for your information to be anonymised. Your data will be treated in confidence and will adhere to Kathmandu University and Edinburgh Napier University standards of research ethics and data protection.

Selected Programme participants are expected to agree to any reasonable requests for press or media, and to discuss any self-initiated media coverage with the project team using the email address provided below in the first instance. Press information will be agreed upon and released by the project partners.

Submit your application for the incubator event via the Google form (English) / Google form (Nepali) by 23:59 (Nepal Standard Time) on 18 March 2021.

You will be asked to provide information about yourself / or your team, your background and your idea. The information about your idea can be submitted in writing on the application form or in a film. Your idea is the most important thing, so please make sure you describe it clearly, explain why you / your team are the right person/people to progress it and how the Programme will support you to do this.

If you are applying as a team, please provide the details of a named representative(s) who will attend the incubator event on your application.

Mandatory questions on the application form are indicated by a red asterisk – you must complete these in order for your application to be considered. Ensure that you adhere to word and time limits where these are specified for written and recorded applications, respectively. You can save and return to your application form at any time in advance of the submission deadline.

Applications will not be accepted after the submission deadline.

Information on applying for the additional support will be provided to participants of the incubator event.

The British Council, Kathmandu University and Applied Arts Scotland will jointly host an orientation webinar on the Innovation Grant Programme on 22 January 2021. You can register for the webinar through this form.

Submit your application for the incubator event via the Google form (English) / Google form (Nepali) by 23:59 (Nepal Standard Time) on 18 March 2021.

Selection of participants for both the incubator event and additional support will be made by representatives of the project partners:

• Dr. Inge Panneels, Research Fellow, Edinburgh Napier University
• Dr. Jyoti Tandukar, Tribhuvan University
• Dr. Lynne Hocking-Mennie, Vice-Chair, Applied Arts Scotland
• Dr. Sunil Chitrakar, Vice-Chairperson, Fair Trade Group Nepal / CEO Mahaguthi
• Helen Voce, Advisor, Applied Arts Scotland
• Kirti Man Shakya, Design Faculty, Department of Art and Design, School of Arts, Kathmandu University
• Mira Pokharel, CEO, National Innovation Centre
• Nischal Oli, Head of Arts, British Council Nepal
• Pratisthit Lal Shrestha, Asst. Prof, Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering Kathmandu University
• Prina Bajracharya, Visiting Faculty, Department of Art and Design, School of Arts, Kathmandu University
• Rosha Chitrakar, Crafted in Kathmandu
• Shyambadan Shrestha, Nepal Knotcraft Centre

 

Selection from among eligible applications (see above) will be based on the information you provide about your idea in your application form against the following selection criteria:

1. Potential of the idea to address the Programme’s purpose and objectives.
2. Ways in which future implementation of your idea could benefit people, planet, profit and/or purpose.
3. Potential for the Programme to support the development of the idea.

What is COP26?

COP26, or the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties UK, is a global event taking place in Glasgow, Scotland, 1-12 November 2021.

More than 200 state leaders are expected to commit to enhanced ambitions against climate change during the event following the adoption of the Paris Agreement international treaty on climate change where countries voluntarily set an agenda to foster stronger action against global warming.

Originally due to be held in November 2020, the conference was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

What is “Road to COP26”? Who is involved?

Road to COP26 is a campaign of activities implemented by the British Council and funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Nepal. The campaign provides opportunities for young people, leaders and women / girls to take part in climate change dialogue using creative platforms, highlighting how creativity, innovation and enterprise can be harnessed to help deliver creative solutions to the global challenge of climate change. Activities are delivered by Nepal-UK partnerships brokered through the British Council’s national, UK and international networks of organisations and experts.

Road to COP26’s Innovation Grant Programme explores innovation through the creative sector of crafts. It is jointly delivered by Kathmandu University’s Schools of Arts and School of Engineering, Applied Arts Scotland and Edinburgh Napier University. Additional partners include the National Innovation Center and is supported by the British Council’s global programme Crafting Futures.

 

What type of ideas is appropriate for the Programme? What stage does my idea need to be?

Ideas focused on the circular economy, sustainable material development, those that concern the sustainable use and management of natural resources by applying indigenous knowledge and traditions are encouraged to apply. We are also interested in ideas that can improve existing market opportunities for the craft sector by harnessing the power of digital technologies and light mechanisation.  

Much of climate change action in Nepal is concerned with the economic empowerment of communities and those people who are the first to feel its effects. Economic empowerment allows people to invest in multiple streams of income therefore guaranteeing ‘options’ against unforeseen outcomes.

Development of craft and other vocational skills has been consistently supported by the Nepal Government to enable economic gains for its labour force. There is still a lot of room for experimentation and innovation in craft and related creative sectors that could generate new opportunities, ideas or industries altogether. We are open to any idea that can help deliver positive outcomes for those vulnerable to climate change effects as long as these are grounded in nature-based making traditions and are able to preserve traditional livelihoods, identities, skills and other intangible heritage of national value.

Ideas can be at different stages of development. At the least, we expect applicants to have discovered and defined their ideas against the following indicators:

• People: Whom does the idea concern, benefit and impact? Who is involved in its delivery?
• Planet: What environmental impact will the idea have? how will the idea support climate change resilience? How do the idea and its delivery sustainably manage natural resources? What resources are required for the idea to be delivered? Who is managing these resources currently and how?
• Profit: What is the economic value of the idea? Is the idea based on a market need? Is the idea viable as a product/service?
• Purpose: What larger goals does the idea contribute to? Are there outcomes beyond people, planet and profit that the idea is concerned with?

 

How do I describe what is innovative about my idea?

If your idea bridges an existing gap, reinvents a process to be more strategic/effective, can develop from the learning and knowledge of other sectors/expertise, or negotiates between the different parameters of a business’ performance (people, planet, profit, purpose) to realise a solution, then tell us in your application. Consider why your idea is the most effective, relevant and impactful version of what is possible at this time.

Innovation can be a small part of your larger idea, it can be part of the process or the goal itself. But what it needs to be is sustainable, integrated, inclusive and impactful.

 

What do you mean when you say people, planet, profit and purpose?

The triple-bottom-line of ‘people, planet, profit’ is a framework that assesses the performance of a business across all three areas, and moves beyond business models that focus purely on profit (often at the expense of people and the planet). In recent years, a fourth bottom-line of ‘purpose’ has been suggested that incorporates wider social impacts, including across culture, heritage, spirituality and faith. The Programme aims to highlight the various ways an idea, a business may influence or impact on the environment and society, from a group to a village, nation to a global community. It is now clear that systems that prioritise economic gains over others are unsustainable, and we must turn our attention to formulating new ways of working that value environmental protection, social equity and humanistic value systems in the development of sustainable businesses. 

 

What do you mean by craft?

Definitions of craft tend to vary. For the purposes of this Programme, we define craft as the skillful manipulation of raw materials into objects through the direct, manual application of indigenous and vernacular processes and experience. Craft objects and processes have distinctive values and are procured for their functional, artistic, cultural, religious, educational and/or social value to the domestic or international market. They are often associated with specific places, communities or people. Some craft skills and objects may have been passed on for many generations; others may be more recent responses to changing markets, equipment and skills.

 

What do you mean by climate change and climate change resilience?

Climate change is a critical global challenge faced by humanity. Although Earth’s average temperature has seen fluctuations in the past, this time the change is rapid and has been associated with increasing gas emissions which cause a greenhouse effect within the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming. Global warming in turn leads to climate change, where sea-levels rise, glaciers melt, weather patterns fluctuate more extremely, and natural disasters are more frequent.

Climate change resilience signifies the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to hazardous conditions caused by climate change. There are many ways to strengthen resilience to climate change, from local to global. 

What do you mean by nature-based solutions?

Nature-based solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefitting biodiversity and human well-being.

Do I/we need any academic qualifications to apply?

No. We believe ideas and innovation can originate with anyone, anywhere and be delivered through any discipline, so we welcome applications from anyone.

We are a team/community, can we apply?

Yes. Individuals and teams can apply. Teams can be an institution, company, partnership, group or community. For team applicants, we require a representative(s) to be named on your application and to attend the incubator event. Other options will be provided for teams who are selected to progress their ideas to the grant / mentoring stage.

 

Do I need to commit to the Programme timeline?
Yes, for the incubator event. Applicants should review the Programme timeline and make sure they will be available for the key dates of the incubator event. Only those ideas that have gone through the incubator event will be eligible to apply for the additional support of grants and mentoring. The timing and schedule for mentoring will be tailored to the availability and needs of each grantee. Therefore, when applying please focus on the dates for the incubator event.

 

Is there an opportunity to find out more about the innovation grant programme?
Yes. Kathmandu University, the British Council and Applied Arts Scotland will host an orientation webinar from 4 to 5 PM (Nepal Standard Time) on Friday 22 January 2021 about the Innovation Grant Programme.

To register for the webinar please fill out this form.

 

Can you help me with my application?
We are committed to making the application process as inclusive and accessible as possible. If you have queries or require support with your application, please email cop26@kuart.edu.np and we will endeavour to help.

Please note, you can submit your application through our digital form or as a short video.

Why do you need personal information from me (e.g. age, gender)?
The programme is collecting personal information from applicants for statistical purposes. The information you provide in your application will help us to understand our reach, the effectiveness of our communication and the work we are doing. This information will be aggregated for reporting and you will not be identifiable in any reports. We are committed to data privacy and will not share your personal information outside the project partners without your explicit approval. 

For Programme participants, we may request to use some of your personal information to tell the story of the Innovation Grant Programme. This will be done with your permission only. Personal information will be retained for the duration of the project (until February, 2022). 

 

Why are you encouraging applications from females, young people, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities?
Innovative ideas can come from multiple sources. We want to support ideas that benefit the people most affected by climate change, and believe that we should value their voices and experiences in creating solutions to support climate change resilience. 

We recognise that not everyone has equal access to resources and opportunities, and this means that climate change impacts people differently. For example, women and girls in Nepal are more susceptible to the impacts of climate change because they have been traditionally disenfranchised in terms of land ownership. Similarly, people from marginalised communities and people with disabilities are also vulnerable and require affirmative actions to remove barriers that may be deterring them from equal participation in society. 

We are encouraging young people to apply because climate change is an intergenerational challenge, and because young people will have to live with the effects of climate change for the longest.

For all of these reasons, we are making concentrated efforts to realise a diverse group of participants on the Programme.

 

What about intellectual property? Who owns my / our ideas if we participate in the Innovation Programme?
Participants on the innovation programme are not required to share, transfer or assign their IP with or to organisers or project partners. Those applying to work alongside or with others (e.g. organisations, institutions and communities) should have the required permissions in place in advance of joining the Programme. We will follow World Intellectual Property Organisation’s protection afforded to traditional knowledge for this Programme.

Similarly, placement in the incubator programme does not grant any participant the right to use any IP associated with the Programme partners, organisers and funders. 

 What is the incubator event?
The incubator event is a multi-day event co-delivered by Nepali and UK experts, delivered online with the opportunity for some participants to attend in person if they wish. The programme includes training and mentoring, group and individual activities, the purpose of which is to strengthen the capacity of participants to support the development of their ideas in the direction they wish to take them. We will be working with leaders in business, environment, civil society, social enterprise, craft and related sectors to deliver an exciting opportunity for professional growth.

Up to 50 participants from across Nepal will participate in the incubator event from their respective locations through digital platforms, with a small number (subject to Covid-19 guidance) able to attend in person.

Is there a cost to participating in the Programme?

No, there is no charge to apply for or (if selected) to attend any of the Programme activities. Placement will be made strictly through our Innovation Grant Programme call, application and selection process.

 

Applied Arts Scotland is a membership organisation run by makers for makers giving an authentic, collective and professional voice for the sector and delivering tangible benefits to the professional maker community in Scotland. We nurture the creative heart and soul of making practice, celebrate expertise, and facilitate practical opportunities for creative and professional development.

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We are on the ground in six continents and over 100 countries, bringing international opportunity to life, every day. The programmes we initiate to do this are wide-ranging and cover the Arts, Education & Society, and English & Exams.

The British Council has been active in Nepal since 1959. National arts programmes deliver development outcomes through culture by working with youth, women/girls and other focus groups. Working with national, regional and global products and networks, the British Council in Nepal provides opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to develop creative solutions to global challenges in partnership with UK arts sectors and experts.

Edinburgh Napier University is modern, research-active university  in the heart of Edinburgh with a strong industry focussed teaching and research agenda. Creative Informatics is an ambitious research and development programme based in Edinburgh, which aims to bring the city’s world class creative industries together, providing funding and development opportunities that enable creative individuals and organisations to explore how data can be used to drive ground-breaking new products, businesses and experiences.

Kathmandu University is an autonomous, not-for-profit, self-funding public institution established by an Act of Parliament in December 1991. It is an institution of higher learning dedicated to maintaining the standard of academic excellence in various classical and professional disciplines. The University operates through seven Schools: (i) School of Arts, (ii) School of Education, (iii) School of Engineering, (iv) School of Law, (v) School of Management, (vi) School of Medical Science and (vii) School of Science.

National Innovation Center Nepal a nonprofit sharing organization incorporated on Nov 9th, 2012 is dedicated to develop the culture of research, technology and innovation in Nepal. NIC Nepal provides a unique platform to help retain and foster innovative, talented, and passionate human capital of Nepal and leverage their intellect and creativity in strengthening the country’s social and economic growth through inspired intellect and persistent effort. National Innovation Center believes that every opportunity with great ideas for innovation should get a chance to be heard, supported, encouraged, and empowered. Through this initiative we are committed to create dynamic opportunities to help Nepal become a prosperous nation and to preserve talented Nepali individuals from leaving Nepal for better opportunities abroad.