The fund aims to empower early-stage social innovation projects with a focus on environmental sustainability and social equity. Based initially in British Columbia with aspirations to expand globally, especially to support endeavors in developing countries facing the challenges of authoritarian regimes and environmental degradation. Our support is designed to help projects navigate the challenging journey from idea to launch, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed during these critical first months.

Beyond financial grants, the fund offers a comprehensive support system, including mentoring from experienced innovators, networking opportunities within and beyond the local community, and access to a variety of resources and tools. By fostering a nurturing environment for innovation, we aim to generate impactful solutions that address some of the most pressing social and environmental issues of our time, starting with our own community in British Columbia and eventually making a global impact.

The EarthNet Social Innovation Catalyst Fund offers conditional loans to early-stage projects focusing on environmental sustainability and social equity. These loans are uniquely structured to support projects from the ideation phase to their initial launch, without immediate repayment obligations. Instead, repayment is triggered when these projects secure future funding rounds, with an added fee of up to 10% of the amount raised in those rounds. This approach allows for the flexibility and breathing room necessary for innovative ideas to mature and flourish, while also ensuring the fund can reinvest in new initiatives once the supported projects achieve financial milestones.

The EarthNet Social Innovation Catalyst Fund aims to empower new independent social entrepreneurs who have not previously led community projects, with a special focus on environmental sustainability and social equity. We are committed to supporting initiatives that demonstrate innovative solutions to pressing global challenges, starting within British Columbia and expanding our reach to vulnerable regions worldwide.

Our support extends beyond financial grants, encompassing comprehensive mentorship from seasoned innovators, access to a vast network of peers and professionals, and a wealth of educational resources tailored for individuals new to social action. We encourage project themes spanning a diverse range of issues, from sustainable community practices and reducing waste to tackling local social and environmental challenges.

We place a high value on projects that utilize innovative methods and technologies, promote scalable solutions, and demonstrate potential for significant social and environmental impact. Our goal is not only to launch successful projects but to foster a thriving ecosystem of social entrepreneurs committed to driving positive change, thereby achieving long-term improvements in environmental sustainability and social equity.

Vision:

To create a world where the barriers to initiating community-level social action are virtually eliminated, enabling anyone to swiftly transform their innovative ideas into actionable projects within an hour and secure initial funding almost immediately. Our ultimate aim is to launch 10 million impactful social action projects by 2030, fostering a global movement of environmental sustainability and social equity.

Mission:

The EarthNet Social Innovation Catalyst Fund is dedicated to making this vision a reality through:

1. Ease of Access: Providing a user-friendly online platform that simplifies the process of creating, submitting, and developing social innovation projects.
2. Financial Empowerment: Offering initial financial grants designed to kickstart new projects, with a flexible funding approach to support ideas at different development stages.
3. Mentorship and Learning: Connecting project initiators with experienced mentors and offering a rich array of educational resources to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed for success.
4. Building a Supportive Community: Cultivating a worldwide network of social innovators to facilitate resource sharing, collaboration, and mutual support, alongside organizing regular networking and educational events.
5. Scalability and Global Impact: Prioritizing projects with the potential for significant social and environmental impacts that can be scaled and replicated across different contexts, especially in vulnerable regions.
6. Inclusivity: Ensuring targeted support for underrepresented and marginalized innovators, particularly from communities directly impacted by environmental and social challenges, including in regions with restricted freedoms and resources.

funding@earthnet.org