India’s growing population has placed immense pressure on agricultural lands, resulting in nearly 40 percent of India’s land being degraded, with 3.7 million hectares suffering from the depletion of soil organic matter and nutrients. Also, the access to subsidised but still expensive synthetic fertiliser is challenging for many smallholder farmers. Therefore, the use of agro-chemical alternatives has gained traction to support sustainable agriculture.  Biochar (in combination with biological fertiliser) improves soil fertility, water retention, neutralises acidity in soils and acts as a long-term carbon sink. However, the very limited number of businesses currently engaged in market-oriented biochar production is partly a consequence of technological and infrastructural limitations. To support market expansion, community bioresource enterprises have been established in six districts of Maharashtra/India. The goal is to promote the use of biochar among small-scale and female farmers through a sustainable business model.

This solution is part of the Sparsa Solution, a Nepali non-profit company that locally produces and distributes compostable menstrual pads featuring an absorbent core made from banana fibre.

To strengthen global replication of fibre-based pad manufacturing, a community-building approach was developed to connect practitioners, innovators, small manufacturers and researchers working with natural fibres. The process began with continuous ecosystem mapping and grew through honest, trust-based relationship building supported by regular interactions, especially on LinkedIn. Co-creation spaces—online workshops, stakeholder meetings, technical calls and real-time learning loops—allowed actors to exchange practical insights and refine approaches together. A flexible, distributed infrastructure combining PANORAMA with informal communication channels helps sustain the community and keeps the production model adaptive, accessible, and grounded in real-world experience.

The HandyHeroes Project leverages the idea of “small repairs, big impact” through three key innovations: activating community-based talent (technician training), integrating community service with market mechanisms, and standardizing carbon reduction. These innovations address challenges such as service shortages in older residential communities, the lack of transparency in market-based repair services, and difficulties in managing household products without warranties. Currently, the HandyHeroes project provides services to over 450 residential communities across eight main districts of Xi’an, China. The model has also been adopted in 10 cities covering 100 communities nationwide, creating a low-cost, low-barrier, and sustainable approach to community micro-renewal and senior services. The Project’s achievement is reflected not only in carbon reduction metrics and tangible improvements to neighborhoods but also in raising public awareness that “repairing products is a form of environmental protection.”

This solution addresses snorkeler impacts and dissatisfaction in the Mombasa Marine Park and Reserve (MMPR). James Cook University (JCU) and CORDIO delivered interpretive training to the snorkel industry to encourage pro-environmental snorkel behavior, enhance visitor experience and build sustainability. A major output was the creation of a code of conduct created by members of the snorkel industry. Results included more pro-environmental snorkel behaviors and enhanced visitor experience.

The solution targets threats to coral reefs related to scuba diving, one of the fastest growing tourism industries. Its best practice guidelines promote commercial sustainability and a contribution to increase coral reef resilience. Members are equipped with the necessary information, tools and training to mitigate threats, implement sustainable practices and promote environmental education and awareness amongst the dive industry and local communities and limit their impact on the environment.

The solution addresses poor waste management in Pangani District, Tanzania for a coastal community at one pilot site. Creative and participatory outreach tools were used to raise awareness of the importance of waste management, to initiate dialogue among citizens and village leaders, and to mobilize people into action. Citizens and leaders subsequently applied their new knowledge to formulate local waste management bylaws, providing a sustainable, legal framework for improved waste management.

Local, indigenous food typical for an area often proves more nutritious than store-bought imported varieties. Through shorter supply chains, the sale of these food items also benefit local farmers. However, such foods are often woefully underutilized.

Puffing or popping can help make certain local foods more attractive as snacks – providing healthy alternatives to imported fast food and sustainably using biodiversity, while boosting local incomes. Use of this technology encourages consumption of underutilized locally available cereals and legumes through value addition.

With over one-third of the planet’s land used for agriculture—and over one-quarter used for livestock grazing—farms and ranches offer both a great threat and a tremendous opportunity for wildlife conservation. Applying strategies to protect key species on agricultural lands is critical to the viability of wildlife populations, especially as open space diminishes and once-remote areas become accessible. By offering scientifically-sound, measurable standards to agricultural producers round the world, Certified Wildlife Friendly™ celebrates farm-level wildlife stewardship. Through this approach, the Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network (WFEN) works to support both communities and wildlife alike by creating incentives for sound ecological management of farm and ranch lands around the world.

Developed by involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders, Denmark’s Organic Action Plan is a holistic strategy that increases, on the one hand, the overall demand for organic products and, on the other hand, stimulates research and product innovation. Supported by substantial dedicated funding, the Plan produced very clear positive outcomes: Today Denmark has the highest market share of organic products in the world, with almost 80 percent of Danes purchasing organic food. Also thanks to high demand, the Plan has amply met its original target of doubling organic farm land compared to a 2007 baseline. For its achievements, Denmark’s Organic Action Plan (2011-2020) was recognized with the Future Policy Silver Award 2018, awarded by the World Future Council in partnership with the FAO and IFOAM – Organics International.

Amazon indigenous communities have for generations integrated farms and forest to produce an extraordinary diversity of foods, but market and cultural forces are eroding these well-honed systems.

A burgeoning Latin American food movement is creating new opportunities. Relationships between rainforest communities and chefs can help incubate new enterprises and showcase the Amazon, through delicious food, to new audiences and allies.

Canopy Bridge works with a group of more than 25 chefs from Ecuador´s best restaurants, indigenous communities and conservation NGOs to develop value chains for Amazon fresh foods (aquaculture paiche- Arapaima gigas– from Ai-Kofán and products grown by the Kichwa people in highly diversified chakra production units) that have substantial conservation benefits and great culinary potential. Through the establishment of a distribution chain from the Amazon to Quito, these products are now reaching specialty food markets and restaurants on a weekly basis. 

Adopted first by the City of Los Angeles in 2012, the Good Food Purchasing Programme achieved that in L.A. institutions, which serve about 750,000 meals a day, children get more local, sustainable, fair and humanely produced food to eat. The Programme has set off a nationwide movement and inspired the creation of the Center for Good Food Purchasing, which is now promoting the programme across the United States. By now 27 public institutions in 14 U.S. cities are enrolled. Due to its impressive achievements and fast roll-out thoughout the country,  the Good Food Purchasing Program was recognized with an Honourable Mention of the 2018 Future Policy Award, awarded by the World Future Council in partnership with FAO and IFOAM – Organics International.

Soil for Life is a non-profit actively involved in teaching people from under-resourced communities in the Western Cape how to grow food using ecologically friendly methods. Since September 2000, we have gained a genuine understanding of the people that we work with, their environments, challenges, constraints, cultures and beliefs. We have used this knowledge to adapt our programmes to ensure that beneficiaries achieve the best possible outcomes.

Trainees are taught how to grow food using natural, water-wise farming techniques and how to identify and use the waste around them in their gardens. They learn practices such as composting, trenching, mulching, sheet mulching, close planting, drip irrigation and water harvesting to conserve water and soil nutrients.

To maximise impact, we provide trainees with ongoing support for up to four years. We also provide support and mentorship to gardeners who wish to develop small home businesses that generate income through the sale of produce, seeds, seedlings and compost.