Three innovative organisations from Botswana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe have been selected as finalists in the Wilderness Impact Challenge 2026, an initiative that identifies practical solutions to strengthen Africa’s conservation economy.
Now in its second year, the challenge seeks scalable ideas that create lasting benefits for people, wildlife and the ecosystems that connect them.
Guided by Wilderness’ Empower Impact pillar, the initiative focuses on making conservation economically viable, community-driven and resilient for people living alongside Africa’s wild landscapes.
According to Wilderness, more than 80 applications were received from around the world, highlighting a diverse range of solutions developed by entrepreneurs, conservationists, engineers and community leaders.
The company said the finalists were selected for their ability to combine conservation with enterprise, creating models in which protecting nature also improves local livelihoods.
“The calibre of entries this year was truly exceptional,” said Charles Douglas, Chairman of the Wilderness Trust. “We were encouraged not only by the creativity and quality of the ideas submitted, but by the commitment to building conservation economies that deliver lasting value for both people and nature.”
The three finalists represent different approaches to addressing some of Africa’s most pressing conservation challenges.
From Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Ele-Collection is tackling plastic pollution while creating employment opportunities through a women-led recycling initiative.
The organisation collects plastic waste from conservation-sensitive areas and transforms it into eco-aggregate used in the construction industry. Through this circular economy approach, the project removes waste from natural areas, generates income for local communities and supports more sustainable resource use.
In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, CLAWS (Communities Living Among Wildlife Sustainably) is working with local cattle farmers to reduce human-wildlife conflict and develop Africa’s first Certified Wildlife Friendly beef supply chain. By improving traditional livestock management practices and connecting farmers to premium markets, the initiative creates financial incentives for coexistence between communities and predators such as lions.
The project aims to demonstrate that wildlife protection can become an economically attractive choice for rural communities by improving livelihoods while supporting healthier ecosystems.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s Wild Survivors is addressing human-elephant conflict in the Serengeti ecosystem by developing women-led enterprise hubs focused on coexistence. The initiative combines beekeeping, regenerative agriculture and locally produced honey and organic products to create sustainable income opportunities.
By linking community enterprises with tourism operators and conservation-friendly markets, Wild Survivors is helping transform wildlife protection into a source of economic empowerment for communities living near protected areas.
Douglas said the finalists shared a common vision: that conservation and community development should reinforce each other rather than compete.
“What stood out about these finalists is that, although they address different conservation challenges, they all arrive at the same conclusion: conservation efforts can be enhanced where they create meaningful economic opportunity in surrounding communities,” he said.
The winning initiative will be announced at the end of August 2026 and will receive financial support valued at US$100 000, along with strategic guidance from the Wilderness Trust to help expand its impact.
The Wilderness Impact Challenge was launched in 2025, with the inaugural award recognising Wild Entrust Africa’s BioBoundary Project, a non-lethal, scent-based predator deterrent system that helps farmers protect livestock while promoting coexistence with predators, including hyenas and leopards.
Through supporting innovative, locally driven solutions, the challenge continues to highlight the role of communities as key partners in securing Africa’s conservation future.
