The Challenge

Human society is currently developing faster than at any other time in its history and is constantly being challenged by the scale and consequences of social, economic and environmental change. Addressing these challenges in a way that ensures quality of life for both present and future generations requires new visions and new approaches.

Innovation is a key ingredient in responding to and adapting to changes that result from an ever more complex world characterized by increasing human demands and a limited resources base.

IUCN has a particular role and responsibility to “encourage, influence and assist societies” in meeting the challenge of sustainable development. IUCN’s forward-looking and innovative work needs to be continuously supported to ensure that we provide solutions for the problems of tomorrow, and to integrate these solutions into IUCN’s programmatic work.

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IUCN's Response

IUCN's Innovation Fund provides a positive incentive system to help IUCN Secretariat and Commissions to adapt to a changing world and guide the course of future work. The Innovation Fund supports two kinds of projects: 3I-C projects and Leverage Initiatives.

The Key differences between 3I-C projects and Leverage Initiatives are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 - Key Differences Between 3I-C Projects and Leverage Initiatives  

 In broad terms Figure 1 shows how the elements of the Innovation Fund help develop IUCN’s Programme. Since 2001 IUCN has been trying to strengthen its core business and develop new programme areas and engage with new partners. 3I-C provides a mechanism for exploring highly innovative issues and taking controlled risk with new issues and new partners. LI’s use the Union’s strengths to influence conservation and development policy and practice in areas that have been outside IUCN’s traditional area of work in a more concerted way and thus “pull” the programme in a new direction.

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