The call for the 2022-2023 cohort has closed.
Do you have an idea for systemically addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues? Do you need funding and support to test out your idea in practice?
The Systems Innovation Learning Partnership (SILP) is launching a call for ideas for its Experimentation Fund to support experiments advancing knowledge and understanding of systems innovation practices, methodologies, and approaches. We are especially looking for applied experiments in the field of development cooperation, focusing on:
- the needs of those living in poverty
- tackling issues related to environment and climate change (adaptation and mitigation),
- human rights,
- conflict,
- gender equality
- and disadvantaged communities.
What it is
The fund aims to advance knowledge of the potential applications and limitations of systems innovation practices and approaches. We do this by funding and supporting the learning journeys of systems innovation experiments. Within the focus areas outlined above, we do not limit the range of systems that the experiments might address, or potential points of leverage, but look for the potential to learn about applicable methods and processes for systems innovation.
This is why we are particularly interested in supporting experiments that combine ideas that have never been tried before and their application in novel contexts.
SILP
SILP is an initiative by EIT Climate-KIC and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The partnership brings together organisations and people working to tackle complex issues to collaborate, experiment, learn, and share ideas that help to activate innovation across whole systems. Our activities aim to not only share tools and methods that have had success in enabling systemic change, but to shift mindsets and support people to transform the way we address the world’s most pressing issues.
Selection and grant size
Applicants will have the opportunity to access funding up to 100,000 Euros and will be supported to test their ideas in a learn-by-doing approach, providing a safe-to-fail context so that learning can be captured quickly and effectively.
The selection of ideas and experiments will follow a two-stage grant making process in which a diverse set of organisations and people passionate about the fund’s objectives will co-design and participate in forming the cohort.
Stage 1
At this stage of the call we are looking for ideas for possible systems experiments. Following the closure of Stage 1 on the Dec 7 2022 – a shortlist of submitted ideas will be selected to continue from Stage 1 to Stage 2: Experiment Design, via an invitation to submit a grant application.
Stage 2
Successful ideas invited to Stage 2 will be offered microgrants of up to 2,000 EUR to support the development of the experiment proposals in the core of the final grant applications. More details will be provided at the initiation of Stage 2.
The final group of experiments to be funded will be chosen as a cohort, taking a portfolio approach to the selection to ensure the cohort’s diversity and that projects compliment each other to allow rich learning to happen. For more information, please read FAQs page 2.
Learning opportunity
To accelerate learning around systems innovation, the fund offers a bespoke learning programme for co-learning and reflection for participants, beyond just receiving funding. The learning programme is designed to use the strengths of the cohort’s diversity, whether that’s the focus of each project, the context in which they are being applied or the organisations delivering them. This way, we can encourage and support knowledge sharing, peer coaching, and building the experimenters’ capacity and capabilities in the practice of leading systemic change.
Participation in the learning programme is expected from all grant recipients.
The commitment involves:
- 3x 1-2 day long online workshops in April 2023, September 2023 and January 2024;
- 2x 2/3 hour long community events in June and November 2023;
- And 4x 1 hour long meetings throughout the year in smaller peer learning groups (as outlined in the illustration below).
The learning journey is designed with support by Centre For Public Impact in adopting a Human Learning Systems approach.
Who can apply
We are looking for applicants from nongovernmental organisations, civil society organisations, small and medium enterprises, research labs or incubators, regions and cities, or educational institutions (schools, vocational training institutes, higher education institutions) based and/or working in ODA countries. For more information, please see Eligibility and Assessment Criteria overview.
However, other actors in these countries are not discouraged from applying.
Eligibility of prospective grant recipients will be determined at Stage 1. Upon selection, Stage 2, a more complete due diligence process will occur prior to the issuance of any grant award for signature.
In summary, applicants should ensure that they:
- are made up of legal entities that are entitled to hold rights and obligations towards EIT Climate-KIC;
- are not listed in the EU Consolidated List of Sanctions;
- are not based in a country in the EU consolidated List of Sanctions
- are in good financial standing and can provide necessary documentation to support this.
More information on due diligence for applicants can be found on page 2 of the Eligibility and Assessment Criteria overview.
Timeline
- Call for Ideas open (Stage 1)
- Call for Ideas opens: 12 October 2022
- Information session: 26 October 2022 12:00 PM in Universal Time UTC– watch back here.
- Information session: 16 November 2022, 12:00 PM in Universal Time UTC–watch back here.
- Call for Ideas closed: 17.00 UTC, 7 Dec 2022
- Invitation to submit grant application (Stage 2)
- Open: 10 February 2023 – selected ideas will receive an invitation to submit full experiment proposal and grant application (Stage 2), and the opportunity to access a microgrant to support the development of their proposal.
- Closed: Early April- invited applicants submit proposals and grant applications – deadline will be confirmed in the invitation letter.
- Mid April 2023 – anticipated Stage 2 outcomes and decision communication
- Guidelines for partners seeking financial support 2022-2023
- Late April 2023 – Experimentation cohort kick-off