FINA: Call for applications 2020 Denmark

FINA Call for applications 2020 Denmark

Background

The five French Institutes in the Nordic region (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland) have decided to launch in 2020 a dedicated award: the "French Institute Nordic Award" (FINA).

In line with our shared commitment to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the focus of the first FINA edition in 2020 will be on youth and green innovation.

Each French Institute in the Nordic region will select, with local partners, one or a small team of young professionals committed on green innovation in the field of biodiversity and enable them to travel to Marseille and share their work at the IUCN Congress in June 2020. 

Every four years, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) convenes the IUCN World Conservation Congress which is the world’s largest nature conservation event. It brings together leaders from government, civil society, indigenous peoples’ organizations, business and academia to determine the world’s most pressing environmental and development challenges, and actions to address them. In 2020, France will host the World Conservation Congress in Marseille One nature, one future (11-19 June 2020).

Youth and young professionals will play a leading role in the Congress through the organization of a Youth Forum, with a view to proposing options for the post-2020 biodiversity framework that will be agreed at the CBD Conference of the Parties in China (October 2020).

The 2020 IUCN Congress will cover seven themes: four related to major dimensions of nature (landscapes, water, oceans and climate change), and three cross-cutting issues (governance and rights, finance and economics, and knowledge and innovation).

Key characteristics of a winning application

• The applicants current project should present ideas or solutions in the field of green innovation related to biodiversity protection useful when solving problems or facilitating tasks related to at least one theme of the IUCN Congress.
• The applicants should be involved in a Danish research project, a Danish start-up, teaching or conservation actions (through a Danish association, ONG…) dealing with at least one of the 7 themes of the Congress (see below).
• The applicants should be under 35.

The Prize

The laureate will be sent to Marseille to attend the IUCN Congress during the Youth Summit (16 – 19 June 2020). The amount of the prize will cover the travel, accommodation, meals as well as access to the IUCN Congress of the laureate. The program will include opportunities for the laureate to present his work and enlarge his professional network.

Tentative schedule

• Closure of the application process: by 9 March 2020 (midnight)
• Results: at the latest 3 April 2020
• IUCN Congress: 11-20 June 2020

To apply please send a letter of motivation, a one page description of your project/activity and a CV to French Institute in Denmark, Florence Cordier : [email protected]

Themes for 2020

Managing landscapes for nature and people

• protection of terrestrial landscapes and prevention of land degradation
• agrobiodiversity
• sustainable land use planning
• green, biodiversity-positive, climate-resilient and healthy urban habitats

Conserving freshwater to sustain life

• Freshwater conservation and restoration
• water security and accessibility
• management of the water needs

Restoring ocean health

• Pollution treatment (notably plastics and chemicals)
• Preserving biodiversity
• Preserving and protecting polar ecosystems

Accelerating climate change mitigation and adaptation

• Raising awareness of climate change impacts
• nature-based climate mitigation and adaptation solutions (natural carbon sinks and reservoirs)
• Reducing the impacts of environmental hazards (extreme weather events, floods, etc.)

Upholding rights, ensuring effective and equitable governance

• improve engagement and representation of women, youth, indigenous people and other under represented groups in all governance-related issues
• implementation of inclusive decision-making, as well as respect for cultural values and traditional knowledge.
• new principles and instruments in international environmental law

Leveraging economic and financial systems for sustainability

Advancing knowledge, learning, innovation and technology

The 7 themes of the Congress are detailed in this document : https://www.iucncongress2020.org/sites/www.iucncongress2020.org/files/iucn_staff/pages/iucn_world_conservation_congress_2020_themes_for_cpc_assent_-_final_-_25_april_2019.pdf