WWF Switzerland’s ‘Tropical Forest Challenge’ is now open for applications!

June 6, 2012 - PRLog -- WWF Switzerland’s ‘Tropical Forest Challenge’ is now open for applications!

Vienna, Austria –1 June, 2012: Applications are now open for WWF Switzerland’s ‘Tropical Forest Challenge’ – a new global initiative in search of the best for-profit enterprises realizing a positive impact on tropical forest biodiversity.

This exciting Challenge will span 75 countries across Latin America, Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa and will be open for applications from June 1 to Sept 30, 2012. WWF Switzerland’s ‘Tropical Forest Challenge’ is managed by Ennovent, a company that accelerates innovations creating a sustainable impact on low income people.

Although tropical forests cover only 6% of the earth's land surface (less than half the area they covered not so very long ago), they play a critical role in many ways such as maintaining biological diversity and regulating the global climate. They also provide resources such as food, medicinal plants, rubber and other products to local communities and mankind in general. Despite their importance, tropical forests are perhaps the globe’s most threatened ecosystems; around 140,000 sq km of forest is destroyed annually due to operations within the logging, oil, mining, electricity and large-scale agriculture industries.

WWF is committed to conserving the world's rainforests, not only for the incredible wealth of plants and animals that live in them, but for the benefit of people. Businesses with innovative products or services conserving tropical forest biodiversity are well placed to have a lasting positive impact, and compliment the valuable work of existing NGOs and governments.

Matthias Diemer of WWF Switzerland quotes “Supporting business ideas bolstering the conservation of tropical forest biodiversity is an innovative approach complementing existing conservation tools. WWF Switzerland stands to test this idea by launching the WWF Switzerland Tropical Forest Challenge.”

Enterprises across three growth stages are invited to apply: Idea (concept note), Startup (proof-of-concept) and Company (break-even). Among other criteria, the winner in each category will be selected based on its impact on biodiversity, its potential to scale locally, regionally or globally and the overall commercial viability of the enterprise.

The winners in each category (idea, startup and company) will receive global visibility (through WWF & Ennovent networks), networking opportunities and capacity building. Each successful nomination will get a EUR 1,000 cash reward and global visibility!

To apply for the WWF Switzerland’s Tropical Rainforest Challenge click here.

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About WWF Switzerland
WWF Switzerland’s mission is to stop the global destruction of the environment and build a future in which humans live in harmony with each other and nature. To achieve this mission, the WWF is committed to maintain the global biodiversity. The WWF is committed to reducing the use of natural resources on a sustainable level.  www.wwf.ch/de

About Ennovent
Ennovent accelerates innovations creating a sustainable impact on low-income people. We work with a global network of entrepreneurs, investors and experts to discover, finance and scale up the best innovations. We envision sustainable living for people at the base of the economic pyramid. www.ennovent.com


Media Contact:
Archana Verma
Challenge Manager - Ennovent
Mobile: +91 7353740843