At the heart of our vision lies the commitment to drive groundbreaking and inclusive advancements in technology, methodologies, services, and social enterprises, all geared towards enhancing the well-being of individuals and the planet. Our strategy entails the careful selection of pioneering solutions, primarily channelled through the Palladium Challenge Fund.
Throughout this process, we prioritize the incorporation of local community perspectives and the adoption of innovative technologies with a strong emphasis on gender, disability, and social inclusivity. The fund plays a crucial role in supporting our partners as they embark on piloting novel technologies and inventive models and methodologies, thereby reducing the risks associated with launching innovative ventures. In 2022, the Challenge Fund doubled its impact by calling for proposals across two different themes.
Measuring the value of nature
Under this theme, we are currently partnering on three projects that aim to develop tools and programs for measuring and managing nature-based solution initiatives.
FarmTree is actively piloting and testing their FarmTree Tool within the Ethiopian coffee system. This tool integrates functionality for tracking carbon and biodiversity credits and certification, which will substantially enhance agroforestry planning and management for up to 12,000 coffee farming households.
Space4Good is developing the ‘Carbometrica’ Measurement, Reporting & Verification (MRV) tool for remote-sensing biomass and carbon assessment of agroforestry and afforestation projects. The funding will facilitate the creation of a new AI and machine learning algorithm for the Southeast Asia ecoregion.
Treeconomy is focused on creating an AI machine- learning tool for tree detection and measurement in mixed UK woodlands. This initiative will yield cost savings, increase the speed and accuracy of forest surveys and carbon calculations, enhance the rigor and trustworthiness of reforestation projects’ impact assessment, lower entry barriers for rural landowners and farmers, and offer broad applicability on a global scale.
Jobs for refugees
Under this theme, three projects have been selected with the goal of creating more inclusive solutions for refugees and internally displaced people to secure sustainable employment.
LiMA Farm, a social enterprise of Lira-Magoya Investments in Uganda, is empowering refugees from South Sudan by providing training, employment through cassava farming opportunities. This initiative includes funding for training, seed distribution, and expanding cassava processing. It demonstrates the impact of a processing facility, adapts to climate change with resilient cassava varieties, and develops markets for tractor services and seed sales. Local community mobilization is central, establishing ten farmer groups—80% refugees, 20% host community members. These groups receive comprehensive support, including land access negotiations, tractor services, quality cassava seeds, and expert agronomist guidance, promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
Inception meeting with refugees and host community group leaders at the Palabek Refugee Settlement.
Photo credit: LiMA Farm.
CONCAT Tech is dedicated to training and placing female Palestinian refugees in the tech industry. This project seeks to enhance the digital and soft skills of female Palestinian refugees, promote their proficiency in digital technologies, and raise awareness of CONCAT digital services for companies looking to support marginalized populations through web development expenditures.
Incluyeme.com is partnered with Kyeema and collaborating with the National Technological University of Argentina, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and 600 employers to provide training and job placement opportunities for Latin American refugees in well-paying positions. This project is designed to build local capacity and foster relationships among the university, AWS, the private sector, and refugee-serving groups. It aims to equip marginalized populations with the skills needed for careers in the rapidly growing digital fields.
