Hej @HeinrichS ! Thank you so much for your elaborate and very useful reply!

Let's start with the last paragraph, we are indeed planning to come up with resource pages with lists of databases ( this one is in the making and will soon appear ), grant-writing courses, consultant-influencers blogs/medium/linkedin, and project planning courses. Please do let us what else would find handy.

I'm not sure where one would find training opportunities, other than learning by applying, but maybe others can correct me here.

We are also planning to launch a webinar series. That has not yet crystalized out, but your suggestions of funding approaches, case studies and 'existing market trends' in funding are very welcome! We're currently considering some form of review event where people can pitch their proposals and get feedback from peers and/or (other) experts.

Please do join the Funding and Finance group to keep updated! Go here and click the orange button right under the introduction.

If you're in a hurry and want feedback on particular ideas, feel free to just ask what WILDLABS members think of them. Who knows what people will come up with and perhaps you find collaborators. Do make sure to select the most appropriate group(s).

Hej Kevin,

Thank you for the great additions! Good questions for us to work with!

Preliminary answers, but really shooting from the hip since I am not familiar with the finance side:

1 ) I know that big, I guess normally government-run, projects can get loans at their country's or region's development bank. How are they structure? No clue.

2) I would assume too. Maybe browsing around in the Restor database might give some insight? It's listed in the funding and finance databases page https://wildlabs.net/article/what-funding-or-finance-databases-exist-0

3) Tax deduction is one for sure. Another is 'reporting' in various ways, including sometimes videos to show on the funders website, so the funder can show how well their money is spent. Newsletters to individual smaller donors can work in a similar way. I'm sure there is more to say, so maybe we can make a question for a webinar, or even just a discussion in this group.

thank you for your suggestions, Vance!

I'm afraid, that for the time being we won't be in a position to automate things, but who knows there's money available for it sometime. We do hope to create connections through this discussion group though. I assume that you're familiar with crowdfunding. But if so, then that is not what you are after with your wish, right? How would what you are looking for differ from a crowdfunding platform?

Your second wish seems like a good topic for at least one webinar. You mention 'realistically' which seems to suggest you have ideas or experiences with unrealistic discussions. If so, then I would love to pick your brain one day if that's alright with you.

cheers

Frank

Hi Frank,

I get that it might not be possible (yet). But I was hoping for something more specific than crowdfunding and meant to connect implementers with funders--kind of like a Tinder marketplace for conservation projects! Sounds good on the second and happy to connect any time. I have a book coming out on conservation finance sometime this autumn and could connect some of the authors to any future talks/webinars.

Best,

Vance

Hej Vance,

You have a book coming out on conservation finance?! Jaw drop. Sign me up for a copy, please! 

Thank you for your kind offer to connect some of the authors to talks and webinars!

On the marketplace, like I said, we do want to bring funders to this group as well and really make this a meeting place, where discussion can take place and collaborations may bloom. We are thinking about how to get this done, and a Tinder-like market place sure sounds like a good spark for discussion.

cheers

Frank

Sounds good. I'll be sure to sign you up (it will be free/open source) and announce on Wildlabs when it's published.

Thank you for your suggestions, Heinrich!

Do you already have any experience with any of these three?