Our planet is undergoing rapid change. The environment is changing dramatically, both locally and globally, due to climate warming. At the same time, the tone of public discussion is growing increasingly extreme. The theme of the forthcoming Tiina and Antti Herlin Foundation call for applications is Climate, Change, and it takes a broad approach to the changes, inviting applicants from every field to participate.
We believe that research can make a difference! We also think that research data should be incorporated in all public discussion and decision-making more extensively and seamlessly. In addition to scientific research, active citizens and open, well-argued dialogue are forces that will help discover solutions to both the most alarming climate matters and other problems affecting society.
The Tiina and Antti Herlin Foundation seeks to support these forces and solutions in its call for grant applications that will open in November 2015. The work and projects that will receive funding in this thematic application cycle on Climate, Change may address, for example, the following topics:
Sustainability. The great majority of the scientific community has, for a long time already, agreed that climate warming is largely caused by human actions. Despite this, political and financial measures have been slow and ineffective. We hope to support work and projects that will promote incorporating solutions that will prevent and delay climate change into decision-making, public discussion and practice. In addition to climate change, other topics invited to submit applications in include those addressing threats to ecosystems and sustainable ways of living.
Dialogue. Society needs more public dialogue that is open and solution-oriented. Features of discussion include providing reasons for one’s opinions, analytical consideration of different views and the attempt to understand the other person’s message and point of view. Discussion culture can be developed by more extensive sharing of research data and actively offering it to be utilized.
Civic skills. An individual’s chances of making a difference in matters in his or her immediate surroundings are the building blocks of well-being. In the thematic application cycle, the intention is to grant funding for projects that promote everyday life skills, equality and responsibility for the environment or provide people with the tools they need to be actively involved in their own environment.
Environmental education and awareness. The foundations for appreciating nature and understanding of oneself as a part of the surrounding ecosystems are laid in childhood. We seek to support projects that aim at increasing environmental awareness in all groups of people.
Applications corresponding to the theme are accepted from all fields of study and all fields related to culture and well-being in society. The application cycle will be open 1-30 November 2015; the Application Instructions will be posted on the website of the Foundation prior to the opening of the application cycle.
