Design to Deliver: Informed choices for nature positive actions

The lead organisation must be a UK-registered SME.

Technologies submitted must be of TRL (Technology Readiness Level) 5 or above, with demonstrable alignment to your chosen challenge, and you must be able to test and or trial in locations across the UK.

The lead organisation must have the capacity and resources to deliver in the assigned period – January to March 2025.

Some travel to meetings and events may be required; if you require reasonable adjustments this will be supported.

The challenge asks SMEs to consider how they can develop a solution leveraging existing data, to help citizens be better informed to make nature-conscious decisions.

There is a lot of data driven research available on ​climate change, but actioning change is slow. Most of this data is targeted towards governments and businesses. The data is not readily accessible as it is jargon-heavy and is often presented in dense reports, making it hard for the wider public to access ​and understand it.

Solutions could include, but are not limited to:​

• A tool, platform or immersive experience that visualises the processes involved in making and bringing to market food, products or items of clothing and the impact of these processes on nature and provide information on alternative choices which have a lower-impact on the planet.​
• A wearable or online community platform that suggests activities for ways to get back out into nature and the benefits of each activity on personal wellbeing and the environment.​

Location partners will give the successful SMEs on Design to Deliver access to communities and places where they can consider the practical implementation of their solution. The location partner for this challenge is Knowle West, Bristol.

Knowle West is a neighbourhood Living Lab addressing the climate and ecological emergency through collaboration with residents, data, and new technologies.
Led by place-based partners Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC), WeCanMake, and We Are More, the initiative focuses on co-designing solutions with the community to reimagine how nature-based solutions can be integrated into the adaptation of homes and streets to better meet changing needs; and shifting behaviour from consumer to citizen models in areas such as pesticide reduction, and sustainable purchasing.

• Secure up to £50,000 to accelerate your solution’s development and design in a 3-month programme
• Work with a design consultancy who will champion design and help you embed it in your strategy
• Collaborate with a dedicated location partner to develop and test your solution in a real-world environment
• Receive support in advancing the development of your solution and gain opportunities to showcase your innovation
• Access sector-specific and technical support from the experienced Catapult team

On Wednesday 25 September at 10am the Catapults will host an application support webinar. This will offer an overview of the programme, the funding process and give all SMEs the chance to ask any questions. Click here to register for a webinar place.

There are additional virtual support sessions available that will focus in more detail on each challenge. The Digital Catapult drop-in session will be held on Thursday 10 October at 10am. Click here to register for the drop-in sessions.

If you have any questions about the programme and application, please contact Francesca Pheasant, Senior Service Designer, on design2deliver@cp.catapult.org.uk.