From over 250 global submissions, we proudly present a shortlist of multi-stakeholder consortia, each ready to pilot this transformative model. These Missions will integrate diverse expertise, skills, and resources to co-design solutions, learning as they go and adapting in real time.
Pilot Missions that have received initial funding to commence the co-design process and require additional resources to achieve full implementation and impact.
⭐ Transformative science for biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods in Amazonia
About the mission
The ongoing decline of tropical forests and wildlife threatens food security for millions who rely on bushmeat and fish for protein. Converting forests into cattle pastures and commodity production erodes ecosystem services, increases greenhouse gas emissions, and concentrates wealth among large landholders, harming rural communities. This biodiversity crisis, coupled with rural poverty and inequality, has hindered local communities from pursuing sustainable development aligned with conservation. Additionally, the Brazilian government’s neglect of Amazonian communities has offered limited access to education, healthcare, and income opportunities. Instituto Juruá aims to empower over 100 local communities and 30,000 people by combining evidence-based science, capacity building, and bioeconomy-based value chains. This pilot Mission, informed by 18 years of frontline experience, will promote sustainable natural resource management and foster innovation. By documenting successful strategies, we can replicate this model across other communities, supporting long-term transdisciplinary approaches to empower traditional populations towards a brighter future in Amazonia, and disclose indigenous knowledge beyond the Amazonian communities.
Country from which the pilot science mission will be coordinated
Brazil
Geographical scope of the pilot science mission
The pilot mission targets the Amazonian Juruá river basin and can be rolled out to other Amazonian riverine and relevant communities worldwide.
Consortium composition
- Instituto Juruá
- Frontiers Research Foundation
- UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub
- GeSI
- University College London – Artista Institute
- Dark Matter Labs
- Global Covenant of Mayors
- ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability
- Swissnex in Brazil
- LIFES
- Senscience
⭐ Meta-network hub for sustainability in Asia (Meta Hub Asia)
About the mission
The Meta-Network Hub Asia (Meta Hub) science mission seeks to improve functional outcomes in socio-ecological systems that support ecological integrity, social equity, and resilience in Asian hotspots where critical SDGs related to water, climate change, biodiversity, and ecosystem health are falling behind. The Meta Hub will be established as a transdisciplinary collaborative space for multiscale knowledge co-production, action-oriented knowledge synthesis, and application. The Meta Hub will facilitate codesign processes with key stakeholders to develop transdisciplinary demonstration projects at select sites to accelerate actions on critical SDGs. Using an innovative combination of science and digital technology will help transcend current science approaches by integrating fragmentary and diverse sources of knowledge from different levels (local, regional, global) and sectors. Leveraging interconnected networks of experts, stakeholders, institutions, technologies and data sources to produce transdisciplinary insights and advance science-driven solutions that reflect the needs and values of diverse Asian communities.
Workshops as part of a “co-design the co-design process” have been organised to establish a robust, structural and conceptual foundation and blueprint for the science mission. This includes an action plan, science mission infrastructure, and consensus on the co-design framework to be applied over the next 12-18 months.
Country from which the pilot science mission will be coordinated
The Pilot Science Mission “Meta-network Hub” will be jointly operated by the Future Earth Asia consortium and its partners, with collaborators from Japan, Australia, Korea, Mongolia, the Philippines, Taipei, India, Thailand, and other countries to be decided soon as part of the codesign process.
Geographical scope of the pilot science mission
The work of the Science Mission will connect different regional scales- (Asia), sub-regional (South Asia, East Asia), and national/local scales (any of Future Earth’s national committees can host potential pilot sites).
Consortium composition
- Future Earth
- Future Earth Asia Regional Committee;
- Kajima Technical Research Institute
- Future Earth Global Hub Japan;
- Nagasaki University
- Future Earth Korea
- Seoul National University Asia Centre
- Future Earth Global Hub Japan
- Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
- Future Earth Australia
- Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
- Australian National University
- Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN)
- Indian Institute of Science
Proposals that have been selected after a rigorous assessment process and are ready to launch as pilot missions, awaiting funding to begin their transformative work.
Operationalizing a ‘transformative-futures for water security’ road map for the Mekong
About the mission
The pilot will promote a water-secure Mekong Region through mobilising coalitions for mission driven collective actions in Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Vietnam Delta, and Northeast Thailand, to address perhaps the most critical societal challenge of our times; future water security for all. The operationalisation of the road map will be developed through extensive dialogues, reflecting national and regional priorities. Co-hosted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and partners the Lao farmers association, the Department of Water resources, the NGO forum in Cambodia and the Dragon Mekong Institute of Can Tho University in Viet Nam, the operational plan will be co-developed by a diverse range of stakeholders, including youth leaders, policymakers, and scientists, oriented around eight science-driven “missions” focused on improving water security and climate resilient agriculture and societies. It will emphasize inclusive actions, particularly for marginalized groups, women, and youth, aiming to turn ideas into practical solutions by 2030.
Country from which the pilot science mission will be coordinated
Lao PDR
Geographical scope of the pilot science mission
Lower Mekong Basin; Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Viet Nam Delta and North-East Thailand.
Consortium composition
- International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
- NGO Forum Cambodia
- Dragon Institute for Climate Change and Development (DICCD)
- Lao Farmers Association
- Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Lao PDR
Transformative adaptation of rural landscapes across the food-water-biodiversity-health nexus: towards a just transition
About the mission
The Mission addresses climate challenges in the rural landscapes of northern Vietnam and the transboundary Trifinio region in Central America, where climate change is projected to render substantial areas unsuitable for current agricultural land use. Efforts focused on incremental adaptation of increasingly unviable systems fail to maintain rural livelihoods, while accelerating environmental degradation caused by current practices, including biodiversity loss, pollution, and water scarcity, with knock-on effects on other dimensions of human well-being, such as health.
Sustainable adaptation will require the transformation of rural landscapes and reconfiguration of existing socio-ecological systems. However, implementation of such solutions is constrained by finance and governance-related challenges.
The Mission will mobilize an inter-disciplinary partnership to engage science and non-science partners in transdisciplinary research to identify options for transformative adaptation, in accordance with the principles of Nature-based Solutions and Climate Justice to ensure social and ecological sustainability, and with potential for replication across the Global South.
Country from which the pilot science mission will be coordinated
Costa Rica
Geographical scope of the pilot science mission
Northern Central America (Trifinio Region between Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador) and Vietnam (Northern Provinces).
Consortium composition
- Tropical Agricultural Research and Education Center (CATIE)
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU)
- World Resources Institute (WRI)
- Trinational Comission of Plan Trifinio (CTPT)
- Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE)
- Latin American Model Forest Network (LAMFN)
- Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU)
- York University (York)
- Academy for Green Growth, Vietnam National University of Agriculture (AAG-VNUA)
- Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam National University (HUS-VNU)
- Research Center in Geophysics, University of Costa Rica (CIGEFI-UCR)
Innovative actions for agroecological transition & adaptive climate governance: building community water monitoring capacities in vulnerable Andean watersheds, Colombia
About the mission
This Pilot Science Mission empowers women and youth in Colombia’s northern Huila Andes to lead a transition toward sustainable water management and climate resilience. Working alongside these pioneering change agents, the project promotes sustainable agricultural practices through the implementation of coffee and cacao agroforestry systems, organic fertiliser production, regenerative beekeeping, and silvopastoral systems. These innovative approaches, combining traditional ecological knowledge with cutting-edge science and technology, will directly restore degraded lands, enhance biodiversity, and improve water quality. A core component of the mission involves strengthening local capacities and leadership through university-certified training courses in water governance. Furthermore, a community water monitoring network will be established, and participatory data will be integrated into a technical framework for ensuring sustainable watershed management decision-making, supporting the replication of successful Payment for Ecosystem Services scheme. This initiative creates economic opportunities and builds a replicable model for sustainable water management and climate adaptation.
Country from which the pilot science mission will be coordinated
Colombia
Geographical scope of the pilot science mission
Colombia, specifically the smallholder agricultural and cattle landscape along the northern Eastern Andes in the Huila department (four municipalities: Neiva, Baraya, Tello, and Colombia), encompasses tropical dry forests and humid Andean forests.
Consortium composition
- Fundación Ecotrópico / Ecotropico Foundation
- Universidad Externado de Colombia / Externado University of Colombia
- Corporación Universitaria del Huila-CORHUILA / University Corporation of Huila-CORHUILA
- The Nature Conservancy – TNC Colombia
- National Federation of Cattle Farmers – Federación Nacional de Ganaderos de Colombia
- Municipal Government of Neiva, Huila / Alcaldía Municipal de Neiva, Huila
- Municipal Government of Colombia, Huila / Alcaldía Municipal de Colombia, Huila
- Municipal Government of Tello, Huila / Alcaldía Municipal de Tello, Huila
- Municipal Government of Baraya, Huila / Alcaldía Municipal de Baraya, Huila
“ZAPI” concept: Innovation and Priority Adaptation Zones (ZAPIs, for “Zones d’Adaptation Prioritaire et d’Innovation” in French) dedicated to open and long-term sustainability science partnerships for climate adaptation and resilience of key socio-ecosystems
About the mission
The mission aims to implement a new tool for climate adaptation and socio-ecological viability, the ZAPI concept. The concept seeks to respond to the urgent need for improved resilience on crucial socio-ecosystems of East Africa through an enhancing capacity building and participatory strategy development. This will occur through the engagement of key socioecosystem actors, with two main objectives: (i) to better understand and anticipate climate and environmental impacts, and (ii) to develop effective adaptation climate and environment strategies tailored to local needs. The ZAPI concept will nucleate a “virtuous spiral” between the construction, exchange and use of (existing or developing) knowledge to improve resilience, adaptation and welfare. Based on excellent research experience involving regional partnerships in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, the pilot mission will evaluate and set up a robust a long-term framework for participatory research and knowledge exchange. This will ultimately support locally relevant adaptation solutions and strategies.
Country from which the pilot science mission will be coordinated
Djibouti
Geographical scope of the pilot science mission
The pilot Mission is focused on the most vulnerable regions « hotspots » of climate and socio-ecological change in East Africa (e.g. Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania), where effective sustainable development policies would require an improved understanding of the functioning of socio-ecosystems under climate and anthropological trends.
Consortium composition
- Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches de Djibouti (CERD)
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)
- National Research Fund
- Institute of Rural Development Planning (Ministry of Finance and Planning)
- Technical University of Kenya
- Parliament of Kenya
- UNEP/GRID-Geneva, University of Geneva
Citizen-Driven Living Labs for Urban Heat Island Mitigation; a women-led transdisciplinary approach for health, equity, and sustainability
About the mission
Climate change is intensifying heat waves across the globe, with cities particularly at risk due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. In recent years, heat waves in Asia have become more frequent and severe, putting millions of vulnerable people in danger. Many cities create heat action plans as urban areas worldwide face increasing heat exposure. However, these plans often fail to consider the needs and perspectives of the most affected communities, especially underprivileged populations. To effectively address this growing threat, a comprehensive approach is essential—one that brings together scientists, policymakers, civic bodies, ground-level organizations, and citizens to develop sustainable and inclusive solutions. The consortium envisions a future where densely populated urban areas adopt innovative solutions to mitigate and adapt to the UHI effect. This will be achieved through transdisciplinary and citizen science methodologies. The effectiveness and community acceptability of these solutions will be evaluated using the Living Lab concept, which involves piloting technological solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Country from which the pilot science mission will be coordinated
India
Geographical scope of the pilot science mission
The Pilot mission will be carried out in three South Asian cities
- Ahmedabad, India
- Rajshahi City, Bangladesh
- Bangkok, Thailand
Consortium composition
- Gujarat Mahila Housing Sewa Trust (MHT)
- IT:U Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria
- CODATA (Committee on Data of the International Science Council)
- CivicDataLab
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center – Centro Nacional de Supercomputación
Strengthening the agroecological stewardship of pollinators by indigenous and rural women in Latin America and the Caribbean
About the mission
In the context of multiple stressors, indigenous and rural women use different strategies to build resilience. One of these is the management of biodiverse agroecosystems and their surrounding landscapes. This Pilot Science Mission will focus on mapping experiences in six Latin American and Caribbean countries (Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua and Paraguay) on women’s management of pollinator habitats through agroecology; promoting theoretical and methodological knowledge co-production on the nexus of women, biodiversity and pollinators; and implementing a creative knowledge co-production documentation and dissemination processes to share the results of the pilot mission. These activities will contribute to the visibility of the role of biodiversity and agroecology in the realisation of women’s economic, social and cultural rights, and to the recognition and re -dignification of indigenous and rural women’s livelihoods that promote the stewardship of ecosystems and their components. The Mission will support progress towards gender equality goals (SDG5) and other related SDGs.
Country from which the pilot science mission will be coordinated
Bolivia
Geographical scope of the pilot science mission
Latin America and the Caribbean (Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua and Paraguay)
Consortium composition
- Latin American Scientific Society of Agroecology
- Association of Women in Agroecology (AMA AWA)
- TerraViva (Diverse Territories for Life)
- Caribbean Agroecology Institute (CAI)
- Statistics for Sustainable Development (Stats4SD)
- Veracruzana University
Beyond the Coffee Cup: Empowering coffee-production communities
About the mission
The proposed pilot mission addresses the urgent challenges of smallholder coffee producers in Chiapas, Mexico, focusing on economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and social resilience. Collaborating with local communities, the consortium bridges traditional farming knowledge with cutting-edge scientific tools, such as AI-driven soil monitoring and circular economy models that turn coffee waste into valuable by-products. Through innovative educational programs, the mission equips producers with essential skills, empowering them to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, improve soil health, and enhance climate resilience. This proposal strengthens community self-reliance by fostering inclusive partnerships and data-driven decision-making and promotes long-term economic growth and environmental stewardship. This unique co-design approach ensures social impact and scalability, positioning the mission as a replicable model for global coffee-growing regions.
Country from which the pilot science mission will be coordinated
Mexico
Geographical scope of the pilot science mission
The pilot Mission will concentrate on smallholder coffee producers in southern Mexico, particularly in the regions surrounding Jaltenango de la Paz, San Cristóbal de las Casas, and Tziscao in Chiapas.
Consortium composition
- Tecnologico de Monterrey
- Káapeh México
- Triunfo Verde
- Mazariegos Café
- Social Innovation Center (CIS)
- Café la Tribu A.C.
- Universidad de Colima
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
Co-designing of intensification strategies in smallholder farming systems: overcoming institutional, governance and gender barriers of sustainable rural development
About the mission
This science mission targets the co-design of sustainable intensification strategies that can address institutional, governance and gender barriers and improve both environmental health and the livelihoods of rural communities. By combining scientific research with local knowledge, the mission will co-design crop production and agroforestry systems tailored to specific regions and societal needs. These systems will be tested in real-world scenarios, and allow us to assess their ecological, economic, and social impacts. The mission prioritizes inclusive collaboration between farmers, scientists, policymakers, and the private sector to ensure that solutions are practical, scalable, and beneficial for all stakeholders. The mission will also focus on engaging local communities in the research process through citizen science and empowering them with the knowledge and tools to adopt sustainable practices. By influencing policy and driving investment, the project aims to create a long-term positive impact on food security, environmental conservation, and economic resilience in rural areas.
Country from which the pilot science mission will be coordinated
Ethiopia
Geographical scope of the pilot science mission
Our scoping areas are in the highlands of Ethiopia, geographically & thematically
classified areas into:
- Complex agroforestry system
- Semi-agroforestry system
- Mixed complex cereal farming system
- Mono-crop farming system
Consortium composition
- Water and Land Resource Centre (WLRC)
- Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Ministry of Agriculture- Ethiopia
- Sassakawa Africa Association (SAA)
- Hawassa University-Wondogenet College of Agriculture
- Sidama Women and Youth Affairs Office
- Organization for Women in Self-Employment
The SDGs for a sustainable Mapungubwe: thriving cross-border landscapes and societies.
About the mission
Our focus area is Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, a joint transboundary conservation area between Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. The Mission recognises and takes a cue from the once thriving Mapungubwe Kingdom that collapsed in the 13th century because of environmental change, and aims to co-design pathways for the sustainable wellbeing of cross-border communities in southern Africa and beyond. Such pathways are urgent given incompatible land uses (e.g., mining, agriculture, conservation, human settlements), the need to improve the wellbeing of people, and to craft a sustainable future in the Mapungubwe region. The Mission will engage local communities, local authorities, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders to explore, assess, prioritize, and identify tractable sustainable wellbeing pathways for local communities within agreed sustainability guidelines. It will identify hotspots of social and ecological risks and opportunities for transformative science.
Country from which the pilot science mission will be coordinated
South Africa
Geographical scope of the pilot science mission
The Mapungubwe region is a critical landscape stretching across Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. In the initial stage the Pilot Science Mission will focus on the South African side around the Musina Local Municipality and adjacent areas with the intention to extend to Botswana and Zimbabwe beyond the Pilot.
Consortium composition
- Future Africa, University of Pretoria
- The University of Melbourne (UoM)
- University of Venda (UNIVEN)
- University of Johannesburg
- Dzomo la Mupo
- Vhembe District Municipality
- Michigan State University
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
Achieving sustainable structural transformations by mitigating and adapting to the health impacts of climate change
About the mission
This pilot Science Mission seeks to address the challenge of an increased human health burden due to climate change. It will pilot a set of locally informed interventions in geographies facing the double burden of poverty and climate vulnerability. It will undertake a collaborative program of action, analysis, and adaptive learning for structural transformations that (1) Scale up and out to support and improve the multi-faceted well-being of more than one million households in the contexts and countries of focus during full project implementation, and (2) Lead to generalizable, action-relevant findings usable by members of a broader network we will connect and convene during the pilot phase. This collaborative program, through its encompassing frameworks, leverage of systems science, field experiences, and evidence-based, policy relevant findings, will mitigate the risks that climate change poses to human health and advance Sustainable Development Goals and Targets for sustainable structural transformations.
Country from which the pilot science mission will be coordinated
United States
Geographical scope of the pilot science mission
Global consortium, with partnerships and focus covering the United States, Vietnam, Ecuador, Kenya, Malawi, and Bangladesh.
Consortium composition
- University of Michigan, School for Environment and Sustainability
- University of Michigan, School of Public Health
- Economy and Environment Partnership for Southeast Asia
- Green Empowerment
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito
- Eco2Librium
- Women’s Earth Alliance
- Center for Agricultural Research and Development
- icddr’b
- Centre for Advocacy and Research