8. “Describe the operational sustainability of the initiative. When did the initiative begin? What are the key social, institutional, financial, and ecological elements that make this initiative sustainable over the long term? Describe any plans for expansion of the initiative.”
Sustainability of the initiative is an important criterion for getting selected for the Equator Prize. Initiatives nominated for the Prize need to demonstrate enduring institutional, operational and financial sustainability.
Sustainability is all about how the initiative will continue to progress after the end of the external support. As an organization, you will have a better idea of creating sustainable communities i.e. when communities manage their own initiatives and achieve results. Any initiative is supported by its management structure and financial set up. Over a period of time, when the initiative is handed over to the community, its management structure and the financial set up is also placed in its hands. Will the community have enough skills to take over these? Will it have sufficient financial resources to continue to operate the initiative? These questions can be addressed if the whole initiative has been planned well.
Explain the plans you have for ensuring the sustainability of your operations. If your initiative is already led by the community, it is well and good. However, other initiatives led by organizations have to present proper planning for long-term sustainability of the project.
The Ekuri Initiative in Nigeria provides the following information about its sustainability. It has been engaged in community forestry to harvest timber, vegetables, rattans, and other products in a sustainable manner.
