Collaboration between funders and project managers for promoting planetary health

Planetary health examines how environmental changes such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation affect public health and how the activities of ours impact the Earth and its ability to sustain life.  By integrating insights off environmental, health and social sciences, planetary health aims to develop sustainable solutions to global challenges.

Establish a trust-based relationship

A cornerstone of any successful project that aims to protect our planet is trust between the funders and project managers. Establishing a strong, trust-based relationship helps secure funding and ensures that projects remain transparent, adaptable, and results-oriented. 

Trust-based relationship enables open communication and effective collaboration as well as fosters innovation. It also helps to mitigate risks, and enhance accountability of the project manager. Moreover, it supports long-term relationships, ethical decision-making, and shared responsibility, all of which are critical for the success of complex, high-impact planetary health projects. As such, building and maintaining trust between funders and project managers should be a foundational principle in all planetary health initiatives to ensure their effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

Well planned is half done

A key element in planning an effective R&D project for promoting planetary health is to ensure the success of the project. For to do this, one may find next tips as helpful:

• Define clear objectives by setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) goals.
• Use credible data by relying on scientific research and past successes to build legitimacy.
• Organize timeline and budget by showing foresight and planning ability with key milestones and resources allocation.
• Evaluate and monitor by establishing frameworks to track progress and ensure transparency and accountability.

Construct a persuasive pitch

For to succeed in grant application, just preparing the application document is not enough. You need to be also able to pitch your proposal to convince the funders of the value and potential of your project. A persuasive pitch requires a balance between passion for the cause and a clear demonstration of expertise. 

But what makes a pitch persuasive?

Research funders to understand their interests and values to tailor your pitch. Use storytelling to connect with funders emotionally by sharing impactful stories. Demonstrate impact to outline short-term and long-term benefits with visual examples. Show openness with providing a summary of the project framework, budget and risk management strategies.

Build a partnership between funders and project managers

A partnership between funders and project managers is a collaborative relationship where both parties work together to achieve successful implementation and outcomes of the project. Funders provide the financial resources and strategic guidance, while project managers handle the operational aspects such as ensuring that the project is delivered on time, within budget, and according to the intended goals.

Tips to build a strong partnerships between funders and project managers:

• Maintain regular communication with funders to keep them updated on progress and challenges of the project.
• Involve funders by including them in major decisions to foster shared responsibility.
• Be transparent by addressing issues honestly to maintain trust.
• Celebrate achievements together with funders by highlighting milestones to reinforce partnership.

Invest in planetary health

In the pursuit of safeguarding planetary health, funders and project managers share an unified objective to create meaningful, positive change. When thoughtfully designed and effectively executed, planetary health initiatives can adapt to economic challenges by offering a variety of employment opportunities at different skill levels, particularly for underserved and marginalized communities. These projects not only generate direct job opportunities and income but also tend to offer a higher return on investment compared to other sectors. By collaborating, funders and project managers can drive transformative change, helping to restore biodiversity, mitigate climate change, reduce dependence on costly resources, enhance public health, and improve resilience.

Investing in planetary health initiatives can help prevent climate-related damages, lower healthcare expenditures, and strengthen economic stability. Funders should consider the long-term societal and resilience benefits when supporting these projects. A comprehensive policy framework is crucial to ensure that well-structured planetary health projects provide a range of benefits, address potential trade-offs, and actively promote biodiversity. Together, funders and project managers has the opportunity to foster sustainable, circular economies that support both human well-being and the preservation of biodiverse ecosystems.

Sources

Planetary Health Alliance 2024, Planetary Health

Danielle Brady 2023, Planetary health: A holistic vision for people and the planet. European Policy Center

School of connection 2024, What makes a good pitch: Key elements and tips for success