We are accepting applications for the From Growth to Well Being Think Fund until July 31st, 2023.
For decades, economic growth—measured as Gross Domestic Product (GDP)—has been the ultimate guiding principle for mainstream economic and political thinking. GDP was synonymous with rising living standards and continuous progress. Yet the last two decades have demonstrated that a blind pursuit of growth has caused catastrophic ecological harm, a mass extinction of global biodiversity, and led to an ever-widening gap between the world’s richest and poorest people. In simple terms: growth, as measured by traditional economic indicators, is becoming destructive.
This insight is especially important in an era of multiple crises. While governments around the world are struggling to respond to this period of global upheaval, it is also an unprecedented opportunity to rethink our economic principles and assumptions and reorient them toward a true consideration of planetary boundaries, human rights, and global social justice.
The From Growth to Well Being Think Fund offers small grants to experts, researchers, and writers - especially from the Global South - to develop proposals, recommendations, and ideas to move the conversation on inclusive and more equitable economic transformation forward. This will contribute to building a pool of innovative and cutting-edge knowledge in a regionally and professionally diverse manner.
WHAT WE OFFER
Successful applicants will receive a grant of up to $3,000 for discussion pieces, articles, graphics/illustrations, policy papers, or research work.
WHO CAN APPLY
We seek (preferably) Global South experts, researchers, and writers with a track record of publications who offer new perspectives on an equitable economic transformation and inclusive growth.
ISSUE AREAS
Possible topics could include:
- What are complementary or other indicators that can serve as alternative measures to GDP?
- What are current data collections gaps that hinder the tracking of more holistic economic indicators, particularly in the Global South?
- What are other culturally and regionally different wellbeing paradigms like “Buen Vivir” or “Ubuntu,” and how can they be applied in practice?
- What are the key gender considerations than need to be taken into account (e.g. role of paid/unpaid care work for global prosperity) when moving toward a wellbeing economy?
- What is the role of International Financial Institutions (IMF/WBG) and how can they be transformed?
- How do we increase public awareness around the need to reorient our economic models and mobilize support for different policies at the national and international level?
WHAT'S EXPECTED
Format: we are open to different formats. Submission can range from articles and policy papers to podcasts, videos, or illustrations.
Timeline: Selected applicants are expected to complete their pieces by October 30, 2023, at the latest, and the work should be published by the end of the calendar year.
All contributions will be published on our website.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications should consist of:
- Resume: Please use a standard US format (no picture, date of birth, religion, or marital status).
- Cover letter and proposal: A short document (no more than two pages!) outlining your motivation and interest in applying for the Think Fund, a short description of the topic you plan to cover, and your plan for publication (format, timeline etc.).
- If possible, include two work samples. If your previous work is not in English, please also provide a brief summary of each of your work samples.
Please upload the resume and cover letter separately, and include all documents other than your resume in the same file as your cover letter. If your work samples are other forms of media (e.g. video) please email us and we will make accommodations.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until July 31st, 2023.
Click here to submit your application.
For questions, please contact Carl Roberts at carl.roberts[at]us.boell.org.