Expression of Interest: Cross-Cultural Conversations on Climate Leadership

Expression of Interest: Cross-Cultural Conversations on Climate Leadership is sponsored by EIT Climate-KIC. This call seeks expressions of interest for participation in cross-cultural dialogues and initiatives related to climate leadership. It aims to foster collaborative efforts and knowledge exchange across diverse communities to drive climate action.

Expression of Interest: Cross-Cultural Conversations on Climate Leadership | Climate KIC Expression of Interest: Cross-Cultural Conversations on Climate Leadership Climate KIC is launching a series of facilitated conversations between entrepreneurs and founders working in the climate space, based in Asia, Oceania and Europe.

The series is part of Climate KIC’s 2026 partnership with NO.17 Foundation / TPC Group to advance the vision of a “wellbeing economy. ” A wellbeing economy is designed to put people and planet over profit. It measures progress through diverse lenses – from health and social connection to sustainability, equity, education and economic resilience.

Most importantly, it is grounded in Climate KIC’s vision: a just, climate-resilient, beautiful future for all. Across these regions, a growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs is already advancing solutions that support planetary health and human wellbeing. Yet these efforts often remain fragmented and disconnected from one another.

Opportunities for cross-border learning and alignment are scarce, and the wellbeing economy discourse frequently remains too abstract to be actionable. This series responds to that gap.

Each conversation is a 45-minute facilitated bilateral exchange, pairing one entrepreneur based in Asia or Oceania with one based in Europe — creating a structured space for peer reflection and the kind of cross-cultural exchange that rarely happens in formal settings.

The series will bring together dozens of entrepreneurs from different continents to explore the inner capacities, mindsets and skills that enable people to act with resilience and purpose. Insights from these conversations will be used to map developed and underdeveloped leadership capabilities across different contexts.

The recorded conversations will be organised and facilitated by a Climate KIC team member and follow a lightly structured format to encourage genuine exchange. Each session will last approximately 45 minutes and be conducted online.

We aim to create paired conversations that are geographically balanced (one entrepreneur from Asia/Oceania, one from Europe), thematically complementary, and reflective of diverse sectors, business models and stages of development. Sample Conversation Themes People and agency: How has building your venture changed your relationship to impact, purpose and resilience? What inner capacities does regenerative entrepreneurship require?

Business model and value: How does your business model embody — or struggle to embody — wellbeing economy principles? What does it mean in practice to put people and planet first Systems and place: How do you engage with the broader system around you — communities, supply chains, ecosystems, institutions? Where do you see leverage?

Cross-regional exchange: What can entrepreneurs in Asia/Oceania and Europe learn from each other’s contexts, constraints and approaches? What does ‘viable futures for people and planet’ look like in your setting? Exact conversation questions will be confirmed in advance with each participant.

We are inviting applications from professionals working on climate innovation, circular economy, sustainability, or related fields. We are particularly interested in hearing from people who are already thinking about — or actively navigating — the tensions between growth, impact and systemic change. Role: You are an entrepreneur, founder or co-founder of a start-up, scale-up or SME.

Region: You are based in Asia, Oceania, or Europe (applicants from all regions are welcome). Thematic relevance: You operate in climate innovation, circular economy, sustainability, or a related field. Availability: You are available for a 45-minute online conversation between June and August 2026.

Language: You are comfortable having a facilitated conversation in English. Where possible, we will match participants who share the same native language. Consent: You must consent to having the conversation recorded for research purposes.

Climate KIC will award a travel grant to two participants to support attendance at the AT ONE Impact Week 2026 taking place 8–12 September at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. This 5-day event, co-convened by TPC (Tsao Pao Chee) and the NO. 17 Foundation, focuses on transitioning toward a well-being economy, promoting system transformation across climate, finance, and community sectors.

The grant is intended to contribute toward the cost of return flights, accommodation, and event registration. Please note that winners are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own travel documentation, including visas, travel insurance and any associated fees; these costs are not covered by the grant. Winners will be notified with sufficient lead time to make the necessary arrangements.

Impact Week will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and systems innovators from across Asia and beyond to join the Well-being Economic Forum and Festival.

Attending gives you access to: High-level convenings on place-based systems transformation, regenerative entrepreneurship, and cross-regional collaboration Direct connections with the Climate KIC network, advisors, and funders active across Asia and Europe The opportunity to showcase your own work and story on an international stage All participants are automatically eligible to receive the grant.

Winners will be selected based on the quality of responses to Section 3 of the application form. Responses will be evaluated against the following criteria: Demonstrated embodiment of wellbeing economy principles (Question 1) Does the applicant show a concrete, specific way their venture puts people and planet ahead of conventional growth metrics?

Reviewers will look for real examples over abstract statements — how decisions are made, what is measured, and what has been sacrificed or redesigned in service of this commitment. Depth of personal and entrepreneurial reflection (Question 2) Does the applicant show genuine self-awareness about the inner demands of building a regenerative business?

Strong responses will go beyond generic challenges and name a specific capacity — such as holding uncertainty, sustaining purpose under pressure, or navigating systemic resistance — with honest reflection on how it has shaped their leadership. Quality and curiosity of cross-regional learning intent (Question 3) Does the applicant articulate a specific, genuine learning question for a entrepreneur from another region?

Reviewers will favour responses that reveal intellectual curiosity, humility, and a clear sense of what the applicant does not yet know — rather than a desire to share their own work. Open call published and shared with Climate KIC alumni networks Climate KIC reviews applications and confirms pairings; notifies grant winners (approx.

early June) 45-minute bilateral conversations take place online (June-End August) Preliminary insights shared at Impact Week 2026 (September) To express your interest, please complete the application form via the link below. The form will ask for a brief description of your venture, your programme alumni status, and a short reflection on how you are engaging with wellbeing economy principles in your work.

We will reach out to interested applicants individually to confirm participation and schedule conversations. For questions about the application process, please contact: Eva Ros This initiative is part of Climate KIC’s 2026 partnership with NO.17 Foundation / TPC Group to advance cross-regional learning and collaboration in service of the wellbeing economy. Learn more at climate-kic.

org.