Dubai-Based C3 Partners With Global Banking Giant HSBC To Launch The C3 Nature Impact Accelerator
Applications for the program's inaugural cohort are officially open until August 16, 2026.
UAE-based impact platform C3 (Companies Creating Change) has partnered with global banking group HSBC to launch the C3 Nature Impact Accelerator.
Designed as a 10-week program, the C3 Nature Impact Accelerator is aimed at helping scale nature-based solutions—one of the most effective approaches to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and community resilience—across the Middle East, North Africa, Türkiye (MENAT), and Southeast Asia.
Nature-based solutions, as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, are “actions addressing key societal challenges through the protection, sustainable management and restoration of both natural and modified ecosystems, benefiting both biodiversity and human well-being.” The C3 Nature Impact Accelerator will focus on three priority areas: dryland and desert ecosystem restoration, urban nature and heat resilience, and wetlands and freshwater ecosystem restoration.
In a statement, Medea Nocentini, founder of C3, said, "Nature-based solutions have the potential to systemically address the most pressing environmental challenges we face today. Through the Nature Impact Accelerator, we are creating a platform that brings together practical capacity building, expert coaching, strategic partnerships, and implementation support to help community-driven initiatives to grow and scale their impact. We are proud to partner with HSBC on this important initiative and look forward to supporting the next generation of nature innovators."
David Ramos, Head of Philanthropy, HSBC, added, “Nature is one of our strongest allies in tackling climate risk and building resilience, but nature-based solutions need more funding. No single organization can restore ecosystems at the pace and scale required, so this accelerator is about changing that equation together. We believe in the importance of backing high-potential, community-led initiatives across the MENAT and Southeast Asia.”
Running from September 2026 to January 2027, the C3 Nature Impact Accelerator program will conclude with an in-person HSBC Nature Impact Showcase at the HSBC headquarters in Dubai, where participants will present their work directly to partners, funders, policymakers, and sustainability leaders to spark new scaling opportunities.
To build the cohort, the C3 Nature Impact Accelerator is seeking mission-driven environmental ventures, community organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), conservation groups, social enterprises, agro-livelihood initiatives, and university spinouts that deliver measurable environmental and community impact. Applicants must be based in or operating across the MENAT or Southeast Asia and be legally registered as an NGO, social enterprise, company, community-based organization, cooperative, conservation initiative, or university-affiliated project. They must also have operated for at least 12 months before the application deadline, demonstrate a proof-of-concept or implemented solution, align with the program’s priority themes, and commit to the full duration of the program.
Participation in the program is entirely free of charge. Applications for its inaugural cohort are officially open until August 16, 2026. Eligible initiatives are invited to apply here.
