The Next Generation Foresight Practitioners, commonly known as NGFP, is a global network and fellowship initiative designed to support emerging leaders, innovators, and changemakers using futures thinking and strategic foresight to address complex social, environmental, technological, and governance challenges.
Launched by the School of International Futures in 2018, NGFP has become one of the most recognized international communities for young foresight practitioners. The initiative focuses on democratizing futures and foresight methodologies, especially for underrepresented communities and Global South participants.
Introduction
The Next Generation Foresight Practitioners (NGFP) initiative supports individuals and teams working to create equitable, resilient, and sustainable futures through strategic foresight. Strategic foresight is the practice of exploring possible futures to improve present-day decision-making.
NGFP provides:
- Fellowship opportunities
- Capacity-building programs
- Mentorship and coaching
- Seed funding and grants
- Global networking opportunities
- Access to policy and innovation ecosystems
The organization is particularly focused on empowering young professionals, social innovators, researchers, activists, and community leaders from diverse backgrounds. Through collaborative futures thinking, NGFP aims to help participants design solutions for climate change, democracy, peacebuilding, technology governance, sustainability, and social justice.
According to NGFP and SOIF publications, the network has grown to include hundreds of members from more than 80 countries across six continents.
History and Background
Origins of NGFP
The Next Generation Foresight Practitioners initiative was launched in 2018 by the School of International Futures (SOIF), a UK-based nonprofit organization specializing in strategic foresight and systems transformation.
Initially established as the “NGFP Awards,” the program aimed to identify and recognize emerging foresight leaders working on innovative community and systems-change projects around the world.
The founders recognized a major imbalance in the global foresight ecosystem:
- Futures and foresight conversations were often dominated by institutions in the Global North.
- Young and marginalized voices were underrepresented in long-term decision-making.
- Access to foresight education and funding was limited in many regions.
To address these challenges, NGFP evolved from an awards initiative into a broader international fellowship and professional development network.
Growth of the Network
Over the years, NGFP expanded into a multidisciplinary global community of changemakers working in areas such as:
- Climate adaptation
- Public policy
- Digital futures
- Urban innovation
- Education reform
- Peacebuilding
- Community resilience
- Health futures
The initiative now hosts annual fellowship cohorts, thematic projects, regional collaborations, and youth-focused foresight initiatives.
Mission and Purpose
Vision
NGFP’s vision is to create “transformed and more inclusive futures envisioned and shaped by diverse voices.”
Mission Statement
The organization’s mission is to:
“Identify, accelerate, amplify, and connect a Global South-anchored network of emerging next-generation foresight practitioners to leverage power for transformation.”
Core Objectives
NGFP focuses on several strategic goals:
Democratizing Futures and Foresight
One of NGFP’s central priorities is making futures thinking accessible to communities that have historically been excluded from global strategic planning discussions.
Supporting Emerging Leaders
The organization nurtures early-career practitioners through mentorship, grants, workshops, and international collaboration opportunities.
Building Global Collaboration
NGFP promotes cross-border partnerships among innovators, policymakers, researchers, and grassroots organizations.
Advancing Equity and Inclusion
The initiative emphasizes diversity, intergenerational fairness, and locally informed approaches to foresight.
Driving Systems Transformation
Projects supported by NGFP often focus on long-term systemic challenges including:
- Climate justice
- Democratic resilience
- Technological ethics
- Sustainable development
- Social inclusion
Governance and Structure
Organizational Leadership
NGFP operates as an initiative under the School of International Futures (SOIF). SOIF provides strategic leadership, organizational infrastructure, and institutional support.
Governance Model
The governance structure includes:
Fellowship and Program Teams
Dedicated staff manage fellowship operations, partnerships, training, communications, and community engagement.
International Judges and Advisors
NGFP uses panels of global foresight experts and practitioners to evaluate fellowship applications and identify high-potential projects.
Strategic Partners
The organization collaborates with foundations, innovation networks, universities, and futures-focused institutions worldwide.
Community-Centered Governance
NGFP emphasizes participatory and non-extractive collaboration models. Its published principles highlight:
- Shared responsibility
- Fair compensation
- Inclusion of youth voices
- Transparency
- Reciprocal partnerships
Funding and Grants
Fellowship Funding Model
NGFP provides financial and non-financial support to selected fellows and projects.
Funding support may include:
- Seed grants
- Innovation funding
- Growth awards
- Training resources
- Mentorship access
- Event participation support
According to recent fellowship announcements, selected fellows may receive:
- Approximately USD $1,000 in kick-start funding
- Opportunities to compete for growth awards of up to USD $10,000
Sources of Funding
NGFP’s funding ecosystem appears to involve:
- Institutional partnerships
- Philanthropic support
- International collaboration grants
- Sponsorships
- Program partnerships
The organization also works with external partners to expand fellowship opportunities in specific regions, including the Middle East, Africa, and the Balkans.
Focus on Equitable Funding
A distinguishing feature of NGFP is its commitment to fair funding and compensation for emerging foresight practitioners, particularly those from underrepresented communities.
The organization advocates for more equitable access to strategic foresight resources globally.
Major Programs and Initiatives
NGFP Fellowship
The flagship NGFP Fellowship is an annual program supporting emerging practitioners working on future-oriented projects.
Key features include:
- One-year learning journey
- Futures and foresight training
- Project incubation
- Mentorship
- Global peer collaboration
- Showcase opportunities
Eligibility typically targets individuals aged 18–35, although some experienced applicants outside this range may qualify under specific criteria.
NGFP Awards
The original NGFP Awards recognized innovative projects advancing futures thinking and systemic transformation.
Award categories have historically included:
- Community futures
- Sustainable futures
- Innovative methods
- Foresight with impact
Regional and Thematic Initiatives
NGFP supports multiple thematic tracks and regional collaborations, including:
African Digital Futures
A collaborative initiative involving African practitioners creating future visions for digital transformation on the continent.
Peaceful Futures
Projects focused on long-term pathways toward global peace and conflict transformation.
Futures Methods from Around the World
An initiative promoting culturally diverse foresight methodologies and localized futures practices.
Youth and Intergenerational Programs
NGFP also collaborates with youth-focused initiatives such as the NGFP-Young Voices Awards to engage younger participants in futures thinking.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Global Reach and Diversity
NGFP has developed a globally distributed community of foresight practitioners spanning:
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- North America
- South America
- Oceania
- The Middle East
The network includes practitioners from diverse disciplines including technology, sustainability, governance, public health, education, and design.
Example Projects and Impact
UrbanBetter – Healthier African Cities
NGFP Fellow Tolullah Oni received significant funding support for UrbanBetter, a platform dedicated to healthier urban futures in Africa. According to NGFP sources, the project secured approximately USD $300,000 in funding support.
Community Futures and Civic Innovation
Several fellows have worked on projects involving:
- Participatory democracy
- Electoral futures
- Inclusive governance
- Citizen engagement systems
Climate and Sustainability Projects
NGFP fellows frequently develop initiatives addressing:
- Climate adaptation
- Food systems transformation
- Circular economies
- Environmental justice
Technology and Digital Futures
The network also supports work related to:
- Ethical AI governance
- Digital inclusion
- Emerging technologies
- Future-of-work research
Long-Term Systems Impact
Rather than focusing solely on short-term outputs, NGFP encourages projects designed to influence long-term systems change and future resilience.
This emphasis on strategic foresight distinguishes NGFP from many traditional innovation fellowship programs.
Conclusion
The Next Generation Foresight Practitioners has emerged as a significant international platform for advancing inclusive futures thinking and empowering the next generation of changemakers.
By combining foresight education, mentorship, funding, and international collaboration, NGFP helps emerging practitioners design innovative responses to complex global challenges.
Its strong emphasis on Global South leadership, diversity, systems transformation, and equitable futures has positioned the initiative as an influential actor in the growing strategic foresight ecosystem.
As governments, institutions, and communities increasingly recognize the importance of long-term thinking, organizations like NGFP are likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping resilient and inclusive futures worldwide.
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