Policy Innovation Blueprint Competition
Theme: From “Too Little Too Late” to the “Giant Leap”: Grounded African Policy for a Wellbeing Future
Overview
Africa stands at a defining moment. The decisions made today will shape whether the continent continues along a path of rising inequality, poverty, and environmental strain—or transitions toward a future rooted in shared prosperity and sustainable wellbeing. This challenge requires more than incremental reform. It calls for bold, systems-driven policy thinking grounded in African realities. The Oxford Africa Conference 2026, in partnership with the Club of Rome’s Earth4All initiative, invites the next generation of African thinkers, policymakers, and innovators to design solutions that rise to this moment.
The Challenge
This competition draws on Earth4All, a global initiative exploring pathways to human wellbeing within planetary boundaries by 2050. It presents two possible futures:
• Too Little Too Late
A continuation of current trends, marked by deepening inequality, rising poverty, and ecological instability.
• The Giant Leap
A transformative future where economies, institutions, and systems are redesigned to serve both people and planet.
The difference between these futures lies in five interconnected “turnarounds”:
• Poverty – Ending extreme poverty through inclusive economic reform
• Inequality – Reducing disparities through equitable systems
• Empowerment – Advancing opportunities for women and youth
• Food Systems – Building sustainable, resilient food networks
• Energy – Expanding access to clean and affordable energy
Progress in one area strengthens the others.
This competition seeks policy ideas that reflect this systems-level thinking.
The Problem
Africa’s development challenge is not simply about resources or governance; it is systemic.
Poverty, inequality, environmental stress, and institutional fragility reinforce one another, creating cycles that traditional policy approaches often fail to address.
Despite progress in some regions:
• Economic value often flows outward rather than strengthening local economies
• Public institutions face structural and historical limitations
• Climate impacts are accelerating faster than adaptation efforts
• Marginalised voices remain underrepresented in policymaking
This has created a gap between policy design and lived reality. Closing that gap requires grounded, inclusive, and transformative policy thinking.
Your Task
Your Task Submit a policy memo (max. 2,500 words) that proposes a systems-level intervention addressing a real challenge in an African context.
Your proposal should:
• Address root causes, not just symptoms
• Reflect interconnected systems (aligned with Earth4All turnarounds)
• Be grounded in lived experiences of affected communities
• Clearly contrast the “Too Little Too Late” path with your proposed alternative
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be assessed based on:
• Systems Thinking – Understanding interconnected challenges
• Human-Centred Design – Grounded in real lived experiences
• Transformative Ambition – Moving beyond incremental change
• Adaptability – Designed for testing, learning, and scaling
• Accountability – Clear mechanisms for transparency and feedback
• Institutional Agility – Ability to evolve based on evidence
The Prize
The winner will receive an internship with the Club of Rome, a globally renowned think tank known for shaping sustainability and systems thinking discourse.
This opportunity includes:
• Contributing to the Earth4All global roadmap
• Learning systems thinking and policy modelling approaches
• Mentorship from leading economists and policy experts
• Experience translating research into real-world policy
• Access to a global network of sustainability institutions
Key Dates
• Launch: March 31, 2026
• Abstract Deadline (500 words): April 15, 2026
• Finalists Announced: April 25, 2026
• Full Submission Deadline: May 5, 2026
• Live Pitch & Awards: May 16–17, 2026 (Oxford University)
Internship Details
• Duration: September – December 2026
• Format: Remote (36 hours/week)
• Compensation: £1,200 per month
The world does not lack policy ideas—it lacks policy thinking that is both ambitious and grounded in reality. Africa has a unique opportunity to lead by bridging this gap, bringing lived experience, local knowledge, and bold systems thinking into global policymaking. This competition is a call to those ready to shape that future
Our Partners
Copyright © 2026, University of Oxford Africa Society, OAC26
