The EOIL Innovation Fund
Funding the next generation of outdoor innovation
Every euro of profit generated by our Pathways Europe operations will flow directly into the EOIL Innovation Fund — a dedicated resource for trialling new approaches to outdoor connection and supporting the earliest-stage outdoor innovation startups.
This creates a self-sustaining ecosystem: the more young people we get outdoors through Pathways Europe, the more we can invest in pioneering the next generation of outdoor innovations.
Supporting ideas that get people outdoors
We fund pilots, practitioners, and early-stage ventures working on new ways to connect people with the natural world.
Trialling New Approaches
Funding pilots for novel nature connection methods that might not yet have commercial viability but could transform how we engage people with the outdoors.
Supporting Early Startups
Providing seed support, mentorship, and testing environments for entrepreneurs building businesses to get people outdoors more.
Open to Applications
Have an idea for getting people outdoors? We want to hear from entrepreneurs, practitioners, and innovators at any stage.
Practitioner Pilots
Supporting nature therapists, educators, and outdoor practitioners to test new models with real groups in real environments.
A fund built differently
The Innovation Fund is not a traditional grant programme. It is part of a vertically integrated model — where commercial operations directly fund mission-led innovation.
This means every booking on Pathways Europe becomes an act of outdoor innovation investment — creating alignment between commercial activity and social and environmental mission.
Self-funded
Profits from Pathways Europe operations flow directly into the fund — creating a self-sustaining cycle.
Mission-aligned
Independent and mission-driven. We fund what's good for people and planet, not just what's commercially safe.
Evidence-led
Every funded project contributes to our evidence base on what works in outdoor connection.
Open access
Research and findings are shared openly to benefit the wider outdoor innovation ecosystem.
