How visuals unlock funding, collaboration and new opportunities

If you work in sustainable development, you probably spend a lot of time trying to explain complex ideas. Whether it’s circular economies, social justice, climate action, or community-based projects... these topics aren’t always easy to break down. That’s where visuals come in.

As an illustrator and inclusive designer working in the sustainable development space, I’ve seen firsthand how well-crafted visual communication doesn't just tell a story, it creates real opportunities. A good visual doesn’t just look nice. It can spark new ideas, attract and secure funding, and form new surprising collaborations. In this post, I’ll walk you through why using visuals is such a powerful tool in this field, and I’ll share some practical tips to help you get started.

1. Visuals make the invisible, visible

Many of the challenges in sustainable development are complex and systemic. It’s not always easy to explain how waste becomes a resource, or how investing in local agriculture impacts global food security.

Visuals have the unique ability to clarify abstract ideas—like circular economies, social inequality, or climate adaptation—making them more accessible to a wider audience. This clarity helps stakeholders quickly grasp the value of a project or initiative, which is crucial when pitching for funding or forming new partnerships.

For example, Imagine you’re explaining how a local composting program reduces landfill waste and supports urban farming. A simple flowchart or sketch can show the whole loop in one glance. This is way faster (and more memorable) than a 10 page report. 

Practical Tip: Start with one key idea. Ask yourself: What do I want people to understand in 10 seconds? Then draw it out. Stick figures and arrows are fine. You don’t need to be a professional illustrator to make your point. You can always do that at a later stage.

2. Visuals reach a wider audience without extra work or budget

Not everyone processes information the same way. In fact, 65% of the global population are visual learners. Long reports or word-heavy presentations can leave people out, especially if they speak different languages or have different literacy levels.

Inclusive visuals help you reach more people. You can design infographics with simple language, clear icons, and characters that reflect the diversity of the community you’re working with. This inclusive approach can open doors to funding streams aimed at underrepresented communities or spark collaborations with organizations focused on equity.

An example could be: A public health campaign about clean water in a multilingual community can use illustrations to show safe water practices. The best part, no translation needed!

Tips: Consider multilingual infographics, diverse character illustrations (age, gender, culture and ability), or diagrams that work without heavy text. Also make sure to use high contrast, readable fonts, and avoid too much small text. 

3. Funders love visuals (Even if they don’t say it)

Most funding proposals are heavy on numbers and jargon. But we often forget that funders are humans too—they want to understand the impact. Visual storytelling tools like journey maps, illustrated case studies, or future scenarios can make a proposal more compelling and memorable. A single visual can convey both logic and emotion, which is often the sweet spot for winning support.

For example, I’ve worked with an initiative that used a one-page visual roadmap to show how a reforestation project would grow over five years. It wasn’t necessarily flashy, just clear. That visual made their proposal stand out and helped them get a grant.

Tip: Add one strong visual to your next funding application. It could be a timeline, map, or "before-and-after" graphic. Keep it simple and aligned with your main message.

4.Visuals speed up collaboration

Have you ever been in a meeting where everyone talks past each other? Different sectors and cultures often have their own language, and it can be hard to get on the same page.

I love using visuals, as they give you a shared language. Sketching ideas together in real-time helps people understand each other, build on ideas, and solve problems. When participants can point to the same image and say, “Yes, that’s what we mean,” momentum builds.

Visuals can bridge gaps between designers, scientists, policymakers, and community groups: People who may never speak the same professional language otherwise.

Practical Tip: Bring paper and markers to your next team meeting or workshop. Invite people to draw their ideas, no matter how rough. The act of sketching together builds understanding and trust.

5. Visual thinking spark new ideas

Sometimes, you don’t even know what you think until you draw it. Visual thinking helps people see connections, notice patterns, and explore new possibilities. For example, a team working on waste reduction realized, while sketching their supply chain, that they could collect and reuse more materials than they thought. That insight sparked an entirely new project stream, one that might be even stronger than the original and aligns more closely with your potential funders.

Practical Tip: Try mind mapping or journey mapping with visuals. Start with a central idea and branch out with arrows, sketches, or sticky notes. Don’t worry about making it pretty as you’re just exploring!

6. Visuals make your work shareable

This is one of my personal favourites. A strong visual is easy to share... it can travel through social media, presentations, community meetings, or reports. That means more people can learn from your work and connect with it in different ways. It’s a simple way to be inclusive while also reaching a wider audience. Plus, you’re creating more opportunities for yourself without adding extra work. You never know who might see it and want to collaborate.

For example, an infographic I created on urban development ended up being shared by several organizations and individuals in different roles, reaching far beyond the original audience. That visibility led to a new request from a new client: they asked me to design another infographic, this time on a different sustainable development topic.

Practical Tip: Create a simple graphic or explainer that sums up your project. Think of it like a poster or social media slide. Keep text minimal and focus on one message.

Final thoughts: Approach visuals as a strategy, not a nice to have. 

In sustainable development, we need to connect ideas, people, and actions across sectors and cultures. We have to meet people where they are, and that’s not always in a 100 page PDF. Visuals help us do that. They make our work clearer, more inclusive, and more impactful.

You don’t have to be an artist. You just have to be willing to think visually. A simple sketch could be the key to your next big opportunity, whether it’s a new collaboration, a grant, or a shared breakthrough.

So next time you start a project, ask yourself:

What does this idea look like?

• How can I show it, not just tell it?

• Who else can see this and build on it?

Need support with visuals for your project?

 I offer illustration and infographic design services tailored for the sustainable development sector. I have worked for over 10 years in this sector and see the major potential. With me, you don’t need to worry if I understand your stakeholders or context—we can dive straight into the subject. Whether you're looking to make your ideas clearer, reach more people, or strengthen your funding proposals, I'd love to help. Reach out to me here. 

 Cover photo by fauxels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-discuss-about-graphs-and-rates-3184292/