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Educational/technical resources createdEvents held (in-person or virtual)People formally or informally educated, trained, or mentoredMedia/communications/storytelling outputsPaleontological, paleoanthropological, historical, cultural, archaeological, or geologic sites, features, or processes studied and/or preservedSuccessfully field-tested technology product or prototype designs
Series 1 (Eye of the Sahara): 12 professionally-produced episodes exploring geology, archaeology, paleoclimatology, and the Atlantis hypothesisSeries 2 (Sustainable Design): 8-10 episodes documenting living architecture and permacultural systemsInteractive platform with embedded structured debates (Kialo-style), questionnaires, 3D model exploration, and community discussion featuresCurriculum materials for schools (K-12 and university level)2026 expedition to Eye of the Sahara with expanded scientific team (adding an archaeologist to 2021 team) generating new research dataFurther online 3D interactive models of structures accessible globally from Mauritania (Examples from the previous expedition: )A completed willowdome structure converted into educational spaces with interpretive signage that demonstrate our experiences from MauritaniaDocumented case studies of sustainable design integrated into Series 2 documentarySelf-sustaining funding model through donations, expedition participation, and school partnershipsPublished research papers from expedition findingsProfessional framework documenting how to create interactive documentaries for controversial topicsAnnual expeditions generating new research and contentTeacher training program certifying educators in interactive science pedagogyPresenting all the templates, storytelling structure, pre-production documents and budget planning on the production side of the project. Making our documentary production systems public, we intend to empower other upcoming educators to tell their stories more easily and in a more engaging way.New category/format created on website: Interactive docuseries
Donations: Website enables contributions to support ongoing research and content creationExpeditions: Annual expeditions to Eye of the Sahara open to paid participants, with free spots available through applicationSchool Partnerships: Episodes available for educational use; teacher training generates modest revenue through certification programsStructured debate interfaces where viewers can explore competing scientific interpretations of evidenceInteractive 3D models allowing spatial exploration of the Richat Structure and expedition locationsEmbedded questionnaires that prompt critical thinking rather than passive consumptionCommunity discussion forums connecting learners globallyScience Communication: We follow evidence-based practices for explaining complex topics accessibly without sacrificing rigorParticipatory Learning: Research shows active engagement increases retention and critical thinking—questionnaires and debates activate participationInterdisciplinary Collaboration: We maintain rigorous team structure (geologists, archaeologists, paleoclimatologists, etc.), following academic best practices for complex investigationsCommunity Partnership: Local Mauritanian collaboration throughout—not imposing external research but building genuine partnershipsTransparency: All sources, methods, and evidence presented openly—audiences see how conclusions develop
Third AI draft
National Geographic Society Grant Application: Enhanced Version
Project Information
Title of Project
"Decoding the Eye of the Sahara: Ancient Wisdom for Sustainable Futures"
Project Start Date
June 1, 2026
Primary Fieldwork Location
Country: Mauritania (Richat Structure/Eye of the Sahara)
Coordinates: 21.1269° N, 11.4016° W
Primary Fieldwork Location Start Date
October 1, 2026
Fieldwork End Date
October 21, 2026
Fieldwork Location Country or Area #2
Hungary (Budapest)
Fieldwork Location 2 Start Date
June 15, 2026
Fieldwork Location 2 End Date
May 30, 2027
Project End Date
May 31, 2027
Primary Focus Area
Human Histories & Cultures
Secondary Focus Area
Planetary Health
Primary Discipline
Storytelling
Secondary Discipline
Education
Expected Results Aligned with NGS' Mission
Project Leader Information
Project Leader Name
Gergely Áron Dzsida
Salutation
Mr.
How did you learn about this grant opportunity?
NGS website
Date of Birth
May 12, 1997
Current Position or Job Title
Independent Filmmaker and Sustainability Activist; Project Coordinator at Mély Mosoly Alapítvány
Institution/Organization
Mély Mosoly Alapítvány
Education Level
Undergraduate academic degree
Skills & Experience
As a filmmaker and sustainability activist with nearly four years dedicated to documentary development, I bring unique qualifications to this project. My 2021 expedition to the Richat Structure demonstrates my capacity to organize complex international fieldwork involving scientific collaboration. During this expedition, I led a team including geophysicists to document and create 3D models of structures at the site (available at ), which has already corrected inaccuracies present in existing documentaries, including National Geographic's "The Curse of Atlantis: Swallowed into the Sea."
My experience working with multiple NGOs (Humusz Szövetség, Fiatalok a Magyar Vidékért Alapítvány, Mély Mosoly Alapítvány, etc.) has developed my skills in stakeholder engagement and project management across diverse communities. I've successfully initiated two willowdome construction projects, demonstrating my ability to implement sustainable design principles in real-world settings.
My unique perspective comes from bridging seemingly disparate fields: archaeological investigation and sustainability innovation. While most approach these separately, I see powerful connections between understanding ancient resource management systems and developing modern sustainability solutions. My background in documentary filmmaking enables me to communicate complex scientific concepts in accessible, engaging formats that maintain rigorous standards while captivating general audiences.
The interactive documentary platform I've developed (, currently being updated to an even more interactive version) demonstrates my technical ability to create engaging educational content that bridges academic rigor with public accessibility.
Country of Primary Citizenship
Hungary
Project Leader Connection to Local Context
Our team has established meaningful connections in Mauritania through our 2021 expedition to the Eye of the Sahara. During this fieldwork, we developed working relationships with local guides, translators, and community members who remain active collaborators. Four key local partners—Sara, Sidi, Zeida, and Mahmud—provide essential cultural context, logistical support, and community connections.
I recognize Mauritania's unique challenges as one of the world's economically disadvantaged countries, which parallels my experience working in Nógrád County, one of Europe's most economically challenged regions. This perspective helps me approach international collaboration with cultural sensitivity and awareness of local economic realities.
While I don't personally speak Hassaniya Arabic, our team includes members with Arabic language capabilities, and we work with local translators to ensure effective communication. Our approach emphasizes genuine partnership rather than extractive research—local collaborators are credited contributors to our work, and our educational materials highlight local knowledge systems alongside scientific analysis.
In Hungary, I'm deeply embedded in the sustainability and educational communities through my work with multiple NGOs and my willowdome construction projects, which serve as educational sites demonstrating sustainable building techniques.
Local Collaborator
Yes
Project Details
Brief Project Summary
What if the legendary lost city of Atlantis could teach us something real about building sustainable futures? The Eye of the Sahara—a mysterious circular rock formation in Mauritania—has sparked public fascination and speculation for years. Rather than dismiss this curiosity, we're channeling it into rigorous scientific investigation.
Our project creates two interactive documentary series. The first explores the Eye of the Sahara through real science: geology, archaeology, and paleoclimatology. We ask the questions people want answered—Could this be connected to the Atlantis legend? What do ancient civilizations tell us about environmental change?—but we show the actual evidence and let audiences think through the science themselves using interactive debates and 3D models. The second series demonstrates sustainable solutions by showcasing buildings made from living plants that grow over time.
Here's what's genuinely different: most content about Atlantis is either sensationalized or too academic. This project does something new - it shows how real science works on a topic people actually care about. We want audiences to experience the investigative process, not just consume conclusions. By learning how scientists think about controversial questions, people develop better judgment for understanding the world around them.
Background
Alternative history content about the Atlantis legend and mysterious geological formations has exploded across social media and streaming platforms, reflecting genuine human curiosity about our past. However, most lacks scientific rigor—sources are unclear, speculation presented as fact, and audiences lack tools to think critically. Meanwhile, mainstream research remains inaccessible to general audiences. This gap is urgent: scientific literacy now depends on populations that can distinguish evidence from speculation, yet trust in traditional science communication has eroded. The Eye of the Sahara attracts global interest—this worldwide curiosity creates an exceptional teaching opportunity.
Our project fills this gap by combining academic rigor with engaging storytelling through interactive documentaries that make scientific thinking visible. Rather than presenting conclusions, audiences encounter structured debates between scientists, explore 3D models, and engage with questionnaires that teach critical thinking experientially. We maintain rigorous standards (peer-reviewed methods, transparent evidence, expert collaboration) while remaining genuinely accessible. This project is part of "Together Projects"—a comprehensive sustainability education initiative connecting historical understanding to future-building. By investigating how past civilizations responded to environmental change and what the Atlantis story teaches about unsustainable practices, we help audiences understand why this ancient mystery matters to contemporary sustainability crises. The second documentary series on sustainable design demonstrates practical applications.
We have already paved the way when it comes to the foundations of the project. In 2021 we traveled to the Eye of the Sahara with a geophysicist and created 3D documentation of the mysterious structures that are sparking curiosity worldwide. We published the results about these ruins, which are also mentioned incorrectly in a NatGeo documentary - "The Curse of Atlantis: Swallowed into the Sea" ().
We have already established connections with locals so in the future we would be able to plan a much more ambitious expedition revealing the secrets of the Richat Structure, and to make it accessible to the public via the interactive documentary series. The ultimate goal is to learn from the past, and make it an eye-opening experience even for the uninformed eye.
Our interviews with interdisciplinary scientists (documented at ) provide a strong foundation of expert knowledge spanning geology, archaeology, anthropology, and sustainability science. This interdisciplinary approach allows us to examine the Eye of the Sahara from multiple perspectives, creating a more complete understanding than single-discipline investigations can offer.
In parallel, we've initiated two willowdome building projects in Hungary that demonstrate sustainable architectural principles. These living structures serve as both educational sites and practical demonstrations of how ancient building techniques can inform modern sustainability practices. By connecting these seemingly disparate projects, we create a powerful narrative bridge between understanding our past and building our future.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Produce Two Professionally-Completed Interactive Documentary Series
What will change: Audiences worldwide will have access to rigorous, engaging scientific content about the Eye of the Sahara and sustainable design that models how real science investigates controversial topics.
Outputs:
Who is impacted: Global audiences (initial target: 500,000+ viewers in first 12 months); educators integrating content into curricula; students in 50+ partner schools; general public seeking quality science communication.
Success measures: Documentary series published and publicly available; viewership metrics tracked; platform reaches 500,000+ viewers; 50+ schools integrate episodes into teaching; pre/post-assessment shows knowledge gains in scientific thinking and understanding of geological/historical topics.
Goal 2: Complete Educational Infrastructure
What will change: Educational installations demonstrating sustainable design principles, creating ongoing learning opportunities for local and international visitors in Hungary.
Outputs:
Who is impacted: Local communities both in Mauritania and Hungary (educational opportunities, employment); international researchers and students (field study sites); global audiences (through 3D models and documentary); schools and universities (educational resources).
Success measures: 2026 expedition completed with new data collected, Further 3D models launched and accessible by the end of 2026; local partnerships established during the expedition; Willowdome completed and operational as educational site, visitor engagement tracked; educational programs delivered to local schools.
Goal 3: Establish Sustainable Model for Ongoing Research and Education
What will change: The project will demonstrate a replicable model for science communication that responsibly engages public curiosity while maintaining scientific integrity, creating a template for other educational initiatives.
Outputs:
Who is impacted: Scientific community (new research contributions, methodology innovations); educators worldwide (accessible teaching model); future documentary projects (replicable framework); students and lifelong learners (ongoing educational opportunities).
Success measures: Post-launch sustainability achieved (donations/expeditions generating revenue); at least 1 peer-reviewed publication from expedition data; 10+ educators trained in interactive pedagogy; annual expeditions continuing beyond grant funding; framework documented and shared with other organizations; project continuing independently 3+ years after initial NGS funding.
Connection to Larger Vision:
This project is Phase 1 of "Together Projects"—a comprehensive educational initiative connecting understanding humanity's past with building sustainable futures. By demonstrating rigorous investigation of historical mysteries (Goal 1), establishing permanent educational infrastructure (Goal 2), and proving a sustainable model (Goal 3), we create the foundation for expanding this approach to other topics where public curiosity exceeds reliable information. Success here proves that rigorous science and public engagement are not mutually exclusive.
Activities or Methods
Phase 1: Foundation & Planning (Months 1-3)
We begin with documentary production planning. Our team, led by Gergely Áron Dzsida, completed a 2-week expedition to the Eye of the Sahara in 2021 and interviewed seven scientists across multiple disciplines (documented at ). We have raw footage, interview recordings, and geological data. Phase 1 involves organizing this material, conducting additional interviews with the 2021 team, and planning the 2026 expedition with archaeological expertise added. Simultaneously, we'll have the resources to finish developing the interactive platform architecture (prototype: ) — designing the Kialo-style debate interface, questionnaire system, and 3D model integration. We establish partnerships with educational institutions.
Phase 2: Content Production (Months 4-12)
Series 1 (Eye of the Sahara): We produce 12 episodes in professional quality. Each episode focuses on a distinct theme (geology, archaeology, paleoclimatology, mythology, etc.). Rather than traditional documentary structure, each episode includes embedded interactive elements: structured debates between scientists on contentious interpretations, questionnaires prompting viewer critical thinking, 3D models enabling spatial exploration of the Richat Structure and expedition locations, and expert commentary explaining methodology. We hire professional cinematographers, editors, and science communicators, ensuring quality comparable to National Geographic productions.
Series 2 (Sustainable Design): We document the willowdome building process and the already started permacultural gardens. Episodes show construction techniques, natural growth processes, ecological integration, and practical applications. Each follows the same interactive format as Series 1.
Platform Development: The interactive platform launches with core features functional. Audiences access episodes, engage with debates, complete questionnaires, and explore 3D models. Community discussion forums connect learners globally.
Phase 3: Educational Infrastructure & Fieldwork (Months 6-18)
Willowdome Completion: We complete and convert both willowdome structures into permanent educational installations. Interpretive signage explains construction techniques, ecological function, and cultural significance. 3D models are finalized and launched online for global access.
2026 Expedition: In Fall 2026, we conduct a second expedition to the Eye of the Sahara. Building on 2021 foundations, this expedition includes an archaeologist (strengthening scientific credibility) and generates new research data. Participants combine professional researchers with citizen science volunteers (both funded participants and scholarship recipients ensuring accessibility). Expedition outcomes feed back into documentary production—new footage, interviews, and data enhance Series 1 content.
School Partnerships: We establish relationships with 50+ schools across multiple continents. We provide curriculum materials, train educators in interactive pedagogy, and support integration of episodes into teaching.
Phase 4: Launch & Sustainability (Months 13-24)
Full Launch: Documentary series completed and publicly released through platforms including National Geographic channels and the project website.
Sustainability Mechanisms Activated:
Evaluation & Iteration: We conduct impact assessments—tracking viewership, analyzing pre/post-learning gains, gathering educator feedback. Results inform Year 2 content and methodology adjustments.
Why This Plan Achieves Our Goals:
For Goal 1 (Documentary Series): Our team has proven capacity—Gergely led successful 2021 expedition with interdisciplinary scientist collaboration. We're not starting from zero; we're professionally finishing work already underway. The interactive format directly teaches scientific methodology by making thinking visible, not just presenting conclusions. This approach addresses the core problem: audiences learn how science works, not just what scientists found.
For Goal 2 (Educational Infrastructure): By combining documentary production with parallel willowdome completion and field research, we create reinforcing activities. The structures become both practical education sites and living case studies featured in documentary content. The 2026 expedition generates fresh data improving content quality.
For Goal 3 (Sustainability): Our three-pronged funding model (donations, expeditions, school partnerships) is proven across similar projects. By establishing operations and proving value during the grant period, we create strong foundations for independent continuation.
Innovation & Best Practices:
What's New: Traditional documentaries separate production from audience engagement—viewers consume content passively. Our interactive documentary format embeds scientific methodology into viewing itself. Audiences don't just watch scientists discuss evidence; they participate in scientific thinking through structured debates, questionnaires, and interactive models. This transforms education from passive consumption to active inquiry.
Our interactive platform prototype () demonstrates our technical approach. The platform integrates:
This technical framework transforms traditional documentary viewing from passive consumption to active inquiry—viewers don't just learn what scientists think but experience how scientific thinking works.
Best Practices Integration:
Timeline Realism: We've built in contingencies. Documentary production uses existing 2021 material as foundation. Willowdome structures are partially complete, not starting from scratch. The 2026 expedition builds on established relationships and logistics. This isn't speculative; it's building on proven groundwork.
Risks
Risk 1: Political/Security Challenges in Mauritania
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