The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and its partners announce the winners of the 15th Equator Prize, recognizing eleven Indigenous Peoples and local communities from eight countries spanning Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The winning organizations demonstrate how innovative, nature-based solutions can enable communities to achieve their local development goals while building community resilience amidst economic, environmental and political challenges. This year’s awardees join a network of 285 communities who have been recognized since 2002. 

The cohort of Equator Prize 2024 winners also highlight the theme of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples: “Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact.” Five winners are Indigenous-led initiatives, all committed to biodiversity conservation and cultural heritage preservation. It is essential to honor and support Indigenous Peoples and local communities as Earth stewards given their essential role in unlocking effective climate solutions and leading the way for a nature-positive future for humanity and the planet.

The honorees, selected from a pool of over 600 nominations from 102 countries, hail from Brazil, Bangladesh, Colombia, Iran, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, and Zambia. Each will receive US$15,000 and the opportunity to take part in a series of special virtual events associated with the UN General Assembly, Summit of the Future, the UNDP Nature for Life Hub, Biodiversity COP 16 in Colombia, and Climate COP 29 in Azerbaijan. The two awardees from Brazil will receive additional direct financial support from Instituto Alok in the amount of US$5,000 to scale up further their initiatives.