Equator Prize 2019

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples and local communities pioneering nature-based solutions to climate change and for sustainable development

The 10th Equator Prize Award Ceremony honoured 22 local and indigenous communities from across the world in a gala event in New York, coinciding with the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit and the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly. 1,500 leading thinkers, policymakers, and business and civil society leaders from around the globe gathered in the sold-out Town Hall theater in New York, hosted by the Equator Initiative partnership, to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary initiatives created by 22 Indigenous Peoples and local communities from 16 countries. The winners were awarded a cash prize of US$10,000 each for their significant work that showcases innovative, nature-based solutions for tackling climate change and sustainable development. The winners are sustainably protecting, restoring, and managing forests, farms, wetlands, and marine ecosystems to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, help communities adapt to climate change, and create a green new economy.

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Equator Prize 2017

Award Ceremony: 17 September 2017 - The Town Hall Theater, New York City

The 9th Equator Prize Award Ceremony honored 15 winners in a gala event in New York, coinciding with the Global Goals Week and the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly. On 17 September, leading thinkers, policy-makers, business and civil society leaders from around the globe gathered in The Town Hall theater in New York, hosted by the Equator Initiative partnership, to celebrate the extraordinary initiatives and innovations brought about by Indigenous Peoples and local communities from 12 countries. The winners were recognized for their significant work to create scalable, nature-based solutions to address biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, gender empowerment, land rights, and food and water security.

Equator Prize 2017 Winners

• Alianza Internacional de Reforestación (AIRES)
• Asosiasi Usaha Homestay Lokal Kabupaten Raja Ampat
• Associação Ashaninka do Rio Amônia Apiwtxa
• Associação Terra Indígena Xingu (ATIX)
• Baltistan Wildlife Conservation and Development Organization (BWCDO)
• Community Baboon Sanctuary Women's Conservation Group (CBSWCG)
• Community Mangrove Forest Conservation of Baan Bang La
• Federación Tribus Pech de Honduras (FETRIPH)
• Organización para la Defensa y Conservación Ecológica de Intag (DECOIN)
• Mikoko Pamoja
• Public Foundation “Zhassyl Azyk” (Общественный фонд "Жасыл Азык")
• Swayam Shikshan Prayog
• The Kuruwitu Conservation & Welfare Association
• The Mali Elephant Project
• Yayasan Planet Indonesia

Equator Prize 2015

Award Ceremony: 7 December 2015 - Théâtre Mogador, Paris, France

The Equator Prize 2015 Award Ceremony was held as a high-level contribution to the historic United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 21st Conference of the Parties (UNFCCC COP21) held between 30 November and 12 December 2015 in Paris, France. The goal of the conference was to convene nearly 200 governments from around the world to agree on a binding framework to address climate change.

Equator Prize 2015 Winners

• Comité para la Defensa y Desarrollo de la Flora y Fauna del Golfo de Fonseca (CODDEFFAGOLF)
• FORMADAT: The Alliance of the Indigenous Peoples of the
• Highlands in the Heart of Borneo
• Green Watershed
• Instituto Raoni
• Kayonza Growers Tea Factory
• Kelompok Peduli Lingkungan Belitung
• Komunitas Adat Muara Tae
• La Dynamique des Groupes des Peuples Autochtones- Congo, Democratic Republic
• Maya Leaders Alliance of Southern Belize
• Movimento Ipereg Ayu
• Mtandao wa Jamii wa Usimamizi wa Misitu Tanzania (MJUMITA)
• Muskitia Asla Takanka (MASTA)
• Oromia Pastoralist Association (OPA)
• Prey Lang Community Network (PLCN)
• South Central People’s Development Association
• Umbrella Group of Naghadeh NGOs
• Union Soamitambatra
• Wanang Conservation Area
• Wuasikamas, el Modelo del Pueblo Inga en Aponte

Equator Prize 2014

Award Ceremony: 22 September 2014 - Lincoln Center, New York City

In support of the UN Secretary General’s Climate Summit and the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, UNDP and partners hosted the Equator Prize 2014 Award Ceremony at Lincoln Center on Monday, 22 September 2014. Attended by more than 2,400 people, the evening was a celebration of leadership by indigenous and local communities working to meet climate and development challenges through the conservation and sustainable use of nature. The Academy Awards-style program featured a high-level reception, awards program, keynote speeches, videos (narrated by actor Alec Baldwin), program launches, and musical performances.

Equator Prize 2014 Winners

• Tulele Peisa
• Mouvman Peyizan 3e Seksyon Kanperen (MP3K)
• Makoni Organic Farmers Association
• Organisation pour l’Environnment et le Développement Durable
• Jeffrey Town Farmers Association
• WUA "Ob Umed" (Water is Hope)
• Amical Bè Ôko
• Koolel-Kab/Muuchkambal
• Conservation Area Management Committee, Parche
• Plate-forme de Concertation pour le Développement Durable de la Baie d’Antongil
• Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC)
• Comunidad Indígena de Manquemapu
• Asociación Comunitaria “Bolívar Tello Cano”
• Uplift the Rural Poor
• Traditional Healer Association, Chhattisgarh
• The Pendeba Society of the Tibet Autonomous Region
• Association de Gestion Intégrée des Ressources
• Asociación de Mujeres Waorani del Ecuador
• Asociación de Capitanes Indígenas de Yaigojé Apaporis
• Alliance for Integrated Development
• Al-Heswa Wetland Protected Area
• Akdeniz Koruma Derneği (Mediterranean Conservation Society)
• Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program

Equator Prize for Sustainable Land Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

Award Ceremony: 17 June 2014 - Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi

The Equator Prize for Sustainable Land Management (SLM) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) recognizes and celebrates local grassroots organizations that are improving the livelihoods of rural communities in dryland ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa through sustainable land management.

The Equator Prize for SLM in Sub-Saharan Africa was awarded for the first time in Nairobi Kenya, on 17 June 2014, to commemorate the World Day to Combat Desertification. Twelve winning initaitives from 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa received $5,000 USD and were invited to Nairobi for a 3-day capacity building workshop and award ceremony. Three of the SLM winners were also selected to receive the Equator Prize 2014, and were supported to participate in a series of events held in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly, scheduled for September 2014 in New York.

The Equator Prize for Sustainable Land Management in Sub-Saharan Africa is a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project, implemented by the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA), ENDA Tiers Monde, UNDP’s Equator Initiative, and UNDP Namibia. The project seeks to improve the socio-economic development of rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa through sustainable land management, and to empower local grassroots organizations in sub-Saharan Africa to participate and influence the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), TerrAfrica, and other SLM processes, programs and policies.

Equator Prize for Sustainable Land Management in Sub-Sahara Africa Winners

• Association des Pépiniéristes et Planteurs de Tône-Ouest (Association of Nursery Workers and Horticulturists of West Tône)
• Association Tchadienne des Volontaires pour la Protection de l'Environnement (ATVPE, Chadian Volunteers’ Association for the Protection of the Environment)
• Association Zoramb Naagtaaba (AZN, Zoramb Naagtaaba Association)
• Fédération des Unions de Producteurs de Maradi Gaskiya (FUMA Gaskiya, Gaskiya Federation of Maradi Farmers Unions)
• Heiveld Co-operative
• Integrated Development in Focus
• Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre
• Matumizi Bora ya Malihai Idodi na Pawaga (MBOMIPA) Wildlife Management Area
• Northern Rangelands Trust
• Shewula Trust
• Union des Associations Villageoises de Gestion des Réserves de Faune de la Pendjari (AVIGREF, Union of Village Associations for the Management of Pendjari Wildlife Reserve)
• Utooni Development Organization

Equator Prize 2012

Award Ceremony: 20 June 2012 - Vivo Rio, Rio de Janeiro

In August 2011, UNDP Equator Initiative announced the call for nominations for the Equator Prize 2012, which recognized 25 outstanding local initiatives that are working to advance sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The 25 recipients of the Equator Prize 2012 each received $5,000 (USD), with 10 selected for special recognition and a total of $20,000 (USD). Representatives of winning communities participated in the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), which was held in Brazil in June 2012.

Equator Prize 2012 Winners

• Centro Alexander von Humboldt (Alexander von Humboldt Center)
• Amsing Association
• Mradi Wa Mfuko Wa Dhamana Ya Hifadhi Ya Mazingira Na Wamasai Jangwani (MWCT, Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust)
• Abrha Weatsbha Community
• Zenab for Women in Development
• Zan va Zamin (Women and Earth)
• Yayasan Kerang Lestari Teluk Pemuteran (Pemuteran Bay Coral Protection Foundation)
• West Africa Initiative of Liberia (WAIOL)
• TRY Oyster Women's Association
• Tetepare Descendants’ Association (TDA)
• Swazi Indigenous Products (SIP)
• Shashwat
• Namdrik Atoll Local Resources Committee
• Medicinal Plants Association, St. Catherine
• La Asociación de Juntas Administradoras de Agua del Sector Sur de Pico Bonito (AJAASSPIB, Association of Water Committees of the Southern Sector of Pico Bonito National Park)
• Kanghua Community Development Center
• I-tokani nei Sisi (Sisi Initiative Site Support Group)
• Grupo de Estudios Ambientales y Sociales A.C. (GEA, Environmental and Social Studies Group)
• Comité Villageois de Développement d’Ando Kpomey (Village Development Committee of Ando Kpomey)
• Chunoti Co-Management Committee
• Association des Pêcheurs de la Communauté Rurale de Mangagoulack (APCRM, Fishers' Association of the Rural Community of Mangagoulack)
• Association Anja Miray (Anja Miray Association)
• Asociación de Artesanas Unidas de Los Límites (ASOARTESANAS, United Women Artisans' Association of Los Límites)
• Articulação Pacari (Pacari Network)
• Asociación de Mujeres Ixpiyakok (ADEMI, Ixpiyakok Women's Association)

Equator Prize 2010

Award Ceremony: 12 September 2010 - UN General Assembly, New York City

Twenty-five winners were selected from a field of finalists to receive the Equator Prize 2010 and US$5,000 each. Five of these communities received a special recognition prize of US$15,000. Special recognition was awarded in the following categories: one for each region of eligibility (Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean), one to the initiative that best exemplifies Indigenous Peoples’ use of traditional knowledge, and one to the initiative that best exemplifies ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change.

Equator Prize 2010 Winners

• Trowel Development Foundation
• Samudram Women’s Federation
• Roush Marine Protected Area Community, Socotra
• Reserva y Ecolodge Kapawi (Kapawi Ecolodge and Reserve)
• Réseau de Développement de Réserves naturelles Communautaires (REDERC, Community Nature Reserve Development Network)
• Red Indígena de Turismo de México (Indigenous Tourism Network of Mexico)
• Nguzobe Ndi-Oji-Obere (Smallholders Foundation)
• Muliru Farmers Conservation Group
• Monks Community Forest
• Mara River Water Users Association
• Makuleke Ecotourism Project - Pafuri Camp- South Africa
• Làng tre Phú An (Bamboo Village of Phu An)
• Komunitas Nelayan Tomia (KOMUNTO, Fishing Community of Tomia)
• Fundación San Crisanto (San Crisanto Foundation)
• Fundación para la Agricultura Tropical Alternativa y el Desarrollo Integral (FUNDATADI, Foundation for Alternative Tropical Agriculture and Sustainable Development)
• Fédération Locale des GIE de Niodior (FELOGIE-Niodior, Local Federation of Economic Interest Groups of Niodior)
• Farmers’ Association for Rural Upliftment (FARU)
• Consejo Regional Tsimané Mosetene (CRTM, Tsimané Mosetene Regional Council of Pilón Lajas)
• Centre de Ressources en Agroforesterie de Riba (Riba Agroforestry Resource Centre)
• Carnaúba Viva
• Association Adidy Maitso (Adidy Maitso Association)
• Associação dos Pequenos Agrossilvicultores do Projeto RECA (Association of Smallholder Agroforestry Producers RECA Project)
• Associação Comunitária Nova Experiência Marítima da Cruzinha da Garça (ACNEMC, Community Marine Association of Cruzinha da Garça)
• Yayasan Mitra Tani Mandiri (Foundation for Partnership with Independent Farmers)

Equator Prize 2008

Award Ceremony: 1 October 2008 - Palo Alto, Barcelona

Twenty-five winners were selected from a field of finalists to receive the Equator Prize 2008 and US$5,000 each. Five of these communities received special recognition and an additional US$15,000. In addition to worldwide recognition for their work as well as an opportunity to help shape national and global policy and practice in the field, all nominees for the Prize became part of the Equator Initiative’s global network and are profiled in the Equator Initiative biodiversity best practice database. Special recognition was given in the following categories: one for each region of eligibility (Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean), one to the initiative that best exemplifies community approaches to adapt to climate change, and one to the initiative that best exemplifies the conservation of agricultural biodiversity. The Equator Prize was presented in October 2008, at the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Equator Prize 2008 Winners

• Yayasan Pengelolaan Lokal Kawasan Laut (Community-based Marine Management Foundation)
• Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS)
• Unión de Organizaciones Campesinas e Indígenas de Cotacachi (UNORCAC, Union of Farmer and Indigenous Organizations of Cotacachi)
• Tmatboey Community Protected Area Committee
• Timu ya Rasilimali ya Jamii ya Ujamaa (Ujamaa Community Resource Team)
• Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS)
• N≠a Jaqna Conservancy
• Nguna-Pele Marine and Land Protected Area Network
• Kwetu Training Centre for Sustainable Development
• Kijabe Environment Volunteers (KENVO)
• Fédération Régionale des Groupements de Promotion Féminine de la région de Ziguinchor (FRGPF-Z, Regional Federation of Women’s Advancement Groups, Ziguinchor)
• Corporación Serraniagua (Serraniagua Corporation)
• Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP)
• Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO)
• Community Development Centre (CDC)
• Chalalán Albergue Ecológico (Chalalán Eco-lodge)
• Centre for Biodiversity Protection and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources (Poloprobio)
• Centre d’Appui au Developpement Integral Mbankana (CADIM, Mbankana Centre for Integrated Development)
• Camalandaan Agroforestry Farmers’ Association (CAFA)
• Associação Sociocultural Yawanawá (ASCYAWANAWA, Sociocultural Association of Yawanawá)
• Asociación de Productores Indígenas y Campesinos (ASPROINCA, Association of Indigenous and Peasant Producers)
• Asociación de Pobladores por el Progreso y Desarrollo de Campo Amor, Zarumilla (ASPOPRODECAZ, Residents’ Association for the Progress and Development of Campo Amor, Zarumilla)
• Asociación de Artesanas de Arbolsol y Huaca de Barro (AAAHB, Women Artisans’ Association of Arbolsol and Huaca de Barro)
• Asociación de Apicultores de la Reserva de Tariquía (AART, Tariquía Reserve Beekeepers’ Association)
• Arnavon Community Marine Conservation Area Management Committee

Equator Prize 2006

Award Ceremony: 1st June 2007 - Museum of Natural History, Berlin

Five winners were selected from a field of finalists to receive the Equator Prize 2006. In addition to international recognition for their work and an opportunity to help shape international policy and practice in the field, winners each received a prize of US$30,000. All nominees for the prize became part of the Equator Initiative’s global network and are profiled in the Equator Initiative biodiversity best practice database. One prize was awarded in each region of eligibility (Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia and the Pacific), one to a community-based project in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one to the project that best exemplifies sustainable biodiversity-based business. Adding to the excitement of this year's Equator Prize, a 2006 finalist and a 2002 or 2004 finalist were selected to receive a renowned Pride campaign, supported by international conservation nonprofit and new Equator Initiative partner, Rare.

Equator Prize 2006 Winners

• Shompole Community Trust
• Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha
• Pôle des Actions d’Intégration des Droits Humains en Afrique (PACINDHA, African Centre for the Integration of Human Rights)
• PENAGMANNAK
• OL Sepik I Lukautim Wara Na PukPuk (Sepik Wetlands Management Initiative)
• Nam Ha Ecotourism Project
• Kipsaina Cranes and Wetlands Conservation Group
• Hifadhi ya Asili ya Amani (Amani Nature Reserve)
• Fondation Pole Pole (Pole Pole Foundation)
• Federacion Plurinacional de Turismo Comunitario del Ecuador (FEPTCE, Multinational Federation of Community Tourism in Ecuador)
• Dự án bảo tồn đồng cỏ bàng Phú Mỹ (Phu My Lepironia Wetland Conservation Project)
• Coope Tárcoles
• Community Tours Sian Ka’an (CTSK)
• Collectif des Groupements d'Interest Economiques des Femmes pour la Protection de la Nature (COPRONAT, Collective of Women’s Groups for the Protection of Nature)
• Center for Empowerment and Resource Development
• Association Songtaab-Yalgré (ASY, Songtaab-Yalgré Association)
• Amal-Krabbei Tabu Eria (AKTE, Amal-Crab Bay Community Resource Management Initiative)
• Asociación para la Investigación y el Desarrollo Integral (AIDER, Association for Research and Integrated Development)
• Asociación de Mujeres de Isabela 'Pescado Azul' (Pescado Azul Women’s Association of Isabela)
• Asociación Bio-Itzá (Bio-Itzá Association)
• Alimentos Nutri-Naturales (ANSA)
• Aharam Traditional Crops Producers’ Company
• Le Village d’Andavadoaka (Village of Andavadoaka)
• FrutaSã Indústria, Comércio e Exportação Ltda (FrutaSã Industry, Trade and Export Ltd.)

Equator Prize 2004

Award Ceremony: 1st February 2004 - Kuala Lumpur

The Equator Prize honors outstanding community projects that effectively reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.Equator Initiative's biennial Equator Prize is awarded to recognize communities from developing countries in the tropical belt that demonstrate in practical terms successful simultaneous efforts to conserve biodiversity and reduce poverty.The winners were announced in Malaysia at the Seventh Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Equator Prize 2004 Winners

• Comunidad Indígena de Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro (Indigenous Community of Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro)
• Comité de Emergencia Garífuna (CEGAH, Garífuna Emergency Committee)
• Torra Conservancy
• Sociedade Civil Mamirauá
• Rush and Reed Conservation and Diversification Program
• Red De Mujeres Productoras Y Comercializadores De Plantas Medicinales Y Aromaticas De Quibdo (Women’s Medicinal Plant Producers Network, Quibdó)
• Proyecto Nasa (Nasa Project)
• Pred Nai Mangrove Conservation and Development Group
• Pastoralist Integrated Support Programme (PISP)
• Mradi wa Usimamizi wa Mazingira Rufiji (Rufiji Environment Management Project)
• Komunitas Ngata Toro (Ngata Toro Community)
• Junta de Manejo Participativo Pesquero de Puerto Cayo (Participatory Fisheries Management Board of Puerto Cayo)
• Guassa-Menz Community Conservation Area
• Genetic Resource, Energy, Ecology and Nutrition (GREEN) Foundation
• Fundación Pro Reserva Forestal Monte Alto (Foundation for Monte Alto Forest Reserve)
• École Instrument de Paix (EIP-Niger, Instrument of Peace School)
• Dewan Penasihat Pengelolaan Taman Nasional Bunaken (BNPMAB, Bunaken National Park Management Advisory Board)
• Consevesen Melenesia (Conservation Melanesia)
• Chibememe Earth Healing Association (CHIEHA)
• Chama Cha Maendeleo Ya Vijiji Na Mazingira Cha Kibale (KAFRED, Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development)
• Capitania del Alto y Bajo Izozog (CABI, Captaincy of the Upper and Lower Izozog)
• Atụmatụ Ekuri (Ekuri Initiative)
• Asociación de Trabajadores Autónomos San Rafael, Tres Cruces y Yurac Rumi (ASARATY, Autonomous Workers’ Association of San Rafael, Tres Cruces, and Yurac Rumi)
• Kalinga Mission for Indigenous Children and Youth Development, Inc. (KAMICYDI)
• Groupe d’Initiative Commune des éleveurs de la Communauté Itoh (Itoh Community Graziers Common Initiative Group)
• MESCOT

Equator Prize 2002

Award Ceremony: 30 August 2002 - Crown Plaza Hotel, Johannesburg

The Equator Prize is awarded to recognize and celebrate outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation of biodiversity. As sustainable community initiatives take root throughout the tropics, they are laying the foundation for a global movement of local successes that are collectively making a significant contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Equator Prize 2002 Winners

• Community-Based Integrated Rural Development (CBIRD) Centre, Sub Tai
• Ukuzaji Wa Asali Arica (Honey Care Africa)
• Tribal Communities of the Jeypore Tract of Orissa
• Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE)
• Sociedades Cooperativas de Producción Pesquera de Cozumel y Vigía Chico (Fish Production Cooperative Societies of Cozumel and Vigia Chico)
• Ranchi Ya Il Ngwesi (Il Ngwesi Group Ranch)
• Programa de Campesino a Campesino (PCAC, Farmer-to-Farmer Program)
• Persatuan Penduduk Uma Bawang (UBRA, Uma Bawang Residents’ Association)
• Parc Marin de Mohéli (Mohéli Marine Park)
• Organización de Manejo y Conservación (OMYC, Uaxactún, Management and Conservation Organization)
• Medicinal Plants Conservation Centre
• Matabose E Qarava Na Veika Vakai- Qoliqoli E Viti (Fiji Locally-Managed Marine Area Network)
• Kerala Kani Community Welfare Trust
• Jamii ya Msitu wa Suledo (Suledo Forest Community)
• Iniciativa Talamanca (Talamanca Initiative)
• Hifadhi Ardhi Shinyanga (HASHI, Shinyanga Soil Conservation Programme)
• Fikambanan’ny Terak’i Manambolo (FITEMA, Association of Manambolo Natives)
• Empresa Forestal Integrada de Bayamo (Integrated Forestry Enterprise of Bayamo)
• Couro Vegetal da Amazônia
• Cooperativa dos Produtos de Ostras de Cananéia (Cooperostra, Oyster Producers’ Cooperative of Cananéia)
• Consorcio Interinstitucional para una Agricultura Sostenible En Ladera (CIPASLA, Inter-institutional Consortium for Sustainable Agriculture)
• Comunidad Nativa Ese’eja de Infierno (Ese'eja Native Community of Infierno)
• Café la Selva
• Bolsa Amazônia
• Associação Vida Verde da Amazônia (AVIVE, Green Life Association of Amazonia)
• Asociación de Comunidades Forestales de Petén (ACOFOP, Association of Forest Communities of Petén)
• Cellule d'Appui à la Conservation et aux Initiatives de Developpement Durable (CACID, Support Group for Conservation and Sustainable Development Initiatives)
• Agencia para el Desarrollo de la Mosquitia (MOPAWI, Agency for the Development of the Mosquitia)