What is the Equator Prize?
The Equator Prize, organized by the Equator Initiative within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is a prestigious biennial award that honors outstanding community-led initiatives focused on poverty reduction through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. By celebrating these innovative efforts, the Equator Prize amplifies the voices of local and Indigenous communities that are driving positive environmental and social change, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Selection Criteria
An independent Technical Advisory Committee evaluates nominations based on the following key criteria:
- Impact: The initiative must demonstrate measurable environmental, social, and economic benefits aligned with at least two SDGs.
- Innovation: The project should introduce novel approaches and solutions that address existing challenges in sustainable development.
- Scalability and Replicability: The initiative should have the potential to be expanded regionally or nationally and serve as a model for replication.
- Resilience and Adaptability: The project must showcase the ability to withstand external pressures and adapt to changing environmental, social, and economic conditions.
- Reduced Inequalities: The initiative should promote inclusivity and bridge socio-economic and demographic disparities.
- Social Inclusion: The project must engage youth, elders, Indigenous communities, and other diverse groups in decision-making and implementation.
- Gender Equality: The initiative should foster the empowerment of women and girls.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Equator Prize, nominees must meet the following requirements:
- The initiative must have been operational for at least three years.
- The nominee must be a community-based group operating in a rural area within a UNDP-supported country or an Indigenous Peoples’ community from any country.
- The actions taken must be nature-based and contribute to at least two SDGs.
Eligible Initiatives
The Equator Prize recognizes a diverse range of community-led initiatives, including:
- Community-based associations and organizations
- Community-based enterprises and cooperatives
- Women’s associations or organizations
- Indigenous or ethnic minority groups or associations
- Youth groups or associations
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Eligible Countries
The Equator Prize is open to local community-based groups from a wide range of countries across various regions:
Middle East and North Africa
Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Asia and the Pacific
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Global North (Indigenous Peoples’ Nominations Only)
Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.
Nominate Now or Click Here to Apply Now
Do you know of a local initiative making a tangible impact on environmental sustainability and poverty reduction? Nominate them for the Equator Prize today and help highlight their transformative contributions to a global audience.
For more details on the nomination process and past winners, visit our Equator Initiative website.
About the Equator Initiative The Equator Initiative is a UNDP-led partnership that promotes sustainable development solutions driven by local and Indigenous communities. Through the Equator Prize, knowledge-sharing platforms, and policy advocacy, we aim to scale up successful grassroots solutions for global impact.
