The Equator Initiative calls applications for Equator Prize 2021 on the theme Solving our Planetary Crisis. The Equator Prize 2021 recognizes an outstanding local community and Indigenous people’s initiatives. It basically advances innovative nature-based solutions for sustainable development. The winners will join a prestigious network of 255 leading community-based organizations from 83 countries that have been successful in winning the Equator Prize since 2002.

Prizes

Each Equator Prize winner will receive USD 10,000; will also participate in a series of policy dialogues and special events in the fall of 2021

Equator Prize 2021 theme: Solving our Planetary Crisis

This year’s Equator Prize will recognize innovative initiatives from local communities and Indigenous peoples that demonstrate exceptional achievements in nature-based solutions for local sustainable development. Winning initiatives will receive honour for their successes in protecting, restoring and/or sustainably managing biodiversity for positive development outcomes. Thematic priorities include:

• Action on Sustainable Food Systems: Protection, restoration and/or sustainable management of natural and agricultural ecosystems for food security.
• Action on Climate: Protection, restoration and/or sustainable management of ecosystems that help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and/or help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.
• Action on Nature and Green Economy: Protection, restoration and/or sustainable management of terrestrial or marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and/or wildlife that enables sustainable and green livelihoods, enterprises, and jobs, including Indigenous economies.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Equator Prize 2021

• The initiative must have been in existence for at least three years; and/or the actions must have been in place for at least three years.
• The nominee must also be either a local community-based initiative, operating in a rural area, based in a country receiving support from the United Nations Development Programme; or an initiative led by Indigenous peoples in any country, operating in a rural area.
• Furthermore, the actions taken by the nominee must be nature-based; and must deliver benefits related to two or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).