The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and its partners are pleased to announce the winners of the Equator Prize 2024. Celebrating its 15th cycle, this year's Equator Prize honors eleven Indigenous Peoples and local communities from eight countries spanning Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. They were chosen from a competitive pool of more than 600 nominations from 102 countries.
Under the theme of 'Nature for Climate Action,' the 2024 winners exemplify the transformative potential of Indigenous and locally-led nature-based solutions in combating the climate crisis. They champion initiatives that not only protect, conserve, and restore ecosystems but also integrate nature into planning frameworks, preserve cultural heritage, enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change, and promote a fair, inclusive, and circular green economy.
"Indigenous Peoples and local communities hold the keys to effective climate solutions. They pave the way for a sustainable future for both people and the planet. Their wisdom and leadership illuminate the path to climate resilience, equitable green economies, and a nature-positive world. Let us honor and support these stewards of the Earth as we reimagine our global systems to nurture and sustain life for generations to come," stated Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP's Bureau for Policy and Programme Support.
Aligned with the theme of this year's International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, 'Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact,' one of this year's Brazilian winners stands out for its dedication to defend the rights, traditional knowledge, and territories of sixteen Indigenous communities, including many in voluntary isolation - one of the largest regions globally to host such communities.
Among the 2024 recipients are a diverse array of projects, including an Indigenous community innovating in scientific tourism for biodiversity conservation and cultural heritage preservation; a community-led organization promoting peace through sustainable coffee production; a fintech enterprise leveraging technology to offer affordable climate finance to Indigenous small-scale farmers; a youth-founded NGO advocating for wetland protection and restoration through environmental education and the mobilization of environmental activists; a community-led nature reserve ensuring the sustainable coexistence of human habitation, agriculture, and wildlife; and a locally-driven organization supporting the sustainable livelihoods of rural communities through sustainable seed resource management.
Together, these winners from Brazil, Bangladesh, Colombia, Iran, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, and Zambia become part of a prestigious network of 285 innovative locally-led initiatives from 94 countries that have been honored as Equator Prize winners since 2002.
Each Equator Prize 2024 winner will receive US$15,000 and will have the opportunity to take part in a series of special virtual events associated with the UN General Assembly, Summit of the Future, 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 16) in Cali, Colombia, and 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
