New York —  The UNDP-led Equator Initiative announces its global call for nominations for the Equator Prize 2022. This worldwide outreach effort aims to identify exceptional local solutions for climate, people and planet. Nominations are open through 5 April 2022.

This 13^th cycle of the UNDP Equator Prize will focus on local communities and Indigenous groups in rural areas who have developed innovative, nature-based solutions to create a planetary safety net and help redefine prosperity, development, and our relationship with nature.

“Local action and nature-based solutions are the cornerstone of living sustainably and in harmony with nature. Indigenous peoples and local communities show us the pathway to address the transformations needed to tackle our planetary crises and redefine prosperity and development,” stated Haoliang Xu, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support.

“We are grateful to the Government of Norway for the continued generous support to the Equator Prize and to identifying and scaling up Indigenous peoples and local communities’ solutions.”

The event will contribute to several high-profile summits later in the year, including the UN General Assembly, the UNCCD COP 15 and the UNFCCC COP27.

Under the theme of ‘Transforming our Economy and Relationship with Nature for Sustainable Development’, winning initiatives will be honored under three thematic priorities.

Creating a planetary safety net

Protection, restoration and/or sustainable management of ecosystems to help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and/or support communities in adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Redefining our relationship with nature

Redefine our relationship with nature by putting nature at the heart of local development plans and policies, and by defending land and water defenders.

Creating a new green and inclusive economy for people and planet

Protection, restoration and/or sustainable management of terrestrial or marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and/or wildlife that enables sustainable livelihoods, green enterprises, and jobs, including the promotion of Indigenous economies.

Special consideration will be given to nominees working on ecosystem integrity and intactness, inter-generational equity, and gender equality.

The winners will join a prestigious network of 264 leading community-based organizations from 84 countries that have been awarded the Equator Prize since 2002. Each Equator Prize winner will receive USD 10,000 and will be supported to participate virtually in a series of policy dialogues and special events in the later part of 2022.

The Equator Prize has been supported by former Heads of State Gro Harlem Brundtland, Oscar Arias and Mary Robinson; Nobel Prize winners Al Gore and Elinor Ostrom; thought leaders such as Jane Goodall and Johan Rockstrom; and Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, among many others.

The Equator Initiative is a UNDP-led partnership that brings together the UN, governments, civil society, businesses, and grassroots organizations to advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. Our partners include the Governments of Germany (BMZ), Norway (NORAD) and Sweden (Sida); Conservation International; the Convention on Biological Diversity; One Earth, the Tribal Link Foundation, Ecoagriculture Partners; Fordham University; the International Union for Conservation of Nature; The Nature Conservancy; PCI-Media Impact; Rare; UN Environment; the UN Foundation; the Wildlife Conservation Society, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

For details on the nomination and selection criteria, and to submit nominations, visit here.

More information on the Equator Prize is available here.

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Media queries: Sangita Khadka, Communications Specialist, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, New York, email: sangita.khadka@undp.org.