New York – 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. 

For more information, please visit the Equator Initiative website. Join the conversation by using #EquatorPrize on social media, and stay connected with us on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Meet the 2024 Equator Prize winners:

Reserva Natural La Planada – Resguardo Indígena Awá Pialapí Pueblo Viejo - Colombia

Since 2010, the 490 families and 1,900 people that compose the Awá Indigenous People have dedicated themselves to a crucial mission: preserving their ancestral lands while safeguarding their cultural heritage. Their innovative approach involves embracing scientific tourism, which fosters a meaningful exchange of knowledge among researchers, tourists, students, and the Indigenous community. This initiative not only promotes biodiversity conservation but also ensures the protection of their cultural legacy for future generations.

Federación Mesa Nacional del Café FEMNCAFÉ - Colombia

Comprising 28 coffee associations, FEMNCAFÉ champions the economic, social, and community reintegration of signatories of the Colombian peace agreement alongside local communities. Central to their mission is a sustainable coffee model that prioritizes environmental and social justice. By reducing inequality among coffee farmers, democratizing technical knowledge, and promoting climate-resilient agriculture, FEMNCAFÉ tackles agrarian disparity, stimulates rural economies, and confronts the challenges of climate change head-on.

Asociación de Productores del Pueblo Arhuaco de La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta – ASOARHUACO - Colombia

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the tallest coastal mountain range globally and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Arhuacos Indigenous People have safeguarded this sacred territory for decades. In 2015, they joined forces to establish ASOARHUACO, an association of Arhuaco agroforestry producers dedicated to both improving their livelihoods and preserving their ancestral lands. Recently, they have collaborated with Sacred Forests to implement a payment for ecosystem services model. This initiative aims to reclaim invaded lands, ensuring their restoration, reforestation, and conservation as sacred sites for the Arhuacos.

União dos Povos Indígenas do Vale do Javari - UNIVAJA - Brazil

This Indigenous-led non-profit organization represents Brazil’s second largest Indigenous territory in the 8.5-million-hectare Javari Valley, housing one of the world’s largest populations of Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation. The organization is dedicated to defending constitutional rights, preserving Traditional knowledge, and safeguarding their shared territory. Central to their mission is the Javari Valley Ethno-Environmental Protection Project (PPEVJ), which utilizes digital technology to monitor and track incursions into their territory.

Réserve Naturelle Communautaire de Dindéfélo - Senegal

Established by 12 local villages, this locally-led organization has created a unique model of community nature reserve that harmonizes human habitation, agriculture, and wildlife conservation. Through community engagement and education, the initiative has successfully preserved biodiversity, protected chimpanzees, carried out reforestation efforts, and mitigated bushfires. Ongoing projects include the development of market gardens and initiatives to preserve water quality, showcasing the community's strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Coletivo Ambientalista Indígena de Ação para Natureza, Agroecologia e Sustentabilidade – CAIANAS - Brazil

An Indigenous association from Brazil's Mato Grosso do Sul, CAIANAS focuses on improving quality of life and environmental protection in the Cerrado and Pantanal regions. Formed in 2015, the association empowers Indigenous families through cultural and ethno-agroecological practices, tackling issues like hybrid seeds and soil infertility by recovering traditional seeds, implementing agroforestry, and restoring degraded areas, while partnering with universities and government bodies for agroecology training.

Miras Parishan Kazeroon - Iran

Formed in 2014, Miras Parishan Kazeroon (MPK) is a leading advocate for the protection and restoration of Iran's largest freshwater wetland, using a participatory approach to empower local communities and foster collaboration. By establishing the Parishan Wetland Education and Research Center in 2019, MPK has significantly impacted ecosystem conservation, restoration, and sustainable management, promoting climate resilience and long-term stewardship of wetlands nationwide.

Sundarbans Eco Village in Bangladesh - Bangladesh

Spearheaded by the Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS), the Sundarbans Eco Village in Bangladesh exemplifies a locally-driven approach to harmonize sustainable living, commerce, and education in a disaster-prone region. By engaging the community, the initiative has restored 150 hectares of mangrove forests, provided renewable energy to over 3,100 families, secured safe drinking water for 12,000 people, and promoted ecotourism. These efforts not only enhance local income and resilience but also highlight a model that has earned widespread recognition for its significant impact and potential for replication.

CredorSave Loans - Zambia

A social fintech enterprise, CredorSave empowers Indigenous small-scale farmers in Zambia's Rufunsa District by offering affordable climate finance for climate-smart agriculture and household biogas energy. Their innovative pay-as-you-go biogas model promotes health, social, and environmental benefits, reduces reliance on rain-fed agriculture and charcoal, and supports forest regeneration. CredorSave's efforts contribute to multiple Sustainable Development Goals, fostering resilient livelihoods and mitigating climate change impacts.

Moroccan Biodiversity and Livelihoods Association (MBLA) - Morocco 

Operating in the High Atlas Mountains, this organization is dedicated to preserving natural and cultural heritage while fostering sustainable rural livelihoods. They promote community-based conservation, manage traditional seed systems, and facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building. Through these efforts, MBLA enhances agro-biodiversity and climate resilience, working closely with scientific partners to bolster regional seed conservation initiatives.

Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement Partners (ILEPA) - Kenya

This organization focuses on environmental conservation and sustainable development for the Maasai community, expanding from land rights advocacy to addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. Through initiatives like reclaiming Indigenous lands, promoting women's beekeeping, and establishing community resource centers, ILEPA empowers communities while protecting their natural heritage.

Media 

For media inquiries please contact Sangita Khadka at sangita.khadka@undp.org.