UNDP Announces 2025 Equator Prize winners on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations Advancement Program (UNDP) has revealed the winners of the 2025⁣ Equator Prize, recognizing ten outstanding Indigenous and local community initiatives driving transformative climate action and​ biodiversity conservation. Awarded annually on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the prize celebrates solutions that⁤ demonstrate ⁤how local communities are effectively safeguarding nature, building resilient livelihoods, and advancing‍ sustainable development.

Celebrating ⁣Local Leadership in Global Sustainability

This year’s ⁢winners, ⁤hailing from across Africa, Asia, ‌and Latin America, showcase ‍the power of locally-led approaches to address the interconnected challenges of climate change,‍ biodiversity loss, and poverty. The Equator Prize highlights the crucial role Indigenous Peoples and local communities play as stewards of the⁤ habitat and ‌champions of ⁣sustainable practices. Thes initiatives‍ demonstrate a deep understanding ⁣of ⁢local ecosystems, coupled wiht innovative strategies for conservation and restoration.

2025 Equator Prize Winners: Pioneering Solutions

Here’s a closer look at the ten inspiring ​initiatives recognized with the 2025 Equator ‌Prize:

Africa

1. Community Forests of the Congo Basin (COFEC) – Cameroon

COFEC empowers local communities to‍ sustainably manage Congo Basin forests, protecting ‌biodiversity and improving livelihoods.Through community-based forest management, they’ve secured rights to ⁤over 600,000 hectares, fostering sustainable timber harvesting and non-timber forest product enterprises.

2. Ethiopian Women’s Biodiversity Collective – Ethiopia

This collective of women ⁣farmers⁤ conserves⁢ native seeds and promotes ‍agroecological practices,enhancing food ‍security and climate resilience. They maintain a seed bank of over 100 ‌indigenous crop varieties and train other farmers in sustainable agriculture techniques.

3. Nature and people As ⁣One (NaPO) – Kenya

This women- and youth-led Indigenous association⁢ empowers pastoralist communities in northern Kenya to restore drylands using customary knowledge and affordable restoration methods. NaPO has restored over 550 hectares‍ and manages 10,000+​ hectares under community ‍bylaws, strengthening climate⁤ resilience and community-driven ecosystem stewardship.

4. ⁢Sustainable Ocean Alliance Tanzania (SOA TANZANIA) – Tanzania

Founded in 2020, this youth-led nonprofit restores Tanzania’s​ marine ecosystems and empowers coastal communities. SOA TANZANIA has restored over 100 hectares of seagrass, planted​ 20,000 mangroves, and trained 130+ young leaders through its Ocean Bootcamp, promoting sustainable seaweed farming and gender equality.

5.⁣ Sea ​Women of Melanesia Inc.(SWoM) – Papua New Guinea

This Indigenous women-led organization empowers women ⁢to lead marine conservation‌ by combining⁢ traditional knowledge with⁣ modern science. Since 2018, SWoM has trained over 50 women to manage marine areas across 1,500 hectares of coral reef, restoring ecosystems and‌ advancing ⁢sustainable fisheries in over 15 villages.

Asia

6. Ranu Welum Foundation – Indonesia

This ​women- and youth-led Indigenous organization empowers Dayak communities ⁢through forest conservation,cultural preservation,and media. Its programmes have mobilized over 1,000 youth, protected 3,000 hectares of forest, restored peatlands,‍ and trained⁢ women firefighters, driving Indigenous-led⁣ sustainable ⁣development ⁢and climate action.

7. Himalayan Community Biodiversity Conservation (Himalaya) – Nepal

This initiative supports local communities in ⁣the Himalayas to conserve biodiversity​ through sustainable tourism and traditional farming practices. They’ve established community-managed forests and promoted eco-tourism, ⁢generating income and protecting​ vital ecosystems.

Latin America

8. The First Agrobiodiversity Zone ‍in Peru: cuyocuyo Terraces, Puno – Peru

Led by six Quechua communities, this is Peru’s first officially recognized agrobiodiversity zone. Spanning over 6,500 hectares in the southern Andes, it protects ​1,281 native crop varieties and the region’s largest system of⁣ ancient terraces, ‍preserving biodiversity and ancestral knowledge.

9. REDD+ Project of the​ Uru Eu Wau Wau People – Brazil

This Indigenous-led project protects ⁤a vast area of Amazon rainforest through⁤ REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and ⁣Forest Degradation) mechanisms. The Uru Eu Wau Wau people are actively combating deforestation and promoting sustainable forest management.

10. Asociación de Mujeres Emprendedoras de la selva (AWES) -‌ Guatemala

This association of women ⁤entrepreneurs ⁤promotes sustainable forestry and non-timber forest ‍product businesses,empowering women and conserving forests. They provide training and market ​access for women-led enterprises,fostering economic independence ‌and environmental stewardship