Grantees of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Iran, Morocco, Senegal, Colombia, Kenya and Bangladesh are among the prestigious Equator Prize 2024 winners, which the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Equator Initiative, and its partners announced this month. Implemented by UNDP for over three decades, SGP has been providing financial and technical support to projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people's well-being and livelihoods around the world.
The Equator Prize is an international award that recognizes the vital role that local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society play towards achieving nature, climate and sustainable development targets for people and the planet. Under the theme of ‘Nature for Climate Action,’ this year’s Equator Prize honours 11 Indigenous Peoples and local communities from eight countries that exemplify the transformative potential of Indigenous and locally-led nature-based solutions in combating the climate crisis.
Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement Partners, an SGP grantee from Kenya among the 2024 Equator Prize winners, fosters sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience in the Maasai pastoral community through programmes such as tree nurseries, beekeeping, and hay production, all while integrating Indigenous knowledge.
Learn more about the SGP winners:
Iran: Miras Parishan Kazeroon
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 Centre in 2019, MPK has significantly impacted ecosystem conservation, restoration, and sustainable management, promoting climate resilience and long-term stewardship of wetlands nationwide.
Morocco: Moroccan Biodiversity and Livelihoods Association (MBLA)
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.
Bangladesh: Sundarbans Eco Village in 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.
Colombia: Reserva Natural La Planada – Resguardo Indígena Awá Pialapí Pueblo Viejo
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.
Senegal: Réserve Naturelle Communautaire de Dindéfélo
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.
Kenya: Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement Partners (ILEPA)
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 centres, ILEPA empowers communities while protecting their natural heritage.