Equator Prize
Encyclopedia
The Equator Prize, organized by the Equator Initiative within the United Nations Development Programme
, is awarded biennially to recognize outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
. As sustainable community initiatives take root throughout the tropics, they are laying the foundation for a global movement of local successes that are collectively making a contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs). As local and indigenous groups across the tropics demonstrate and exemplify sustainable development, the Equator Prize shines a spotlight on their efforts by celebrating them on an international stage.
In addition to worldwide recognition for their work, a monetary award, and an opportunity to shape national and global policy, all nominees are invited to join the Community Knowledge Service (CKS) and are profiled in the Equator Knowledge Zone (EKZ) database of practice.
, Gisele Bündchen
, Catarina Furtado, Paul Tergat
and Anggun
. The winners were selected from a field of finalists to receive the Equator Prize 2010 and US$5,000 each. Five of these communities received special recognition and an additional US$15,000. Special recognition was given in the following categories: one for each region of eligibility (Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean), one to the initiative that best exemplifies Indigenous Peoples’ use of Traditional Knowledge, and one to the initiative that best exemplifies ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change.
In addition to worldwide recognition for their work as well as an opportunity to help shape national and global policy and practice in the field, all nominees for the Prize become part of the Equator Initiative’s global network and are profiled in the Equator Initiative biodiversity best practice database.
Partners for the 2010 event included the American Museum of Natural History
, the Equator Initiative, Conservation International
, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Germany), the Nature Conservancy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway), Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
(SIDA), UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme, United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP), United Nations Foundation
, USAID, Wildlife Conservation Society
, World Resources Institute
(WRI), and WWF
.
United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
, is awarded biennially to recognize outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
. As sustainable community initiatives take root throughout the tropics, they are laying the foundation for a global movement of local successes that are collectively making a contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals
Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
(MDGs). As local and indigenous groups across the tropics demonstrate and exemplify sustainable development, the Equator Prize shines a spotlight on their efforts by celebrating them on an international stage.
Criteria
Equator Prize winners are selected based on the following criteria:- Impact: Initiatives that reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, or through equitable benefit sharing from the use of genetic resources.
- Partnerships: Initiatives that adopt a partnership approach by linking activities with non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, the private sector, governments, research and/or academic institutions, and public or private foundations.
- Sustainability: Initiatives that demonstrate at least three years of successful and lasting changes in local socio-economic conditions and have positive impacts on biodiversity.
- Innovation and Transferability: Initiatives that demonstrate new and adaptable approaches that overcome prevailing constraints and offer knowledge, experience and lessons of relevance to other communities.
- Leadership and Community Empowerment: Initiatives that demonstrate leadership that inspires action and change consistent with the vision of the Equator Initiative, including policy and/or institutional change and the empowerment of local people, especially marginalized groups.
- Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: Initiatives that incorporate social and cultural diversity and promote gender equality.
Nominations and Eligibility
Equator Prize nominations are accepted from three regions of eligibility within the equatorial belt (23.5 degrees north and south of the equator): Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) selects the twenty-five Equator Prize winners, a pool that is further narrowed to five special recognition communities by an eminent jury of leading conservation and development professionals. Representatives of winning communities are sometimes sponsored to participate in Equator Initiative “dialogue spaces” and a high-level award ceremony.In addition to worldwide recognition for their work, a monetary award, and an opportunity to shape national and global policy, all nominees are invited to join the Community Knowledge Service (CKS) and are profiled in the Equator Knowledge Zone (EKZ) database of practice.
2010 Awards
Twenty-five winners were presented with the Equator Prize at a gala event in New York City at the American Museum of Natural History on September 20, 2010. Goodwill Ambassadors present included Edward NortonEdward Norton
Edward Harrison Norton is an American actor, screenwriter, film director and producer. In 1996, his supporting role in the courtroom drama Primal Fear garnered him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor...
, Gisele Bündchen
Gisele Bündchen
Gisele Caroline Bündchen is a Brazilian fashion model, occasional film actress and goodwill ambassador for the UN Environment Programme.In the late 1990s, Bündchen became one of the first in a wave of Brazilian models to find success...
, Catarina Furtado, Paul Tergat
Paul Tergat
Paul Kibii Tergat is a Kenyan professional long distance runner. He held the world record in the marathon from 2003 to 2007, with a time of 2:04:55, and is regarded as one of the most accomplished long-distance runners of all time.Now concentrating exclusively on the marathon, Tergat won many...
and Anggun
Anggun
Anggun Cipta Sasmi is an Indonesian singer-songwriter. She has released 12 studio albums and one soundtrack album , and her songs have also been included on various compilation albums. Her musical career began in childhood, and she achieved commercial success in Indonesia when she was 12 years old...
. The winners were selected from a field of finalists to receive the Equator Prize 2010 and US$5,000 each. Five of these communities received special recognition and an additional US$15,000. Special recognition was given in the following categories: one for each region of eligibility (Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean), one to the initiative that best exemplifies Indigenous Peoples’ use of Traditional Knowledge, and one to the initiative that best exemplifies ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change.
In addition to worldwide recognition for their work as well as an opportunity to help shape national and global policy and practice in the field, all nominees for the Prize become part of the Equator Initiative’s global network and are profiled in the Equator Initiative biodiversity best practice database.
Partners for the 2010 event included the American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
, the Equator Initiative, Conservation International
Conservation International
Conservation International is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, which seeks to ensure the health of humanity by protecting Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity. CI’s work focuses on six key initiatives that affect human well-being: climate, food security, freshwater...
, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Germany), the Nature Conservancy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway), Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency is a government agency of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Sida is responsible for organization of the bulk of Sweden's official development assistance to developing countries....
(SIDA), UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme, United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
The United Nations Environment Programme coordinates United Nations environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and has its...
(UNEP), United Nations Foundation
United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation started up in 1998 with a $1 billion grant from Ted Turner in order to support the United Nations in executing its programs worldwide. The creation of the Foundation was intended to encourage other donors to also support the UN in its activities...
, USAID, Wildlife Conservation Society
Wildlife Conservation Society
The Wildlife Conservation Society based at the Bronx Zoo was founded in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society and currently manages some of wild places around the world, with over 500 field conservation projects in 60 countries, and 200 scientists on staff...
, World Resources Institute
World Resources Institute
The World Resources Institute is an environmental think tank founded in 1982 based in Washington, D.C. in the United States.WRI is an independent, non-partisan and nonprofit organization with a staff of more than 100 scientists, economists, policy experts, business analysts, statistical analysts,...
(WRI), and WWF
World Wide Fund for Nature
The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...
.
Further reading
- "UNDP's Local Capacity Strategy: Enabling Action for the Environment and Sustainable Development"
- "Ecosystems, Climate Change and the Millennium Development Goals: Scaling Up Local Solutions – A Framework for Action" a Working Paper prepared by the World Resources Institute and UNDP for the MDG 2010 Review Summit
- "Equator Prize 2010 Brochure"
- "Partner publications"