UNDP Equator Initiative - Community and Indigenous Conservation

Enriched International · Found: 2026-03-10 22:13

UNDP initiative bringing together UN, governments, civil society and communities for nature-based solutions including marine and ocean conservation

Source: https://www.equatorinitiative.org/

Funding Details

Funder

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - Equator Initiative

Funding Goal

Recognizing and advancing local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The prize awards community initiatives that reduce poverty through conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Funding Amount

Prize award (monetary value not specified on website); winners receive recognition, visibility on international stage, and access to UNDP networks

Deadline

Annual, next cycle dates not specified (periodic)

How to Apply

Nominations submitted through the Equator Initiative website. An independent Technical Advisory Committee assesses nominations based on defined selection criteria.

Target Region

Global (countries receiving UNDP support); Indigenous Peoples communities in any country

Official Page

https://www.equatorinitiative.org/equator-prize-2/

Last Checked

2026-03-15 12:53

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a local community-based group or Indigenous Peoples' community
• Community must operate in a rural area
• Community-based groups must be in a country receiving UNDP support

Project Scope

• Initiative must have been in existence for at least 3 years
• Initiative must address conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
• Initiative must demonstrate measurable impact across 2 or more SDGs

Required Documents

• Nomination form required through Equator Initiative website
• Evidence of 3+ years of operation required

Constraints

• Not for profit organizations or businesses — community groups only

Summary

The Equator Prize is administered by the UNDP Equator Initiative and recognizes outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It aims to celebrate local and indigenous sustainable development successes on an international stage, contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. Thematic scope includes biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of natural resources, poverty reduction, land degradation prevention, community livelihoods, and nature-based solutions. The prize specifically focuses on initiatives at the intersection of people, nature, and resilient communities. Eligible activities include: community-based natural resource management, sustainable agriculture and forestry, wildlife and habitat conservation, nature-based livelihood development, and ecosystem restoration. The initiative must demonstrate measurable positive environmental, social, and economic impacts. Geographic scope is global, with a focus on tropical and subtropical regions. Applicants must be based in countries receiving UNDP support (for community-based groups) or be Indigenous Peoples' communities in any country worldwide. Eligible applicants are local community-based groups and Indigenous Peoples' communities operating in rural areas. Organizations must have been in existence for at least three years. Selection criteria emphasize impact, innovation, scalability, resilience, reduced inequalities, and gender equality. Target beneficiaries are local and indigenous communities in the Global South who are leading sustainable development and conservation work at the grassroots level. No monetary budget or co-funding requirement information was specified on the website. Winners receive recognition, international visibility, and connection to UNDP's global network of stakeholders and resources.

Historical Context

The Equator Prize was previously awarded biennially; the website now states it is awarded annually. The 2025 prize cycle winners were announced on 11 December 2025. Past prize cycles are documented on the website.

Sources

• https://www.equatorinitiative.org/
• https://www.equatorinitiative.org/equator-prize-2/

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