Global Indigenous Leaders Honored for Climate Solutions
UN Highlights Nature-Based Initiatives on International Day
On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) unveiled the ten recipients of the prestigious Equator Prize 2025. This annual award champions Indigenous Peoples and local communities driving nature-based solutions for sustainable development and ecological resilience.
Community-Led Innovations Recognized
The 2025 honorees, hailing from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Tanzania, were chosen from over 700 nominations across 103 nations. Their work directly addresses the theme “Nature for Climate Action,” with a particular emphasis on youth and women’s leadership in combating climate change.
These initiatives focus on protecting and restoring vital ecosystems to mitigate climate impacts and foster a just economic transition. They aim to enhance biodiversity, ensure food sovereignty, and strengthen community resilience, all while preserving traditional knowledge and the crucial role of Indigenous leadership.
“On this important day, the 2025 Equator Prize winners are a reminder of the importance of honoring and recognizing the vision and leadership of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. These solutions, grounded in Indigenous knowledge and collective stewardship, are not only effective, but essential to achieving a just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.”
—Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support
Since its inception in 2002, the Equator Prize has recognized over 300 community-based organizations. Each 2025 winner will receive $10,000 USD and be honored at a virtual ceremony, with opportunities to participate in global forums like the UN General Assembly and COP30 in Brazil.
Meet the 2025 Equator Prize Winners
Argentina: COMAR Empowers Women Artisans
The Cooperativa de Mujeres Artesanas del Gran Chaco (COMAR) in Argentina uplifts over 2,600 Indigenous women. Their brand, Matriarca, transforms traditional crafts into sustainable products, fostering biodiversity, climate resilience, and women’s leadership.
Brazil: Uasei Champions Indigenous Bioeconomy
Associação Uasei dos Povos Indígenas de Oiapoque unites four Indigenous Peoples in Brazil to build a sustainable, Indigenous-led bioeconomy centered on native açaí. This initiative creates local value chains, boosts income, and protects biodiversity, with women and youth at its forefront.
Ecuador: Hakhu Amazon Foundation Defends Indigenous Rights
The Hakhu Amazon Foundation, driven by Indigenous youth and women, advocates for the Ecuadorian Amazon and Indigenous rights. Their women’s territorial guard, Yuturi Warmi, safeguards land, while the Hakhu Amazon Design social enterprise supports Kichwa women’s livelihoods.
India: Bibifathima Sangha Boosts Millet Farming
In India, the Bibifathima Swa Sahaya Sangha supports over 5,000 farmers with millet-based multi-cropping, seed banks, and solar processing. This women-led initiative combines traditional knowledge with regenerative agriculture, enhancing food security and empowering women entrepreneurs.
Indonesia: Mitra BUMMA Protects Rainforests
Mitra BUMMA in Tanah Papua supports community enterprises safeguarding 100,000 hectares of rainforest. The initiative empowers over 3,000 people, particularly women, in sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem stewardship, integrating traditional knowledge with modern tools.
Indonesia: Ranu Welum Drives Forest Conservation
The Ranu Welum Foundation, led by women and youth in Central Kalimantan, empowers Dayak communities through forest conservation and cultural preservation. Their work has protected 3,000 hectares of forest and trained women firefighters, fostering Indigenous-led development.
Kenya: NaPO Restores Drylands with Traditional Knowledge
Nature and People As One (NaPO) empowers pastoralist communities in northern Kenya to restore drylands using traditional methods. This women- and youth-led organization has restored over 550 hectares and strengthens climate resilience through community bylaws and leader training.
Papua New Guinea: Sea Women of Melanesia Lead Marine Conservation
Sea Women of Melanesia Inc. (SWoM) is an Indigenous women-led group empowering women in marine conservation. They have trained over 50 women to manage marine areas across 1,500 hectares of coral reef, enhancing ecosystem health and sustainable fisheries.
Marine Protected Areas managed by Indigenous communities often see higher success rates in biodiversity conservation compared to conventionally managed areas. For instance, studies in regions like the Coral Triangle have shown significant increases in fish populations within locally managed marine areas.
Peru: Cuyocuyo Terraces Preserve Agrobiodiversity
Peru’s first officially recognized agrobiodiversity zone, the Cuyocuyo Terraces in Puno, is led by six Quechua communities. This vast system protects 1,281 native crop varieties and preserves ancestral agricultural practices across 6,500 hectares.
Tanzania: SOA TANZANIA Restores Marine Ecosystems
Founded in 2020, Sustainable Ocean Alliance Tanzania (SOA TANZANIA) is a youth-led nonprofit restoring marine ecosystems and empowering coastal communities. They have restored over 100 hectares of seagrass, planted 20,000 mangroves, and promote sustainable seaweed farming.
The achievements of these 2025 Equator Prize winners underscore the vital importance of locally led, culturally grounded climate and biodiversity action. Their success demonstrates that when Indigenous Peoples and local communities are at the helm, both nature and society flourish.
