Tribune News Network
Doha
Earthna Centre for a Sustainable Future (Earthna), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), has announced the 12 finalists for the inaugural Earthna Prize, an initiative launched in April 2024 to celebrate and support projects that integrate traditional knowledge and cultural heritage in addressing today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Twelve finalists were chosen from more than 400 submissions, representing over 100 countries, underscoring a global dedication to community-driven environmental stewardship. The applications focused on four key areas: water resource management, food security, sustainable urbanism, and land stewardship.
Representing a diverse range of organizations—including NGOs, private entities, universities, and governments—the applications showcased widespread engagement in sustainability efforts. Notably, the highest number of submissions came from North America, East Africa, and South Asia.
“During the submission process, we witnessed an inspiring global response, with applications from all corners of the world, reflecting a powerful global acknowledgment to preserve and adapt traditional knowledge for modern challenges,” said Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, executive director of Earthna. “The broad participation highlights the growing worldwide recognition of sustainability and its significant impact, while the diversity of projects reveals the untapped creativity that must be nurtured to drive progress,” he added.
The Earthna Prize is awarded biennially through a rigorous selection process. A global review committee has selected 12 finalists, who will now be evaluated by a high-level jury. The four winners will be announced at the second Earthna Summit on April 22, 2025.
With a prize pool of US $1 million, winners may use the award to support the development, continuation, and scaling of their work.
Among the finalists is Tarun Bharat Sangh, a project in Northern India that enhances water security through the construction of over 15,000 traditional water harvesting structures like Johads and Pokhars.
Meanwhile, Project India by One Drop Foundation ensures safe water access, drives behaviour change through Social Art for Behaviour Change (SABC), and promotes economic empowerment, focusing on community leadership, gender equality, and entrepreneurship.
The Earthna Prize ceremony to unveil the four winners will be held on Tuesday, April 22, during the Earthna Summit in Doha.
For more information about the Prize and registration for the Summit, visit: earthna.qa.
