It is exciting to attend conferences like COP19 and meet interesting people, but it can leave you hungry for action. The good news is that around the world, many people are working quietly to change unsustainable systems. They attend to ecosystems holistically and take an integrated approach in managing land and soil.
The Land for Life Award is the only global award that solely recognizes leadership in these kinds of ventures, specifically land and soil restoration.
Now in its third year, the award is open to applications and nominations from individuals, organizations, governments and research institutions. Three winners will be selected by a jury of experts and share a prize fund of UD$100,000. The winners are also invited to a high-level recognition event and featured in the media. Shortlisted applicants are also included in UNCCD publications.
If you’re doing great work to conserve land and soil, we want to know about it. Anyone can apply for the Land for Life Award for 2014. Previous winners of the award, like SOIL (2012) and the Foundation for Ecological Society (2013) offer inspiring lessons.
2012 Land for Life winner SOIL Haiti
Tips on submitting a strong application
• Tell a story: Share the narrative of the project. Provide quotes and pictures.
• Give data: Show impact through numbers of people served and land restored
• Focus: Have a clear impact on land and soil
• Are community driven or empowering
• Offer inspiration
The winners and semi-finalists from previous years offer a wide spectrum of contributions to sustainable land management – from businesses and social enterprises, to innovative research and advocacy.
For example, The Wand Foundation in the Philippines supports famers who have lost their land due to usurious lenders. They also build eco-san toilets, helping farmers access both organic compost and sanitation. They are currently rolling out a emergency sanitation efforts to support areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.
The deadline for applications is 15 March 2014. The application form is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. For more information please contact Emily at L4L@unccd.int.
Blog by Emily Davila, a social reporter at the Global Landscapes Forum
Photo: Mai Ky (World Bank)
