22 August 2011: The Equator Initiative – a partnership led by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) – has announced a call for nominations for the 2012 Equator Prize. The 2012 awards will emphasize current development challenges, including water and energy access, food security, and adaptation to climate change.

The Initiative, which will celebrate its tenth anniversary, recognizes local community efforts that advance sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. In 2012, the initiative is expected to recognize 25 recipients who will each receive US$5,000, with ten selected for special recognition and a total of US$20,000. In addition, representatives of selected communities will receive recognition at a community meeting that will be held in parallel to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) to be held in Brazil in June 2012.

Applicants should: have been in operation for at least three years; be a community-based or local group, operating in a rural area; and be located within a country receiving support from UNDP, which excludes countries with a high level of development. The deadline for submitting applications is 31 October 2011.

Partners of the Equator Initiative include: Conservation International; the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); Ecoagriculture Partners; Fordham University; the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development; IUCN; The Nature Conservancy; the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Rare; the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); UN Environment Programme (UNEP); UNDP; and the UN Foundation. [UNDP Press Release] [Equator Initiative Website]