29 July 2010: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Nippon Foundation have announced that nominations are being accepted for the 2011 Sasakawa Prize, which aims to identify innovative environmental projects in the developing world. The 2011 theme is “Forests for People and for Green Growth,” in support of the 2011 International Year of Forests.

The US$200,000 cash prize is awarded annually to a grassroots organization judged to have made the most outstanding contribution to the protection and management of the environment and to social development. In 2011, the jury will be particularly interested in projects that: promote the conservation and sustainable management of forests; contribute to a meaningful reduction in carbon emissions caused by deforestation or forest degradation; maintain forest ecosystems to improve resilience to climate change; support development among forest-dependent communities; and conserve biodiversity and help protect ecosystems in forests. The deadline for submitting nominations is 30 September 2010. [UNEP Sasakawa Prize Website] [UNEP Press Release]