Nominations open for Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity (5th Edition)

The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity recognises individuals and organisations leading society’s efforts to tackle the single biggest challenge facing humanity today: climate change. It recognises outstanding contributions to climate action and climate solutions that inspire hope and possibility.

The Prize for Humanity enables people to make huge advances in tackling climate change. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded €4 million to different approaches to tackling climate change. The Prize money is being used to support people facing the worst impacts of climate change – including funding female-led mangrove restoration projects in Cameroon, supporting grass-roots organisations in Brazil and helping flooding victims in India and Bangladesh. The Prize funding is also helping cities achieve a green transition and is scaling the work of organisations highlighting the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Prize aims to strengthen communities facing the effects of climate change, helping them to adapt and build resilience at a local level. It supports scalable solutions that will have real impact nationally and globally.

Areas of Recognition

• The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity will focus on recognising achievements and contributions to climate action and climate solutions over a period of at least 5 years (2020-2024).
• The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity jury and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation seek nominations that demonstrate:
  • Evidence of transformative solutions and the potential for long-term change.
  • Clear, scalable solutions with real impact and proven environmental and social benefits.
  • Work that inspires and demonstrates active leadership.
  • Ideas that meet today’s needs and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

Funding Information

• The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, granted yearly, is worth 1 million euros. In the event of more than one laureate being distinguished, the award will be equally divided.
• The Prize should be used in a way that maximizes the impact of the recipient’s work. It is not intended as a ‘lifetime achievement’ award, nor is it intended to be seed funding. The Prize recognises work that has the capability to scale and to benefit communities at both the local and global levels.
• By accepting the Prize, the winner will sign a protocol with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation confirming the acceptance of the prize and agreeing on the allocation of funds, communication and activities related to the Prize.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity is open to nominations of any individuals, organisations, or groups of people and organisations from around the world. They must be making a significant contribution to the development of solutions to tackle climate change. Nominations must demonstrate the reach or potential reach of outstanding results and provide highly relevant evidence of future impact.
• Nominations must come from a third party.
• The prize cannot be granted posthumously or to an organisation after ceasing its activity, nor to former members of the Jury of the Prize.

For more information, visit Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.