Kilimo Environmental Award

The Kilimo Environmental Award, initiated by Environmental Defenders in 2023, celebrates exceptional contributions by individuals, organizations, communities, and traditional leaders in safeguarding tropical forests and combating climate change within the Albertine Rift and Congo Basin regions. This prestigious award highlights efforts that directly protect threatened ecosystems and acknowledges grassroots initiatives resisting destructive projects fueling the climate crisis.

Celebrating Achievements and Events

  • Inaugural Ceremony: The first Kilimo Environmental Award event took place on August 23, 2023, marking the launch of this landmark recognition program.
  • Recent Highlights: The most recent award ceremony was held on November 8, 2024, bringing together honorees and stakeholders to celebrate their remarkable achievements.

Award Recipients

Since its inception, a total of 37 individuals and organizations have received the prestigious Kilimo Environmental Award—18 in 2023 and 19 in 2024.

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Beyond Recognition: Sustained Support for Honorees

Environmental Defenders goes beyond awarding prizes by offering ongoing support to recipients, ensuring their work’s sustainability and impact through:

  • Security Assistance: Providing protective measures to shield honorees from threats linked to their environmental advocacy.
  • Capacity Building: Delivering training and resources to strengthen their capabilities in advancing conservation and advocacy efforts.
  • Collaborative Networks: Connecting recipients within a network of like-minded individuals and organizations to amplify collective action.
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Shared Mission for a Just Future

In collaboration with the Kilimo Environmental Award recipients, we champion a unified mission to:

  • Defend natural ecosystems.
  • Safeguard biodiversity.
  • Uphold human rights.
  • Advocate for a fair and equitable future for communities and ecosystems in these vital regions.

The Kilimo Environmental Award stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration, empowering grassroots efforts to address the pressing environmental and social challenges of our time.

2024 Kilimo Award edition: Celebrating Efforts to Protect Forests & Climate.
2024 Kilimo Award Ceremony: Launching Environmental Recognition.
Celebrating Achievements at Kilimo Award 2024