Celebrating Defenders
The Kilimo Environmental Award, initiated by Environmental Defenders 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.
Highlighting efforts
This prestigious award highlights efforts that directly protect threatened ecosystems and acknowledges grassroots initiatives resisting destructive projects fueling the climate crisis.
Award recipients
Since its inception, a total of 50 individuals and organizations have received the prestigious Kilimo Environmental Award—18 in 2023; 19 in 2024 and 13 in 2025.
Omirambe Jude
Jakisa Jonathan
Environnement En Danger
Chief Oscar Unencan Chobidongo
Adubango Tito Awinga
Action Pour la Paix, Développement Intégral et Émergence (APDIE)
Association Mar Giri SEBI
Chief Alipacu Losani Athindha Jean
Shared mission for a just future
Safeguard and defend natural ecosystems and biodiversity
Uphold and advocate for human and environmental rights
Sustained support for honorees
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.