Programs - Environmental Defenders

OUR PROGRAMS AS actRESS of environmental and social change

Environmental Defenders (ED) programs implement ACTIONS to protect and defend the natural environment and the people and wildlife that depend upon it, helping marginalized indigenous communities make a sustainable living, and protect their water sources and the local environment.

Environmental Human Rights Defenders

Community empowerment and Livelihoods support

Defend women, girls and Indigenous women leadership

Climate resilience & biodiversity

Kilimo Award

Kilimo Prize Award

The Kilimo Prize Award is an annual initiative by Environmental Defenders, designed to recognize and celebrate individuals, organizations, community leaders, and cultural institutions for their outstanding contributions to:

Community Development
Natural Resource Protection
Biodiversity Conservation
Sustainable Agriculture

Launched in 2023, the award aims to inspire grassroots innovation and dedication to sustainable practices that promote harmony between communities and the environment.

Now in its second year, the Kilimo Prize Award has successfully supported over 37 laureates and their organizations, deploying a total of $60,000 to fund and amplify their impactful initiatives.

The program seeks to:

Honor and empower champions of environmental and community resilience.
Provide financial and technical support to grassroots efforts.
Raise awareness of sustainable development practices.
Foster collaboration among communities, leaders, and organizations.

The Kilimo Prize Award is celebrated annually during the first week of November in Mahagi Territory, DRC. Each event not only highlights the achievements of the laureates but also strengthens the network of changemakers working towards a sustainable future.

Radio Terra FM

Elevating Voices for Climate Justice, Conservation, and Indigenous Empowerment

Radio Terra FM, broadcasting on 95.0 FM and 97.0 FM, is a unique platform amplifying the voices of marginalized and Indigenous communities in the Albertine Rift region of Uganda and DR Congo. As a nonprofit, independent radio station, Terra FM serves as a critical bridge for community empowerment, advocacy, and education, fostering action on climate change, conservation, and sustainable development.

Radio Terra FM is committed to creating an inclusive and informed society where communities can actively participate in decisions that shape their environment and future. Created by Environmental Defenders, we integrate media, advocacy, and community participation to:

Promote Climate and Biodiversity Awareness: Delivering insightful journalism and storytelling on pressing global challenges while highlighting local solutions.
Empower Indigenous Communities: Ensuring that Indigenous voices lead the conversation on land rights, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.
Strengthen Local Knowledge Systems: They are supporting Indigenous and local communities in preserving their cultural heritage and knowledge as vital tools for climate adaptation and environmental stewardship.