discussion / Community Base  / 7 July 2021

Nominations for Pathfinder Award for innovations in nature conservation - due by 15 July

Celebrating sites with innovative, integrated approaches to protected and conserved area management that successfully conserve nature while making development gains related to human health, nature conservation and technology, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and sustainable land management. For it's second iteration the Pathfinder Award features a Technology category for the first time.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are excited to invite nominations for the 2nd iteration of the Pathfinder Award.

The Award serves as a unique and timely opportunity to showcase best cases of conservation management models and promote solutions that generate co-benefits for all.

With this award, we will celebrate, honour, and support individuals, groups, or organisations for their effective solutions that contribute to the success of protected and conserved areas.

The 4 award winners will receive a financial grant of US$ 10,000 and a plaque and certificate of achievement, promotion and visibility, and an invitation to the awards ceremonies. As the gatherings of the three Rio Conventions (CBD COP 15, UNFCCC COP 26 and UNCCD COP 15) are set to take place within 2021 and 2022, winners will be selected in four categories and presented during each of the conferences.  All eligible solutions will be published on the  'PANORAMA – Solutions for a Healthy Planet' web platform and be promoted further through the PANORAMA initiative.

The 2021 Pathfinder Award seeks initiatives focused on sites with innovative, integrated approaches to protected and conserved area management that successfully conserve nature while making development gains related to:

(A) Protected and conserved area solutions for innovative and outstanding conservation management practices that preserve human health 

(B) Protected and conserved area solutions for innovative and outstanding use of technology for successful nature conservation 

(C) Innovative Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for adaptation 

(D) Protected and conserved area solutions that contribute to Land Degradation Neutrality

For more information about the nominatons process please visit here.

With best regards from IUCN,

Deviah