Equator Initiative

Equator Initiative The Equator Initiative raises the profile of local efforts to improve community livelihoods through the conservation and sustainable use of nature.

The Equator Initiative seeks to:
- Recognize the success of local and indigenous initiatives,
- Create opportunities and platforms to share knowledge and good practice,
- Inform policy to foster an enabling environment for local and indigenous community action, and
- Develop the capacity of local and indigenous initiatives to scale-up their impact. The Equator Initiative accomplishes these goals i

n three areas of work:
(1) The Equator Prize is awarded biennially to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. As local and indigenous groups across the world chart a path towards sustainable development, the Equator Prize shines a spotlight on their efforts by honoring them on an international stage. (2) Equator Dialogues are an ongoing series of community-driven meetings and exchanges, held in conjunction with related international forums. Equator Dialogues provide opportunities for people to share experiences, develop capacities and influence policy. (3) Equator Knowledge is a research, documentation and learning program focused on local best practice in sustainable development. The Equator Initiative works with partners to identify, document, and analyze the success factors of local best practice, and to catalyze ongoing peer-to-peer learning, knowledge exchange and replication of best practice.

New Case Study: Dayak Iban Sungai Utik Longhouse, Indonesia 🇮🇩How can a single community protect millions of tons of car...
05/13/2026

New Case Study: Dayak Iban Sungai Utik Longhouse, Indonesia 🇮🇩

How can a single community protect millions of tons of carbon from industrial expansion?

In West Kalimantan, Indonesia, the Indigenous group Dayak Iban Sungai Utik Longhouse—a 2019 winner—has spent 40 years fighting for legal recognition of its ancestral lands.

Living together in a single, historic 216-meter-long traditional longhouse, this community manages 9,504 hectares of forest according to ancient Indigenous laws. Their guardianship has:
🔵 Defended ancestral lands against corporate interests.
🔵 Safeguarded an estimated 1.31 million tons of carbon.
🔵 Secured a self-sufficient supply of food, medicine, and clean water for future generations.

The Sungai Utik forest guardians prove that when Indigenous rights are recognized, the whole planet wins.

📚 Format: Case study
🌍 Languages: English, Bahasa
🔗 English:https://www.equatorinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Sungai-Utik-Case-Study-English-FNL.pdf
🔗 Bahasa:https://www.equatorinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Sungai-Utik-Case-Study-Bahasa-r1.pdf

Are we building "with" or just "for" Indigenous communities?The latest dialogues from the 2026 Nature for Life Hub featu...
05/13/2026

Are we building "with" or just "for" Indigenous communities?

The latest dialogues from the 2026 Nature for Life Hub feature global experts discussing how we can transform our economic systems, policy frameworks, and values to protect the planet’s vital ecosystems.

We are especially proud to highlight the “Indigenous and Local Leadership in Conservation” session. Our own Anna Giulia Medri (Equator Initiative Team Lead) joins Sineia do Vale from Conselho Indígena de Roraima (CIR), a 2019 winner, for a powerful conversation on what it truly means to “build together.”

Key takeaways from their dialogue:
🔵 Moving beyond consultation toward genuine partnership
🔵 The essential role of mutual trust in conservation success
🔵 How local leadership provides a blueprint for global policy

Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/bzAKx4H_xKU?si=l-44xRvzb0cW5sU2

*Note: This dialogue is conducted in Portuguese, with English framing and subtitles.

Are you passionate about nature-based solutions and the power of local action?At the United Nations Development Programm...
05/06/2026

Are you passionate about nature-based solutions and the power of local action?

At the United Nations Development Programme - UNDP Equator Initiative, we believe that Indigenous Peoples and local communities are at the forefront of sustainable development. Our mission is to take these local successes and give them a global stage.

When you follow our page, you gain access to:
🔹 Multimedia storytelling that brings the frontlines of conservation to life through immersive photo stories and podcast conversations with local leaders.
🔹 Actionable knowledge hubs featuring case studies that translate grassroots success into scalable models for biodiversity and climate resilience.
🔹 Direct access to the global stage through event updates, webinars, and opportunities to collaborate with our growing network of winners.

Join our professional community today:
✅ Follow us on LinkedIn (Link in the first comment below! 👇)
💬 Tag a colleague in the comments who should see this.
♻️ Share this post to help us put local action at the center of the .

New Case Study: RED TICCA “Territorios de Vida en Argentina”, Argentina 🇦🇷What happens when Indigenous Peoples are recog...
05/05/2026

New Case Study: RED TICCA “Territorios de Vida en Argentina”, Argentina 🇦🇷

What happens when Indigenous Peoples are recognized as the primary guardians of nature’s wisdom?

In Argentina, RED TICCA (Territories of Life in Argentina), a 2022 winner, is making history by reaffirming Indigenous rights over ancestral lands, culture, and natural resources. This groundbreaking network bridges diverse communities nationwide to secure food sovereignty, access to clean water, and intergenerational equity.

As more communities join the network, it grows stronger, helping to influence national environmental policy and ensuring that the protection of Argentina's biodiversity is led by those who have lived in harmony with it for millennia.

📚 Format: Case study
🌍 Languages: English, Spanish
🔗 English:https://www.equatorinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Red-Ticca-Case-Study-En-r5.pdf
🔗 Spanish:https://www.equatorinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Red-Ticca-Case-Study-Es-r2.pdf

New Case Study: Young Emerging Farmers Initiative (YEFI), Zambia 🇿🇲Youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are ...
04/27/2026

New Case Study: Young Emerging Farmers Initiative (YEFI), Zambia 🇿🇲

Youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the innovators of today.

Our latest case study spotlights YEFI, a 2023 winner that is redefining what it means to be a farmer in the 21st century.

In Zambia, where youth face high unemployment and climate change threatens food security, YEFI is turning "farming" into "agribusiness." Through climate-smart training and their "My Farm, My Swag" campaign, they are proving that sustainable agriculture is both profitable and essential.

Their impact at a glance:
🌱 10,000 hectares of degraded land restored.
💼 20,000+ jobs created for youth and women.
📉 30% reduction in nitrous oxide emissions per hectare.
👥 500,000+ young people mobilized nationwide.

📚 Format: Case study
🌍 Language: English
🔗 Read the full publication:https://www.equatorinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Young-Emerging-Farmers-Case-Study-En-r3.pdf

Can football help tackle the triple planetary crisis? ⚽️🌳In Marsabit County, Kenya, the answer is clear: yes.Nature and ...
04/22/2026

Can football help tackle the triple planetary crisis? ⚽️🌳

In Marsabit County, Kenya, the answer is clear: yes.

Nature and People as One - NAPO, a 2025 winner, is showing how community-driven solutions can restore ecosystems while empowering young people. Their innovative “sports for restoration” model turns the world’s most popular game into a force for environmental action.

Here, performance goes beyond the pitch. Teams earn points for the conservation and restoration work they carry out—linking teamwork, accountability, and long-term stewardship of the land.

Results since 2023:
📈 Teams doubled from 16 to 34
🌱 10,000+ trees planted, restoring 15+ hectares
🙌 1,380+ young people actively engaged

This , more than 700 youth are competing in the 2026 NaPO Conservation Cup. The ultimate prize isn’t just a trophy, but a more resilient, greener future for their communities.

Read our full story to learn more about their work: https://equatorinitiative.exposure.co/the-beautiful-game-for-a-green-planet

New Case Study: Snehakunja Trust, IndiaHow can ancient wetlands serve as a modern frontier for climate mitigation? For f...
04/20/2026

New Case Study: Snehakunja Trust, India

How can ancient wetlands serve as a modern frontier for climate mitigation? For five decades, Snehakunja Trust, a 2021 winner, has pioneered the protection of critically endangered freshwater swamps, evergreen forests, and coastal ecosystems in India’s Western Ghats.

By bridging traditional knowledge with community-led restoration, they are safeguarding vital carbon sinks and the ancestral water sources of Indigenous communities. A true trailblazer, the Trust piloted India’s first-ever blue carbon project, restoring 375 hectares of mangroves to bolster biodiversity and secure sustainable livelihoods.

📚 Format: Case study
🌍 Languages: English, Kannada
🔗 English:https://www.equatorinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Snehakunja-Trust-Case-Study-English-r3-1.pdf
🔗 Kannada:https://www.equatorinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Snehakunja-Trust-Case-Study-Kanada-r2.pdf

New Case Study: Community Fund Zhassyl Azyk, KazakhstanCan a single crop revitalize a nation's soil? In Kazakhstan, five...
04/16/2026

New Case Study: Community Fund Zhassyl Azyk, Kazakhstan

Can a single crop revitalize a nation's soil? In Kazakhstan, five farming communities formed the Community Fund ‘Zhasil Azik’ to combat extensive soil degradation through the sustainable cultivation of alfalfa.

By using alfalfa as a natural tool to restore fertility and manage scarce water supplies, this 2017 winner has increased smallholder incomes by 20% and created over 200 jobs. Their success was so significant that the national government has integrated these techniques into the National Program for the Development of the Agro-industrial Complex to scale up their impact nationwide.

📚 Format: Case study
🌍 Language: English
🔗 Read more:https://www.equatorinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Community-Fund-Zhassyl-Azyk-Case-Study-English-FNL.pdf

New Case Study: Kapunungan sa Gagmay’ng Mangingisda sa Concepcion (KGMC), PhilippinesHow can a fishing community bring a...
04/15/2026

New Case Study: Kapunungan sa Gagmay’ng Mangingisda sa Concepcion (KGMC), Philippines

How can a fishing community bring an entire ecosystem back from the brink? In Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines, KGMC, a 2024 winner, has spent decades transforming depleted coastlines into thriving sanctuaries.

By blending community organizing with strict law enforcement and environmental education, KGMC has successfully rehabilitated over 10,000 hectares of mangrove forests. This restoration hasn't just brought back vanished species of fish and migratory birds to Sibuguey Bay; it has secured the food supply and livelihoods for thousands of local fishers.

📚 Format: Case study
🌍 Language: English
🔗 Read more:https://www.equatorinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/KGMC-Case-Study-En-r3.pdf

Did you know there’s an ecosystem where you can experience all four seasons in a single day?In the Andean páramos, tempe...
04/09/2026

Did you know there’s an ecosystem where you can experience all four seasons in a single day?

In the Andean páramos, temperatures can reach 20°C under the midday sun—only to drop below freezing by nightfall. Beyond their striking climate, these ecosystems are essential “water sponges,” supplying freshwater to millions across South America.

Since 2008, the Fondo de Páramos Tungurahua y Lucha Contra la Pobreza has been working at the intersection of conservation and community development to protect this critical landscape. Their results highlight the power of Indigenous-led, multi-stakeholder action:

✨ Restored and conserved over 4,000 hectares of páramo
🗺️ Developed 27 management plans to strengthen water security
🤝 Mobilized more than US$2.1 million through public-private-community partnerships

As a 2019 winner, this initiative demonstrates how nature-based solutions can deliver tangible benefits for both ecosystems and people, ensuring long-term water security in Ecuador’s highlands.

Learn more in their case study (available in English and Spanish): https://www.equatorinitiative.org/2019/07/29/fondo-de-paramos-tungurahua-y-lucha-contra-la-pobreza/

When indigenous land rights are recognized, nature thrives. 🌍The Hadzabe community in Tanzania secured legal rights to o...
03/24/2026

When indigenous land rights are recognized, nature thrives. 🌍

The Hadzabe community in Tanzania secured legal rights to over 20,000 hectares of their ancestral land and transformed conservation into opportunity through carbon markets.

✨ 9% less deforestation in 5 years
🦓 Wildlife making a comeback
🌱 Sustainable livelihoods for the community

Their story is a powerful reminder: protecting people’s rights is key to protecting the planet.

📖 Read their case study in English or Swahili: https://www.equatorinitiative.org/2019/07/30/yaeda-valley-project/

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