NEWS

• A Self-Help Group (SHG) from a village in Kundgol taluk, Dharwad district, Karnataka, has received the prestigious Equator Initiative Award from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• This recognition highlights the group’s contribution to poverty reduction through biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

HIGHLIGHTS

About the Equator Initiative Award

• Organiser: Presented under the Equator Initiative of UNDP.
• Frequency: Awarded biennially (every two years).
• Objective: To honour outstanding community-based initiatives that link poverty reduction with biodiversity conservation.
• Nickname: Often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation”.
• Prize: Includes a cash award of USD 10,000.

2025 Theme

• Theme: “Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action”.
• The award highlights the role of women and youth in using nature-based solutions to combat climate change while ensuring sustainable livelihoods.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Operational Duration: Initiative must have existed for at least three years or actions implemented for at least three years.
2. Type of Group: Must be a local community-based group or Indigenous Peoples’ community operating in rural areas of UNDP-supported countries.
3. Nature of Action:
   • Actions must be nature-based.
   • Must contribute to two or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Significance for India

• Highlights grassroots innovation in linking environmental conservation with livelihood improvement.
• Strengthens India’s reputation in community-led climate action.
• Serves as a model for rural empowerment through SHGs integrating ecological sustainability with economic resilience.