By Claro A. Lanipa
PAGADIAN CITY - The Equator Initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announces the call for nominees for the Equator Prize 2014.
The global search aims to recognize local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The search covers 145 countries around the world receiving support from UNDP.
The theme of the Equator Prize 2014 is local climate change action. Thus, the search is looking for leading examples of communities that are managing biodiversity and ecosystems in a way that is reducing vulnerability, creating sustainable livelihoods, and advancing natural solutions to address the climate crisis.
In line with this, Regional Development Council (RDC) IX enjoins the Private Sector Institutions, Regional Line Agencies and the Local Government Units (LGUs) to nominate eligible local initiatives or projects that embodies the development and conservation goals of the Equator Initiative.
Nominees must have been in operation for at least three years. Must be a community-based or local group operating in a rural area and must be located within a country receiving support from UNDP. Countries with high level of development are excluded from this contest.
Winners of this search will each receive US$5,000 and an additional US$15,000 for special recognition.
Awarding of winners will be held during the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit and the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in New York in September 2014.
The call for nomination is open until March 22, 2014. Online nomination are strongly encouraged and can be completed at the website. Nominations may also be submitted by email to www.equatorinitiative@undp.org, by fax to +1 212 906-5657 of by post to Equator Initiative, 304 East 45th Street, FF-614 New York, NY 10017 USA.
For more detailed information log on at www.equatorinitiative.org.
Nominate now! This is our chance to be recognized, the efforts of our local and indigenous groups that demonstrate and exemplify sustainable development at the international scene.