Doha: Winners of the inaugural “Earthna” Prize emphasized its significance in recognizing pioneering projects that draw upon traditional knowledge to develop innovative solutions for environmental challenges in food security, water resource management, sustainable urban development, and land stewardship.
According to Qatar News Agency, on the sidelines of the second edition of the Earthna Summit 2025, winners praised Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development for launching the prize. They highlighted its moral and financial value, amounting to 1 million, distributed among four winners to support and accelerate the implementation of their projects. The winners were selected from nearly 400 submissions from more than 100 countries.
Elisha Caleb, representative of the Seeds of Change Initiative at Blooming World International in Kenya, stated that receiving the award is a profound recognition of the organization’s efforts and a tangible testament to the impact of its initiatives. He noted that this honor underscores the fundamental value of traditional knowledge and sustainable practices in tackling contemporary environmental challenges.
He explained that the award significantly supports the organization’s approach and enhances its credibility, enabling it to expand its initiatives and attract further support and investment to reach new communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
Caleb outlined the next steps following this recognition, which include expanding the scope and impact of the “Seeds of Change” initiative. The initiative aims to document and promote traditional agricultural practices while integrating them with modern farming technologies, starting in Kenya before expanding to other African regions.
The organization plans to establish community seed banks and innovation platforms in multiple areas across Kenya, allowing stakeholders to identify and address challenges in the local vegetable value chain, thereby contributing to the creation of a sustainable and inclusive agricultural system.
Caleb affirmed that the award has provided them with a global platform to showcase their projects and open new avenues for collaboration with an international network of sustainability stakeholders. This facilitates the establishment of strategic partnerships and ensures sustainable funding, reinforcing their commitment to continued innovation in supporting small-scale farmers, promoting sustainable agriculture, and preserving traditional knowledge.
Gildas Andriamalala, representing Blue Ventures, which operates in Kenya, Senegal, Indonesia, Madagascar, and Belize, highlighted that winning the prize is a strong recognition of the crucial role indigenous and local community organizations play in environmental conservation. He emphasized that the award highlights the importance of shifting power to frontline actors who possess deep knowledge and long-term commitment to ocean protection.
Andriamalala stated that this recognition helps expand the scale of community-led environmental work, strengthen partnerships, and raise global awareness. He noted that the organization aims to support 10,000 local communities in managing approximately 200,000 square kilometers of oceans by 2030.
He added that community-led initiatives such as the “Thriving Fishers” program, which works to restore tropical fisheries by supporting traditional fishers and combating overfishing, have long proven effective. “Blue Ventures” has been collaborating with local fishers for over 20 years across 11 countries, integrating traditional knowledge with science and technology while supporting gender justice and enhancing women’s roles in coastal fisheries management.
Farmer Tantoh, from Farmer Tante Foundation in Cameroon, stated that the award crowns more than 29 years of fieldwork with local communities to protect the environment and improve quality of life across Cameroon.
He revealed that the foundation plans to establish an environmental village or community empowerment and training center, including a conference hall, educational facilities, and offices to prepare environmental activists and empower local communities. The initiative also involves launching the “Farmer Tantoh Environmental Village Movement,” featuring a two-year “Farmer Tantoh Fellowship Program,” with future expansion to other African countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, and West African nations.
Tantoh also aims to produce documentary films through his YouTube channel to highlight community-based environmental initiatives. He noted that the project has faced several challenges, including difficulties in reaching remote areas due to a lack of suitable transportation, administrative barriers, political interference, and insufficient sustainable funding.
Hernando Chindoy, from Suma Kawsay Colombia, stated that the award reinforces the organization’s mission to make biodiversity protection a collective human responsibility, emphasizing that education is the key tool in reclaiming leadership for a sustainable future.
Chindoy explained that this recognition highlights the organization’s achievements in biodiversity and climate action, relying on traditional knowledge and local communities. He stressed that financial constraints did not hinder them from overcoming challenges and achieving tangible, sustainable results built on a legacy of honesty, diligence, and dignity.
He noted that winning the Earthna Prize for the “Wuasikamas Econeera” initiative, centered on nature-based solutions, represents an acknowledgment of its contribution to promoting non-violence principles and valuing indigenous knowledge. This effort has been ongoing for over two decades in the mountains of Colombia.