Equator Prize 2006
Submission deadline: 31 October 2006
Document 15 of 41 
The Equator Initiative is a partnership that brings together the United Nations, civil society, business, governments and communities to help build the capacity and raise the profile of grassroots efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
The Equator Prize is a prestigious international award that recognizes outstanding local efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. An innovative programme of community and local-global dialogues, learning exchanges and meetings, Equator Dialogues celebrate local successes, share experiences and inform policy. Equator Knowledge is a comprehensive research and learning initiative dedicated to synthesizing lessons from local conservation and poverty reduction practice. Equator Ventures is a unique investment program focused on blended finance and capacity development for biodiversity enterprises in the most biodiversity-rich locations of the world.
The Equator Prize is awarded to recognize and celebrate outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation of biodiversity. As sustainable community initiatives take root throughout the tropics, they are laying the foundation for a global movement of local successes that are collectively making a significant contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Five winners will be selected from a field of finalists to receive the Equator Prize 2006. In addition to international recognition for their work and an opportunity to help shape international policy and practice in the field, winners will each receive a prize of US$30,000. All nominees for the prize become part of the Equator Initiative’s global network and are profiled in the Equator Initiative biodiversity best practice database.
One prize will be awarded in each region of eligibility (Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia and the Pacific), one to a community-based project in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one to the project that best exemplifies sustainable biodiversity-based business.
Adding to the excitement of this year's Equator Prize, a 2006 finalist and a 2002 or 2004 finalist will be selected to receive a renowned Pride campaign, supported by international conservation nonprofit and new Equator Initiative partner, Rare.
Dates to remember:
Call for nomination - 15 August 2006
Submission deadline - 31 October 2006
Equator Prize presentation - TBA January 2007
For more information on the Equator Prize and how to apply visit the website.
Website (URL): http://www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/equatorprize/EquatorPrize2006/2006-EquatorPrize.htm