Land for Life award

Every two years, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) organizes the Land for Life Award. The Award recognizes excellence and innovation in efforts towards land in balance. The past contests shed light on inspiring initiatives of recovery and restoration of degraded landscapes all over the world. They all made a significant contribution towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: “Life on Land”, in particular Target 15.3 on land degradation neutrality (LDN).

The Land for Life Award was launched at the UNCCD COP10 in the Republic of Korea as part of the Changwon Initiative. 

Land for Life Award 2019 “Decades of Impact”

Under the theme “Decades of Impact,” the 2019 Award puts spotlight on individuals/organizations that made outstanding contribution to land degradation neutrality on a large-scale, with long-term changes and dedicated actions for 25 years or longer and remarkable positive impacts on land, people, communities, and society.

All eight candidates were carefully examined by a panel of international jury members. As a result, two winners were elected. 

The finalists are :

• AIDER, Peru
• Ms. Judy Butterfield & Mr. Allan Savory, USA/Zimbabwe
• Konya Sugar Industry and Trade Corporation, Turkey  
• Mr. Mathieu Ouedraogo, Burkina Faso 
• MERET Project of Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia 
• Ms. Paola Agostini, Italy/USA 
• Mr. Simon Maddrell, United Kingdom/Kenya 
• Society of African Missions, Ireland/Africa 

In addition, the Land for Life Award set up a special China Award led by the main sponsor of the Land for Life Programme, Elion Foundation along with the State Forestry Administration, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Provincial Governmental of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. 
This special prize is devoted to celebrating exceptional commitment to sustainable land management in China. 

The winners will be announced on World Day to Combat Desertification during the global observance on 17 June 2019 in Ankara, Turkey . 

For more information, please contact L4L@unccd.int.