The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, a prestigious one-million-euro award, is now open for nominations for its 2025 edition. Recognizing outstanding contributions to climate action and solutions that inspire hope, this annual prize shines a spotlight on the individuals, organizations, and coalitions driving the world’s transition to a sustainable future.
Nominations and Eligibility
The nomination process for the 2025 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity is underway, with a deadline of January 31, 2025. Any individual, organization, or group of people and organizations working to tackle the global climate crisis is eligible to be nominated by a third party. Self-nominations are not accepted.
The independent jury, chaired by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, seeks to identify a diverse range of nominees from various sectors and regions. Since the prize’s inception in 2020, it has celebrated innovative approaches to climate action, including youth mobilization, coalition building, localized solutions, and groundbreaking scientific research.
Selection Criteria
The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity recognizes “outstanding contributions to climate action and climate solutions that inspire hope and possibility.” The jury evaluates nominations based on the nominee’s impact, scalability, and potential to drive transformative change. Successful candidates must demonstrate a profound and tangible commitment to addressing the climate emergency, with a focus on solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
Award Details
The one-million-euro prize is awarded annually by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, a prominent Portuguese philanthropic organization. The funds are intended to support the winner’s ongoing climate initiatives, helping to scale their impact and inspire others. Past recipients have used the prize money to fund agroecology programs, support grassroots organizations, assist climate-affected communities, and further innovative research.
Prize Recipients and Achievements
Past Winners
Since its inception in 2020, the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity has recognized a diverse range of climate leaders and their impactful work. The inaugural winner was the teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, whose “Fridays for Future” movement galvanized a global youth awakening to the climate crisis. In 2021, the prize was awarded to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, a coalition of over 10,000 cities and local governments advancing emissions reduction and adaptation strategies worldwide.
In 2022, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were jointly recognized for their crucial roles in advancing the scientific understanding of the interconnected climate and biodiversity emergencies. The 2023 prize honored Bandi “Apai Janggut,” an Indonesian community leader championing traditional, nature-based land management practices, as well as Cécile Bibiane Ndjebet, a Cameroonian agronomist and activist promoting women’s leadership in ecosystem restoration.
Nomination Process
Nominations for the 2025 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity must be submitted by a third party, such as a colleague, peer, or partner organization, by January 31, 2025. The nomination form is available on the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s website and requires a concise description of the nominee’s work, its impact, and its potential for scalability and replication.
Impact on Humanity
The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity is more than just a prestigious award—it is a powerful platform for amplifying transformative climate solutions and the individuals and groups behind them. By shining a spotlight on innovative approaches, the prize inspires hope and catalyzes further action, strengthening communities and driving systemic change.
Past winners have used the prize money to support vulnerable populations facing the worst impacts of climate change, from funding agroecology programs in India and Egypt to assisting flood victims in South Asia. The prize also recognizes efforts to highlight the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss, empowering a new generation of environmental leaders.
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
Organizational Background
The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity is an initiative of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, a prominent Portuguese philanthropic organization. Established in 1956, the foundation has a long history of supporting initiatives that address pressing global challenges, with a particular focus on education, arts and culture, and social and environmental welfare.
Philanthropic Initiatives
In addition to the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation provides grants for a wide range of climate solutions and sustainability projects. These initiatives aim to address the deep interconnections between people, nature, and the climate, recognizing that effective climate action requires a holistic, systemic approach.
Environmental Sustainability
The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity is a manifestation of the foundation’s commitment to place environmental sustainability at the core of its philanthropic work. By celebrating and supporting innovative climate solutions, the prize aligns with the foundation’s overarching goal of promoting a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
Global Recognition and Impact
International Acclaim
The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity has gained significant international recognition and acclaim since its launch in 2020. Chaired by the respected former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the prize’s independent jury is composed of renowned experts in climate action, earth system science, and environmental justice, lending it an aura of credibility and prestige.
Societal Transformation
Beyond its financial contribution, the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity has the power to catalyze societal transformation. By amplifying the stories and achievements of climate leaders, the prize inspires and empowers others to take action, fostering a global movement of innovative solutions to the climate crisis.
Future Prospects
As the world grapples with the urgent need for accelerated climate action, the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity will continue to play a vital role in identifying, celebrating, and supporting the individuals, organizations, and coalitions driving meaningful progress. With its unwavering commitment to sustainability and its ability to captivate global attention, the prize is poised to remain a beacon of hope and possibility in the fight against climate change.
The European Future Energy Forum invites you to follow the 2025 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity and to submit your nominations by January 31, 2025. Together, we can spotlight the transformative solutions that are paving the way for a sustainable future.
