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A women-led initiative from India is among the winners of a prestigious United Nations award that honours nature-based solutions led by indigenous peoples and local communities aimed at promoting sustainable development and ecological resilience.
The Bibifathima Swa Sahaya Sangha (Bibifathima Self Help Group) is among the 10 winners of the Equator Prize 2025 announced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Friday.
Founded in Karnataka, the Bibifathima Self Help Group is a women-led initiative that supports over 5,000 farmers across 30 villages through millet-based multi-cropping, seed banks, and solar-powered processing.
"Combining traditional knowledge with regenerative agriculture and renewable energy, it restores biodiversity, boosts food security, and empowers marginalised women and youth as agripreneurs, advancing climate resilience and equity,” UNDP said in a statement.
UNDP, through its Equator Initiative, announced the winners of the Equator Prize 2025 on the occasion of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
This year’s winners are from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Tanzania and showcase the power of nature-based solutions led by communities on the frontlines of climate change.
The award is presented annually to honour nature-based solutions led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities that promote sustainable development and ecological resilience.