Small Grants Programme (SGP) and the Equator Prize
sgp prize is a prestigious acknowledgement of the work done by local communities to preserve the global environment. Across the globe, countless communities are working to achieve sustainable development goals while balancing nature, climate and people’s needs. In this year’s Equator Prize, 11 Indigenous Peoples and local community projects are honoured for their innovation, courage and dedication. They are helping to tackle the global threat of climate change, improve livelihoods and promote sustainable consumption and production patterns. Four of them have been supported by our Small Grants Programme (SGP), funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by UNDP, demonstrating how targeted community action can maintain the delicate balance between environmental imperatives and human well-being.
SGP is a global platform that supports innovative, locally led projects to safeguard our world’s natural resources, ecosystems and biodiversity. By providing financial and technical support to grassroots organisations, we enable them to implement projects that are responsive to local needs and demonstrate the transformative power of nature-based solutions. We are proud to have partnered with these communities and to recognise their efforts by awarding them the Equator Prize 2024.
For many of the finalists, winning the SGP is not only a monetary reward, but also a career-boosting recognition. In addition to the media attention and the ability to include the accolade on their resume, SGP winners often gain access to new opportunities and funding, and they have found that their work has a more meaningful impact when it is delivered at the local level.
However, critics have voiced concern over the prize’s winner-take-all design. Several scientists Science interviewed said that the process encourages universities and research institutes to nominate senior researchers, rather than early-career academics. In addition, the prize’s one-person focus may detract from the importance of collaborative work.
Despite the concerns, many researchers are still committed to the prize and believe that it will help them make an impact on their work and in the world around them. They hope that the prize will continue to drive awareness about the need to protect our planet and its biodiversity.
While SGP’s mission is to support innovative projects that contribute to a more environmentally responsible society, we recognise that there are still significant challenges to sustainability in the world. For this reason, we will continue to strengthen our partnership with NGOs and the private sector, and provide grants that are flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances. Together with partners, we are determined to work towards a more enduring and equitable partnership for a better world.
To support the efforts of these outstanding organisations, you can donate to SGP. Your donation will help us reach more community-led organisations and support their innovative work. Donations can be made online and will be matched dollar for dollar by the Singapore government. Thank you for your generosity and support! We look forward to continuing our partnership with you. For more information on SGP’s programmes, please visit www.sgp.org.