Since time immemorial, local communities everywhere have developed a profound understanding of the natural world that surrounds them and have established methods and practices to adapt to their environments. Passed down through generations and often through the oral tradition of story exchange, these practices form the basis of what today is known as traditional knowledge. As an essential part of our cultural heritage, traditional knowledge spans many areas of human endeavor and can provide insights into soil and water management, agriculture, biodiversity conservation, medicine, climate adaptation, and natural resources management. Unfortunately, this valuable knowledge is being rapidly lost and with it, the wisdom that has accumulated over centuries.

So how can we ensure that traditional knowledge is preserved. And even better, is there a way to identify, recognize, and tap into this knowledge in the context of today’s pressing environmental issues? This is precisely what the recently announced “Earthna Prize” seeks to address. Formally launched on 22 April 2024 (International Earth Day), the Earthna Prize aims to honor and promote the important role of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage in helping to tackle contemporary sustainability challenges.

The prize will reward sustainable initiatives that preserve, integrate, and adopt wisdom passed down through generations, and those that blend heritage with innovation. Four winners will be selected to receive a share of US$1 million to finance the development, continuation and scaling up of their important work within the prize’s four themes: water resource management, sustainable urbanism, land stewardship, and food security. Applications are open to a wide variety of applicants including non-governmental organizations, community groups and businesses, globally.

The Earthna Prize is different from others because it focuses exclusively on how traditional knowledge and cultural heritage can help to tackle present-day environmental challenges. It complements Earthna’s continuous efforts to motivate communities and encourage them to prioritize sustainability, fostering a more resilient and environmentally aware world. By empowering communities and organizations actively engaged in preserving and applying ancestral practices , the prize helps to lay the foundation for a sustainable, healthy, and prosperous future.

Together, we can champion the importance of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage and can help create a more resilient and sustainable world.

Join us in sharing this unique opportunity with your own networks. Details about the Prize can be found at earthna.qa.

Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata

Executive Director, Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future