The Green Awards are an initiative inviting applications for social and environmental projects that are financially sustainable and show measurable impact. This year marks the eleventh edition of the awards, which aims to bolster initiatives across various countries. With a focus on sustainability, the awards will accept applications from March 1 to April 30 in several categories including agriculture, freshwater management, urban resilience, human development, circular economy, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and green technology.

The event will be highlighted in October in Cuenca, Ecuador, posing an opportunity for participants to showcase their projects to a wider audience. Those interested in applying can do so for free through the official website. A study by PwC indicates that 71% of past participatory projects have continued past two years, with 74% having reported increased sales, underscoring the positive impact of these initiatives on sustainable development.

The overarching challenge in the region is to amplify and strengthen these sustainable initiatives so that they can sustain themselves over time. The Green Awards emphasize the importance of measuring impact and ensuring financial sustainability for long-term success, thus inspiring more projects that contribute significantly to social and environmental upliftment.