As the world grapples with accelerating climate challenges, Earthna — a Qatar Foundation initiative —has emerged as a vanguard of sustainability, bridging traditional knowledge and modern innovation. At the heart of its efforts lies the biennial Earthna Prize, a distinguished recognition of community-rooted, environmentally sound practices that draw upon the wisdom of generations past to meet future needs.
Organised under the theme “Building Our Legacy: Sustainability, Innovation and Traditional Knowledge,” the Earthna Summit convened leaders, scientists, activists, architects, and thinkers from over 100 countries. These diverse voices came together to reflect on how traditional and indigenous practices can be revitalised to address the pressing environmental issues of today.
In the presence of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, the inaugural Earthna Prize — launched on Earth Day in 2024 — was awarded during the Summit’s opening ceremony. Sharing a prize pool of $1m, four groundbreaking initiatives were honoured for their efforts in conservation, food security, and community resilience. From the spring catchments of Cameroon to the tropical fisheries of Indonesia, these winning projects stood out for their authentic, localised approaches and commitment to environmental stewardship. Their innovations serve as compelling evidence that true sustainability often lies not in untested technologies, but in the deep reservoirs of cultural memory and ecological wisdom.
The Earthna Prize celebrates solutions that draw on deep-rooted knowledge and collective experience to tackle today’s environmental challenges. These projects demonstrate that true innovation is not solely about novel technologies, but also about revitalising and adapting time-tested practices for a sustainable future. Their work is a powerful reminder that resilience and progress can be built upon the wisdom communities already possess—applied with renewed purpose and global relevance.
The Earthna Prize trophy serves as a powerful visual metaphor, transforming the sound wave of the word “Earthna” into a sculptural representation of the initiative’s lasting impact. It captures the essence of the prize: echoing tradition forward, shaping the environmental discourse of tomorrow.
By recognising and empowering these initiatives, Earthna is not merely awarding excellence—it is fostering a legacy. The initiative is helping to mainstream sustainability as both a practice and a principle, ensuring that environmental solutions remain inclusive, culturally grounded, and globally resonant.
