The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity has received a record number of nominations, with 304 pioneering climate leaders, organisations or groups in the running to receive this year’s €1 million Prize. This is the third year in a row that nominations continue to increase, and a growth of 43% compared to 2025 – underscoring the prominence and reputation of the Prize among the climate sector.

The winner will be announced on 23 September at a public ceremony hosted and livestreamed from the Foundation in Lisbon.

Winners are selected based on their achievements for people and the planet, as well as their climate leadership, potential for further transformative impact and the relevance of their work to today’s most pressing climate challenges. The Jury, chaired by Angela Merkel, conduct a rigorous selection process to evaluate all nominations and identify a winner.

This year’s nominees represent climate action happening in 73 nationalities in six continents. Topics include conservation, food systems, education, renewable energy, circular economy, science, activism, grassroots communities, climate resilience, health and humanitarian aid, among others. All Prize nominees are submitted by third parties. This year saw an increase in nominations from geographies previously less well represented, including Central and South America.

Cristina Casalinho, Executive Trustee of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, said: “The high volume of nominations for this year’s Prize is an encouraging sign of how widely-regarded the initiative has become among the sector, but also reflects the challenging landscape for climate funding. Nominations from civil society are particularly diverse and representative of various issues and leaders that deserve visibility in the climate conversation. We look forward to seeing who the Jury select as the 2026 winner.”

The annual €1 million unrestricted award has helped winners to scale and sustain their climate work and support communities most impacted by climate change. A total of €6 million has been disbursed by the Foundation since it established the Prize.

Last month, 2,000 households in Senegal gained access to clean drinking water as a result of the Prize. 2021 winners the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) used the funding for critical infrastructure projects in six Sub-Saharan African cities, including Dakar, Senegal, to boost climate resilience and support the energy transition. In India, 2024 joint winners Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming used the funding to expand their work training farmers in more environmentally-friendly practices, and last year rolled out additional pilots in Sri Lanka and Zambia. Read more about previous winners. Subscribe to the Prize newsletter for updates about the 2026 edition and ceremony.