Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity
€1 million to accelerate climate action for people and the planet
The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity helps accelerate proven, impactful climate action that benefits people and the planet. The €1 million annual award, one of the largest in sustainable development, enables winners to sustain and scale their vital work and showcase exemplary climate approaches.
Nominations for the 2026 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity have closed. The winner will be announced later this year.
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Prize mission
The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity aims to accelerate transformative approaches to climate action that benefit people and the planet.
It does so by recognising extraordinary leadership and proven achievements with one of the largest prize funds in sustainable development, a €1 million annual award – providing resources to help sustain and scale winners’ vital work – and by showcasing exemplary approaches that address critical issues of today to encourage wider learning, collaboration and adoption across the global climate community.
The Prize is a flagship initiative of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and a manifestation of its commitment to put sustainability and equity at the heart of everything it does.
In addition to the Prize, the Foundation contributes to environmental sustainability and the reduction of inequality through grant-making programmes, sustainable investments, a broad cultural programme and other projects in the fields of art, science, education and charity.
Story and History Read, Watch, Listen- €6Mawarded to scale
effect approaches - 901nominations
(2025 edition) - 160nationalities
(2025 edition) - 44%FROM GLOBAL SOUTH
(2025 EDITION)
Prize impact
As one of the largest awards in sustainable development, the Prize delivers measurable benefits to the environment, nature and communities impacted by climate change.
The Foundation has awarded €6 million since launching the Prize in 2020 to individuals, organisations and groups across the globe – enabling them to accelerate vital climate action, raise awareness of critical issues facing people and the planet, and showcase approaches and solutions to a more sustainable, fairer future.
Learn moreWinner selection
The Prize winner is selected by an independent Jury of internationally recognised experts in climate science, technology and politics, chaired by former German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Winners are chosen for their proven achievements and inspirational leadership, as well as their potential for wider transformative impact, and relevance to the most pressing challenges posed by climate change to people and the planet.
Previous winners
Previous winners are using the funding to restore and advocate for the protection of critical ecosystems, catalyse global climate policy and legal change, scale regenerative agriculture practices, accelerate the green transition, and support communities most exposed to the impacts of climate change.
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Climate and Biodiversity
The Gulbenkian Foundation aims to address environmental challenges by funding and empowering organisations, generating knowledge, participating in relevant international networks, experimenting with innovative projects, and recognising initiatives with a global impact.
Learn more about this programme and our current initiatives.
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