Alianza Ceibo, uniting indigenous peoples of the Amazon, has been awarded the €1 million Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. The recognition celebrates their solar energy and drinking water projects, as well as their defense of the forest.
Alianza Ceibo, a prominent organization bringing together representatives of indigenous communities from Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia, has been awarded this year’s prestigious Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. The global recognition, which includes a significant €1 million prize (equivalent to R$ 5.8 million), highlights the organization’s tireless work in safeguarding the Amazon and advancing sustainable solutions for its inhabitants.
The strength of Alianza Ceibo lies in its practical and visionary approach, implementing essential solar energy and drinking water supply projects in communities that would otherwise remain isolated within the vast expanses of the rainforest. This award, one of the largest granted for environmental causes, underscores the transformative impact of indigenous work in promoting climate resilience and protecting the planet’s most vital ecosystems.
Global Recognition for Indigenous Sustainability
The award ceremony, organized by the renowned philanthropic institution Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, took place in Lisbon. The event marked a historic moment for Alianza Ceibo and for the voice of indigenous peoples on the international stage. The amount received represents a substantial boost for the continuity and expansion of their initiatives.
“This award recognizes the struggle we have waged since the time of our ancestors and shows its true impact on the world: indigenous peoples are fundamental to protecting the rainforest and finding solutions to climate change,” stated Nemonte Nenquimo, co-founder of Alianza Ceibo, emphasizing the intrinsic value of ancestral knowledge in the pursuit of a more sustainable future.
Pioneering Clean Energy in the Amazon
Founded in 2014, Alianza Ceibo is comprised of leaders from the A’i Kofan, Siekopai, Siona, and Waorani peoples, with a leadership structure that ensures equality between men and women. Since its inception, the organization has been a driving force in implementing clean technologies in the region. With the support of international entities, over 200 solar energy generation systems have already been installed in remote areas of the Amazon. These systems provide electricity to 208 homes, seven schools, three women’s associations, and 14 land patrol posts, significantly improving the quality of life and autonomy of the communities.
Hernán Payaguaje, co-founder of Alianza Ceibo and a member of the Siekopai people, explained the strategic importance of this initiative: “A family that wants to access energy using fossil fuels needs to cut down trees, sell the wood, and buy a generator. The solar project breaks this chain and promotes the conservation of fauna and flora.” He added, emphasizing a vision for a different future: “We believe it’s possible to envision a very different Amazon, with sustainable initiatives that do not harm nature or the culture of indigenous peoples and that are part of resilience.”
Drinking Water and the Fight for Rights
In addition to solar energy, Alianza Ceibo plays a crucial role in public health by distributing 1,164 rainwater filtration systems. These solutions benefit over 6,500 individuals in areas of the Ecuadorian and Colombian Amazon, frequently affected by oil contamination, ensuring access to drinking water and reducing diseases.
Alicia Salazar, a member of the Siona people and part of Alianza Ceibo, highlighted the gap the organization fills: “We are telling the story of a small organization’s work, but we are thinking of our communities and the well-being of the world.” The entity has also achieved significant legal victories, including the annulment of 52 mining concessions considered illegal in A’i Kofan territory. These decisions have strengthened indigenous territorial rights and forest preservation, in addition to promoting free, prior, and informed consent regarding oil and mineral exploration.
The Jury and the Hope for Climate Solutions
The jury of the Gulbenkian Prize, chaired by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, selected Alianza Ceibo from 304 nominations across 73 countries. The choice was motivated by the organization’s remarkable resilience and multifaceted approach.
The award organization announced that “Alianza resorted to the judicial system and the mobilization of local communities to halt deforestation in the region, assert rights over their territories, and introduce sources of clean energy and drinking water.”Johan Rockström, a Swedish scientist and one of the jurors, emphasized that the award serves as an inspiring reminder that solutions to the climate crisis already exist. “In an era of unprecedented environmental risks, it is more important than ever to celebrate hope substantiated by concrete evidence,” he stated.
A Future of Conservation and Autonomy
The recognition from the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity not only celebrates Alianza Ceibo‘s past and present but also paves the way for a promising future. The organization’s co-founders stated that the prize money will be entirely directed towards strengthening and expanding their activities over the next ten years, further solidifying their projects in sustainable energy, drinking water, and the defense of indigenous rights in the Amazon.
Hernán Payaguaje summarized Alianza Ceibo‘s philosophy with a powerful message: “I believe nature has already given enough for human benefit. Now is the time for us, as humanity, to do something for nature.” He envisions a future where Alianza Ceibo‘s successful model can be replicated, inspiring other communities and nations in the pursuit of harmonious and sustainable coexistence with the environment. This award places Alianza Ceibo alongside notable previous winners, such as Lélia Salgado (2023) and Greta Thunberg (2020), reinforcing the organization’s vital role at the forefront of global environmental conservation.
