UN FAO King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2024 ($15,000 prize) Deadline: 1 September, 2024

Applications are open for the UN FAO King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2024. The 6th GSP Plenary Assembly endorsed the establishment of the annual King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award (WSDA), as a recognition tool for individuals and/or institutions that have made an effort to organize successful celebrations in the framework of the World Soil Day campaign of the previous year. The objective of the WSDA is to encourage organizers of WSD events at all levels to facilitate challenging and outstanding celebrations around the globe.

The Award is sponsored by the Kingdom of Thailand, the champion country in the establishment of the now-famous World Soil Day. The UN General Assembly decided in December 2013 to officially designate 5 December as World Soil Day to acknowledge the lifelong work and commitment of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand who has significantly contributed to improving the quality of lives of millions through sustainable soil management.

Award

• The award consists of a medal, a USD $15,000 cheque, as well as a trip to Thailand (if feasible) to receive the prize.

Eligibility

• The Award may be granted to individuals, institutions, NGOs, academia, colleges and universities, private companies or any other entities;
• A wide range of WSD events can be considered for the award. The event has to follow the WSD theme of the year and has to take place between 1 – 15 December.

Selection Criteria

• The organizers should take into consideration the following selection criteria: commitment, public engagement and outreach, awareness raising, inter-institutional work, involvement of the press and media, impact at global, regional, national levels, and the inclusion of educational efforts in their planned activities (if possible).

Deadline: 1 September, 2024

Application

• After the completion of the event, the organizers should fill out the call for application 2024 in any of the official UN languages by September 1, 2024;
• Along with the report, WSD organizers are invited to complete their application by sending to the Secretariat:
  • high quality photographs (preferably accompanied by captions);
  • videos (showing the work-in progress and the results);
  • communication material or any related publications,
  • digital coverage (website/web stories/blog/ social media); and
  • demonstrated wide appeal in the media (i.e. media coverage and press release);

For more information, visit WSDA.