The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), often referred to as the “Third Pole,” is home to towering glaciers, vast forests, and expansive rangelands that sustain biodiversity, feed Asia’s great rivers, and support mountain communities. Glaciers act as frozen lifelines, providing freshwater to nearly two billion people downstream, regulating river flows, and stabilizing weather patterns. Yet, these ice reserves are melting at unprecedented rates due to climate change, pollution, and shifting precipitation—threatening water security and livelihoods across the region.

Rangelands, covering over half of the HKH, are equally vital. They support rich biodiversity, pastoralist cultures, and millions of livestock that underpin local economies. However, overgrazing, land degradation, and climate impacts place these ecosystems—and the communities that depend on them—at increasing risk. Recognizing their importance, the United Nations declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP) and 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) to promote awareness, investment, and action.

In response, ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development) ‘s  Mountain Prize 2025 celebrates outstanding contributions to glacier preservation and rangeland restoration. Two awards, each worth USD 2,500, will recognize individuals and organizations who protect glaciers, restore rangelands, strengthen pastoral livelihoods, and champion sustainable mountain development. This award, now named the Dr. Andreas Schild Memorial Mountain Prize, honors the legacy of ICIMOD’s former Director General and continues to spotlight champions of mountain resilience, climate action, and community-led innovation across the HKH region.

Key Details and Dates

• Announcement of the call for nominations: 1 August 2025
• Deadline for nominations: 15 October 2025
• Shortlisting and contacting winners: 1 November 2025
• Winners Announcement: 5 December 2025 (ICIMOD Day) or 11 December 2025 (Mountain Day)
• Funding Type: Monetary award
• Organizer: ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development)
• Eligible Countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan (ICIMOD Regional Member Countries)
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Individuals and organizations working in mountain resilience, glacier conservation, or rangeland restoration
• Focus Areas: Glacier preservation, rangeland restoration, sustainable livelihoods, climate action
• Number of Opportunities: 2 prizes
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: ICIMOD Headquarters (Nepal)

Benefits and Prizes

The prize details are as follows:

• Monetary award: USD 2,500 per prize
• Recognition of contribution in glacier preservation or rangeland restoration
• Increased visibility for grassroots projects
• Opportunities to scale impact through ICIMOD’s regional networks
• Global acknowledgement of efforts in climate resilience and sustainable mountain development

Eligibility Criteria

The prize requirements and criteria are as follows:

• Nominees must be individuals or organizations demonstrating significant grassroots engagement in one of the ICIMOD’s Regional Member Countries (RMCs): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, or Pakistan.
• Nominees should have a history of impactful work with visible outcomes, particularly in water and mountain landscape conservation or climate communication.
• Submissions should reflect stories of innovation and sustainability that have the potential to inspire others and scale up effective solutions.

How to Nominate?

• Identify a changemaker working on glaciers or rangelands in an HKH country.
• Complete the nomination form provided by ICIMOD.
• Submit all supporting documents demonstrating the nominee’s impact.
• Follow updates from ICIMOD for jury decisions and award announcements.

Nominate Now

Further details and information are available on the official ICIMOD website.

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