UNESCO is now accepting nominations for the UNESCO–Japan Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Prize. Established in 2014 and funded by the government of Japan, this prize recognizes outstanding initiatives in education for sustainable development. Eligible candidates can submit nominations for projects or programs that are innovative, integrated with sustainable development principles, and capable of driving individual and social change. The deadline for nominations is approaching, and the prize amounts to USD 50,000.

Details:

Number of awards: 3

Award amounts: Each award $50,000

Deadline: May 16, 2025

Location of the ceremony: Paris, France

Eligibility for nomination:

Applicants who are one of the following:

• Individuals
• Institutions
• Organizations
• Or Other entities engaged in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
• Meet the nomination eligibility criteria.

Similar opportunities: 

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• Nominations for WIN WIN Sustainability Youth Award 2021 now open! (up to $6,000)
• Jacobs Foundation Research Prize 2021 for Outstanding Scientific Contributions (1Million Swiss Francs)
• Roux Prize 2021 Nominations Now Open for Contributions in the Health Sector ($100,000 prize)
• Yidan Prize 2021 for Research and Development in Education Worldwide (HK$60 million)

Selection criteria:

The project or program will be selected based on the criteria below:

• Transformation: how the project is transformative and can lead to individual and social change. Promoting social entrepreneurship, supporting the people struggling against poverty, acting against climate change, and be able to bring a positive impact and change.
• Integration: The project should be integrated with Sustainable development
• Innovation: the project should be innovative in methodology, learning environment.
• Currently ongoing: be running for at least four years
• Scalability and applicability
• Impact

How to nominate for the UNESCO ESD Prize:

The nomination form should be submitted online.  The nomination can only be completed online by the Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, an NGO in official partnership with UNESCO and/or a national commission to UNESCO

For any query, please get in touch with the secretariat of the prize: esdprize@unesco.org

Nominate Now

For more info, please visit the UNESCO website