UNCCD Land Heroes Challenge 2020 (USD500 cash prize)

Application Deadline: 15 May 2020

UNCCD invites you to mobilize the youth to take care of land as part of the solution to climate change.

The incredible power and deep concern of young people for the climate emergency is evident proven. We have witnessed youth in action during protests and strikes (Fridays for Climate movement is going strong and growing, after nearly 100 weeks) and similar movements are born all around the world, following the same purpose: to ensure a sustainable future for all.

You are already making a difference. Let’s take it further !

How is land connected to climate change?

• Land degradation is a driver of climate change, because it increases emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and reduces carbon uptake
• Desertification exacerbates climate change in many ways: loss of vegetation, sand and dust storms and greenhouse gas emissions
• In turn, climate change worsens desertification
• Land degradation can be avoided, reduced or reversed by managing land sustainably and applying land restoration and rehabilitation measures
• Healthy land acts as a powerful carbon sink, becoming an effective solution to climate change
• Land restoration is one of the cheapest solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss
• Indigenous and local knowledge in managing land sustainably (women are often the guardians of this knowledge) is invaluable for building resilience against climate change and desertification

Requirements:

• The campaign “Become #UNCCDLandHeroes” appeals to the youth (15-30 years old) worldwide. It is a social media campaign “by the youth for the youth” that will trend under #UNCCDLandHeroes and #FoodFeedFibre.
• By entering the contest, you are automatically considered a UNCCD Land Hero.

Prize:

• A USD500 cash prize will be awarded to one of participating UNCCD Land Heroes for an outstanding project with significant outreach capacity, to invest in the impactful and scalable action to be implemented by the end of 2021.
• The winner will be selected by the UNCCD secretariat, and the project widely promoted on social media and shared with UNCCD Land Ambassadors for them to support through their channels. The winning project will also be showcased at UNCCD major events, such as Desertification and Drought Day global observance event.

For More Information:

Visit the Webpage of the UNCCD Land Heroes Challenge 2020