From food insecurity, climate change and biodiversity loss, to lack of access to services, gender inequalities, poverty and outmigration, the world’s mountain regions today face major global challenges.

Yet we are also in a moment of opportunities. A new generation of youth is gearing towards innovative solutions and new strategies to increase the resilience of mountain communities and conserve mountain environments.

In celebration of International Mountain Day 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting institutions and individuals over 18 to submit proposals for transformative projects that contribute to a sustainable tomorrow for mountains, for a chance to win the 2024 Mountain Future Award.

Project submissions should emphasize the following areas:

• Innovation – Innovation should be a key aspect of the project proposal. This could encompass technological (including digital), social, policy, financial, and/or institutional innovations that address complex social, economic and environmental challenges in mountains.
• Adaptation – Project proposals should promote climate adaptation. This could include adaptation strategies tailored to mountain ecosystems and communities, resilient agrifood systems, climate smart agriculture, ecosystem-based approaches to natural resource management, the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems or traditional techniques, and the promotion of circular economy.
• Youth – The active, meaningful participation of youth in decision-making is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of mountain solutions. Project proposals should emphasize youth leadership, such as being youth-led and/or youth-focused, promoting universal and accessible training for young persons in mountains, and empowering young people to be agents of change through digital technology, research and entrepreneurship opportunities that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of mountain resources.

Submissions will be judged by a panel of mountain experts from FAO and the Mountain Partnership. The Mountain Future Award will be presented to the three best project proposals during the official International Mountain Day event.

What the Mountain Future Award offers

Along with international recognition, the three awardees will each receive seed funding of USD 5 000. The winning proposals will also receive project incubation assistance from the FAO Mountain Partnership Secretariat.

Selection criteria

Project proposals will be assessed by an expert jury on the following criteria:

• Impact on mountain communities through promoting climate adaptation, conserving mountain biodiversity and ecosystems and/or enhancing food security and/or reducing disaster risk.
• Innovative aspects of the project, level of innovation, including technological (including digital), social, policy, financial, and/or institutional innovation, application and feasibility of the innovative aspects.
• Involvement of youth to contribute to a sustainable future in mountain areas.

Eligibility

• Applicants may be individuals or institutions.
• Applicants must be the original creators of the original project proposal they submit.
• Eligible proposals can include those for new projects and projects in the initial planning stages. Projects that are already being implemented are not eligible for the Award.

How to apply

The closing date for submissions is 30 October 2024. You can submit your project proposal in English, Spanish or French via the online form.

If you experience trouble using the online form, please submit your proposal via email to the IMD team at [email protected]. The application form should be followed when submitting project proposals.

Selection

The awardees will be selected by an expert jury. The awardees will be notified of their selection via email and invited to the International Mountain Day event in December 2024 where the award ceremony will take place.