We are delighted to share incredible news from our Kalimantan partner, Ranu Welum, who has been awarded the prestigious Equator Prize 2025 granted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The Equator Prize is an internationally recognised award celebrating Indigenous and locally-led nature-based solutions: protecting ecosystems, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting inclusive green economies for climate resilience.
The 2025 Equator Prize reviewed over 700 nominations across 103 countries. Of this, Ranu Welum has been named one of just ten winners globally. This recognition shines a glowing light on their extraordinary work in defending forests, assuring Indigenous rights, and building pathways for the next generation of Indigenous leaders.
Innovative Programs, Local Impact
The Equator Prize awarded to Ranu Welum honours their groundbreaking work in empowering Indigenous youth, protecting Kalimantan’s forests, and amplifying Indigenous voices on the global stage. Ranu Welum’s signature programs include:
- Youth Act Kalimantan: mobilising Indigenous youth as “earth champions” to monitor and safeguard the environment using both traditional knowledge and modern technology.
- Haze Shelter: an innovation designed to protect vulnerable communities from the devastating health impacts of haze pollution during fire season
- Kalimantan Indigenous Film Festival: providing platform for Indigenous storytellers to share their stories, perspectives, and culture to the world.
A message from the Founder:
Ranu Welum’s Founder and Director, Emmanuela Shinta, shares that the Equator award reflects the collective efforts of Ranu Welum’s dedicated team, community partners, and the spirit of the Dayak people:
“We are deeply humbled and gratified to receive the Equator Prize 2025. This award reflects the collective efforts of our dedicated team, community partners, and the inspirational spirits of Dayak people. This recognition empowers us to continue our journey as we know now that we are heard, never alone.”
Upcoming plan:
Ranu Welum Foundation continues to grow and this award is not only just recogniton of Ranu Welum’s achivements, but is also a launching pad for the future. Building on this milestone achievement, Ranu Welum are working to further strengthen a number of Indigenous-led initiatives.
These initiatives include: The Heartland Project (landscape restoration), Dayak Academy & Cultural Center (Indigenous education), and ii-Seed Box (a mini grant making program to support indigenous youth initiative).
The Heartland Project team at work in Kalimantan. All Images: Ranu Welum Media
Proposed building design for their Academy & Cultural Centre. All Images: Ranu Welum Media
Congratulations from all of us at IEF
At IEF, we are so proud to stand beside our inspirational partner and friends at Ranu Welum Foundation. Their work shows how much can be achieved when people care deeply for their land, their culture, and their community. This award is a wonderful recognition of their spirit and determination, and we feel inspired by what they continue to achieve.
Congratulations to the entire Ranu Welum Foundation team on this well-deserved honour. Your journey continues to inspire us all and shows the remarkable things that can happen when Indigenous wisdom passed down through generations is carried forward and harnessed with with fresh ideas and energy.
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