Deadline: March 1, 2023
Do you know any courageous and innovative change-makers who strive to create a more just, peaceful and sustainable world for those around them? Nominate the for the Right Livelihood Award 2023.
The Right Livelihood Award was established in 1980 to “honour and support courageous people solving global problems”. It has become widely known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ and there are over 174 Laureates from more than 70 countries.
About the Right Livelihood Award
In 1979, the Swedish-German philanthropist and stamp collector Jakob von Uexkull turned to the Nobel Foundation with the proposal to create two new Nobel Prizes, one environmental award and one award to promote knowledge and perspectives of people in poor countries. To fund the prizes, he offered to sell his stamp collection, worth more than one million US Dollars, and donate the money to the Nobel Foundation.
Jakob was alarmed by the disconnect between the urgency of global problems and the way the international community was dealing with them. He saw how decision-makers were meeting behind closed doors, out of touch with reality. Activists and civil society organisations were at the same time gathering outside the meeting rooms, often presenting constructive solutions to the problems. But their proposals were not taken seriously, and Jakob wanted to do something about it.
“Whoever gets the Nobel Prize will be listened to”, he thought and contacted the Nobel Foundation, which politely rejected the proposal to establish two new awards. There and then, Jakob decided to create the Right Livelihood Award to support people fighting for a just, peaceful and sustainable world. He went ahead and sold parts of the stamp collection, and that was how it all began. The Right Livelihood Award received a lot of attention when it was presented for the first time in 1980, one day before the Nobel Prize. Today, it is one of the most prestigious awards in sustainability, social justice and peace.
Income from the sale of stamps generated sufficient means to kick off the prize but ever since the Right Livelihood Award has been receiving its funding from private donors. A unique feature is that the Award comes with long-term support that includes networking and protection for Laureates under threat. Because of its founding history, it has come to be known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’.
Award
Typically, the Jury selects recipients for three Cash Awards and one Honorary Award each year.
- The Cash Awards are intended for work in progress or the extension of existing activities; they are never given for personal use.
- The Honorary Award is intended for nominees whose primary need is not cash support but who would benefit from the considerable recognition and publicity, which the Right Livelihood Award generates.
- The Honorary Award may also be applicable in cases where it is not safe for the nominee to receive future funds.
Eligibility
- Nominations for the Right Livelihood Award are fully open to the public;
- Nominee may be from any country of the world;
- Nominations are accepted in English, French and Spanish and can be submitted from mid-December until early March.
Nomination
Once a nomination has been received, the organisers reach out directly to the nominee for some points of information and their formal consent, which is a key aspect of their “do no harm” principle.
Click here to submit nomination
For more information, visit Right Livelihood Award.
