Benoît Maria Prize for Peasant Agroecology

The Benoît Maria Prize for Peasant Agroecology recognizes farmer-led initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture and defend the rights of indigenous and peasant communities. Awarded every two years, it supports agroecological projects across Africa and Latin America with prizes of up to €6,000. The prize highlights impactful, scalable solutions that strengthen farming systems, community resilience, and social justice.

Overview of the Prize

The Benoît Maria Prize for Peasant Agroecology was established in 2022 by Agronomists & Veterinarians Without Borders.

It honours the legacy of Benoît Maria, who worked extensively with indigenous communities in Guatemala to promote agroecology, land rights, and sustainable livelihoods.

The prize supports farmer-led, community-driven agroecological initiatives that deliver environmental, social, and economic impact.

Key Objectives

The prize aims to promote sustainable and equitable agricultural systems.

Core objectives include:

• Advancing agroecology as a sustainable farming model
• Supporting farmer-led innovation
• Defending indigenous and peasant rights
• Strengthening rural livelihoods and resilience
• Promoting dignity and autonomy in farming communities
• Encouraging knowledge sharing and local systems development

What is Agroecology?

Agroecology is a holistic approach to agriculture that integrates ecological principles with farming practices.

Key elements:

• Biodiversity conservation
• Soil health improvement
• Reduced reliance on chemical inputs
• Use of traditional and indigenous knowledge
• Sustainable food systems
• Social equity and farmers’ rights

Prize Categories and Funding

The prize offers financial and recognition-based support.

Award structure:

• First Prize: €6,000
• Second Prize: €3,000
• People’s Choice Award: €3,000

Frequency:

• Awarded every two years

Eligible Applicants

The prize is specifically designed for grassroots farmer organisations.

Eligible entities include:

• Peasant cooperatives
• Producer groups
• Farmer associations
• Umbrella organisations connected to grassroots communities

Eligibility requirements:

• Must be legally registered
• Must have at least 2 years of existence
• Must demonstrate strong community engagement

Eligible Countries

The prize is open to selected countries in Africa and Latin America.

Example eligible countries:

• Senegal
• Mali
• Burkina Faso
• Ivory Coast
• Togo
• Benin
• Madagascar
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Peru
• Haiti
• Bolivia
• Guatemala

Note: Final country list may vary by award cycle.

Types of Projects Supported

The prize supports a wide range of agroecological and community development initiatives.

Examples include:

1. Agroecological Practices

• Organic farming techniques
• Soil restoration and biodiversity protection
• Climate-resilient agriculture

2. Training and Research

• Farmer education programmes
• Knowledge-sharing platforms
• Agroecology research initiatives

3. Infrastructure Development

• Sustainable farming infrastructure
• Processing units and storage systems

4. Support Services

• Seed supply systems
• Local financing mechanisms
• Agricultural advisory services

5. Community and Rights-Based Actions

• Land rights protection
• Strengthening farmers’ organisations
• Cultural and knowledge preservation

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed based on impact, relevance, and sustainability.

Key criteria include:

• Relevance to local agroecological challenges
• Quality and innovation of activities
• Measurable impact on communities
• Benefits for women and youth
• Environmental sustainability
• Scalability and replication potential

Why This Prize Matters

The Benoît Maria Prize plays a critical role in advancing sustainable agriculture globally.

Key impacts:

• Promotes farmer-led innovation
• Supports indigenous knowledge systems
• Strengthens food sovereignty
• Encourages climate-resilient agriculture
• Protects land and community rights
• Amplifies grassroots solutions

How It Works / Application Process

Step-by-step process:

• Identify an agroecological initiative aligned with community needs
• Ensure organisational eligibility and legal status
• Prepare project documentation highlighting impact and results
• Submit application for the prize cycle
• Projects are evaluated by an expert jury
• Selected finalists may gain additional visibility
• Winners receive funding and recognition

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Eligibility mistakes:

• Applying without legal registration
• Insufficient operational history (less than 2 years)

Proposal mistakes:

• Weak demonstration of agroecological impact
• Lack of measurable results
• Poor documentation of community involvement

Strategy mistakes:

• Focusing only on technical farming without social impact
• Ignoring benefits for women and youth
• Lack of scalability or replication potential

Tips for Strong Applications

• Clearly demonstrate agroecological practices in action
• Highlight community-led approach
• Show measurable environmental and social impact
• Include benefits for women and young farmers
• Emphasise sustainability and long-term outcomes
• Present potential for scaling or replication

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Benoît Maria Prize?

It is an international award recognising farmer-led agroecological initiatives that support sustainable agriculture and community rights.

Who can apply?

Peasant organisations, cooperatives, and farmer groups with at least 2 years of legal existence.

What is the prize amount?

€6,000 for first prize, €3,000 for second prize, and €3,000 for the People’s Choice Award.

Which regions are eligible?

Selected countries in Africa and Latin America.

What types of projects are supported?

Agroecology, training, infrastructure, seed systems, and community rights initiatives.

How often is the prize awarded?

Every two years.

What is the main goal of the prize?

To promote agroecology and strengthen the rights and resilience of farming communities.

Conclusion

The Benoît Maria Prize for Peasant Agroecology celebrates impactful, farmer-led solutions that advance sustainable agriculture and social justice. By supporting grassroots organisations and recognising innovative agroecological practices, the prize contributes to building resilient, equitable, and environmentally sustainable food systems across Africa and Latin America.