Deadline: 26-Jul-2026
The 2026 WIN DRR Leadership Awards recognize women across the Asia-Pacific region who are making outstanding contributions to disaster risk reduction (DRR) and resilience. The awards provide international recognition and cash prizes of up to US$10,000 for women demonstrating leadership, innovation, and measurable impact in disaster preparedness, recovery, governance, and community resilience.
Overview
The 2026 WIN DRR Leadership Awards are now accepting nominations from women across the Asia-Pacific region who are advancing disaster risk reduction (DRR), resilience, and climate adaptation through leadership, innovation, and community impact.
The awards are organized through the Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) and support the implementation of the Sendai Framework Gender Action Plan (Sendai GAP). The initiative highlights the critical role of women in strengthening disaster resilience and promoting inclusive decision-making in disaster management.
What Are the WIN DRR Leadership Awards?
The WIN DRR Leadership Awards celebrate women who are creating positive change in disaster risk reduction and resilience across the Asia-Pacific region.
The awards recognize achievements in areas such as:
- Disaster preparedness
- Community resilience
- Disaster recovery
- Risk governance
- Climate adaptation
- Emergency management
- Resilient infrastructure
- Disaster policy and planning
- Investment in resilience
- Inclusive DRR leadership
The awards align with the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and encourage greater participation of women in leadership and decision-making roles.
Award Categories
1. WIN DRR Rising Star Award
Prize: US$7,500
This category recognizes emerging and mid-level professionals who have demonstrated strong potential and meaningful contributions to disaster risk reduction.
Typical candidates:
- 2–7 years of DRR experience
- Emerging leaders
- Early- and mid-career practitioners
- Professionals demonstrating innovation and commitment
2. WIN DRR Excellence Award
Prize: US$10,000
Sponsored by SM Prime Holdings, this category honors women who have demonstrated sustained leadership and significant contributions to disaster resilience over an extended career.
Typical candidates:
- More than 10 years of experience
- Senior practitioners and leaders
- Experts with measurable impact at local, national, or international levels
- Professionals influencing DRR policy and practice
Funding and Recognition
Successful award recipients will receive:
| Award Category | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| Rising Star Award | US$7,500 |
| Excellence Award | US$10,000 |
In addition to financial support, winners receive:
- Regional recognition across Asia-Pacific
- Visibility within the DRR community
- Recognition for leadership and innovation
- Opportunities to inspire future women leaders
- Participation in the official awards ceremony
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Eligible Nominees
Nominees must:
- Identify as women
- Be citizens or permanent residents of eligible Asia-Pacific countries
- Work in disaster risk reduction or disaster resilience
- Demonstrate leadership and measurable impact in the field
Nomination Types
Both of the following are accepted:
- Self-nominations
- Third-party nominations
Reapplications
- Previously nominated candidates may apply again.
- Previously shortlisted candidates may reapply.
- Previous award winners are not eligible.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The following individuals cannot be nominated:
- Previous WIN DRR Leadership Award winners
- Current UNDRR staff
- Former UNDRR staff
- Current or former DFAT staff
- Current UNDRR contractors
- Individuals working for organizations currently receiving grants from UNDRR
- Individuals working for organizations contracted by UNDRR
Why These Awards Matter
Women often play critical roles in disaster preparedness, recovery, and resilience-building but remain underrepresented in decision-making positions.
The WIN DRR Leadership Awards aim to:
- Increase visibility of women leaders
- Promote gender-inclusive disaster governance
- Support implementation of the Sendai Framework Gender Action Plan
- Encourage innovation in resilience-building
- Strengthen community-centered disaster solutions
- Inspire future generations of women working in DRR
Selection Criteria
Rising Star Award Evaluation
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Meaningful contributions to DRR
- Leadership potential
- Commitment to the field
- Innovative approaches
- Positive community impact
Excellence Award Evaluation
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Exceptional leadership
- Long-term commitment to DRR
- Significant professional achievements
- Measurable impact
- Contributions at local, national, or international levels
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Review the eligibility requirements and determine the most appropriate award category.
Step 2: Prepare Nomination Materials
Gather information that demonstrates:
- Professional experience
- Leadership achievements
- DRR contributions
- Community impact
- Measurable outcomes
Step 3: Submit the Nomination
Submit either:
- A self-nomination, or
- A nomination on behalf of another eligible candidate
Step 4: Assessment Process
Nominations will be reviewed against the published award criteria and evaluated based on leadership, innovation, and impact.
Step 5: Award Announcement
Selected winners will be recognized during the official online awards ceremony.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When preparing a nomination:
Avoid These Errors
- Providing limited evidence of impact
- Failing to demonstrate leadership outcomes
- Submitting incomplete information
- Focusing only on job responsibilities rather than achievements
- Not quantifying results where possible
- Selecting the wrong award category
Best Practices
- Include measurable achievements
- Highlight innovative approaches
- Demonstrate community or policy impact
- Show leadership beyond formal job titles
- Provide clear examples of resilience-building work
Key Themes Supported by the Awards
The awards particularly value work related to:
- Disaster risk reduction
- Climate resilience
- Community preparedness
- Recovery and reconstruction
- Inclusive governance
- Gender-responsive disaster management
- Resilient infrastructure
- Risk-informed development
- Emergency response systems
- Sustainable resilience investments
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can apply for the WIN DRR Leadership Awards?
Women who are citizens or permanent residents of eligible Asia-Pacific countries and actively involved in disaster risk reduction or resilience work.
2. Can I nominate myself?
Yes. Both self-nominations and third-party nominations are accepted.
3. Can previous nominees apply again?
Yes. Previously nominated or shortlisted candidates may submit a new nomination.
4. Are previous winners eligible?
No. Previous WIN DRR Leadership Award winners cannot apply again.
5. What is the prize amount?
The Rising Star Award provides US$7,500, while the Excellence Award provides US$10,000.
6. What types of work are recognized?
The awards recognize contributions to disaster preparedness, resilience, recovery, governance, policy development, community engagement, and other DRR-related activities.
7. When will the winners be announced?
The awards will be presented during an online ceremony on 13 October 2026, coinciding with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Conclusion
The 2026 WIN DRR Leadership Awards provide an important platform for recognizing women who are strengthening disaster resilience and advancing risk reduction across the Asia-Pacific region. Through cash awards, regional recognition, and alignment with the Sendai Framework Gender Action Plan, the initiative celebrates women leaders whose work is creating safer, more resilient communities and shaping the future of disaster risk reduction.
For more information, visit UNDRR.