Deadline: 31-Oct-2025
In celebration of International Mountain Day 2025, which contributes to the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) invites institutions, established organizations and individuals over the age of 18 to submit proposals for transformative projects that build resilience to glacier-related impacts and strengthen sustainable mountain economies and livelihoods, for a chance to win the 2025 Mountain Future Award.
“Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond” is the theme of International Mountain Day 2025, serving as an opportunity to highlight the importance of glacier preservation for agriculture, water security and the livelihoods of vulnerable mountain communities.
Innovation refers to projects that encompass technological (including digital), social, policy, financial and/or institutional innovations that address complex social, economic and environmental challenges in mountain regions. Adaptation and/or mitigation includes projects that apply adaptation or/and mitigation strategies tailored to mountain ecosystems and communities, such as sustainable water management, data and climate monitoring, resilient agrifood systems, nature-based approaches, the integration of Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge or traditional techniques, and the promotion of circular economy. Youth projects emphasize youth leadership, such as being youth-led and/or youth-focused, and include initiatives that promote universal and accessible training for young people in mountain areas and empower youth as agents of change through digital technology, research or entrepreneurship that contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of mountain resources.
The Mountain Future Award, sponsored by a Mountain Partnership member, will recognize the three best project proposals—one per category. Winners will be selected by mid-November, and the award will be presented during the official International Mountain Day event in December 2025. Each awardee will receive a cash prize to support project implementation, international recognition and visibility opportunities including promotion on FAO and Mountain Partnership platforms, social media features, media outreach and engagement with the Mountain Partnership’s global network. Awardees will also be offered follow-up meetings with the Mountain Partnership Secretariat to discuss project progress.
Applicants must be individuals over the age of 18, institutions or established organizations, and must be the original creators of the project proposal they submit. Eligible proposals may include new projects, or projects in planning, pilot or early implementation stages. Projects that are fully implemented are not eligible. Only projects that operate in or directly benefit mountain regions will be considered. Entirely AI-generated submissions are not permitted, and applicants must demonstrate original thought while being encouraged to disclose any AI-assisted content.
Project proposals will be assessed by a panel of experts from FAO and the Mountain Partnership on the basis of feasibility and sustainability, impact on mountain communities and livelihoods, scalability and replicability, community engagement and inclusivity, level of innovation and technical merit, involvement of youth, and relevance to glacier-related challenges and mountain resilience.
Awardees will be selected by an expert jury. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a brief interview to further present their project. Winners will be notified via email and invited to attend the official award ceremony during the International Mountain Day event.
The deadline for submissions is 31 October 2025. Project proposals may be submitted in English, Spanish or French via the online form. Applicants facing technical difficulties may alternatively submit their proposals via email, ensuring they follow the application form guidelines.
For more information, visit FAO.
