The Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) from Teertha village, Kundgol taluk, Dharwad district, wins the prestigious Equator Prize 2025 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for their exceptional work in eco-friendly farming, millet promotion, and women-led rural enterprises.
Key Details:
- Location: Teertha village, Kundgol taluk, Dharwad district, India
- Prize: Equator Prize 2025
- Organization: UNDP
- Theme: Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action
About the Equator Prize:
- Presented by: UNDP
- Purpose: Honors nature-based solutions by indigenous peoples and local communities promoting sustainable development
- 2025 Theme: Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action
- Winners: 10 global winners from various countries
- Prize: $10,000 (~₹8.5 lakh)
- Competition Scale: ~700 nominations from 103 countries
- Award Announcement: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (9 August)
Journey of Bibi Fatima SHG:
- Formed in 2018 by 15 women
- Mentoring Organization: Sahaja Samruddha
Collaborations:
- Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad
- CROPS4HD (Crop Diversity for Human Nutrition)
- Selco Foundation – provided solar-powered electricity for millet processing
- Devadhanya Farmer Producer Company – for rural enterprise promotion
Major Achievements:
- Eco-Friendly Farming in Rainfed Lands
- Community Seed Bank
- Millet Promotion & Processing
- Market Linkages & Rural Enterprises
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams:
- Bibi Fatima Women’s SHG wins UNDP Equator Prize 2025 for their outstanding work in biodiversity conservation and sustainable farming.
- The Equator Prize aims to honor nature-based solutions by indigenous peoples and local communities promoting sustainable development.
- The theme for 2025 is Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action.
- The winners include 10 global winners from various countries, with a prize of $10,000.
- Bibi Fatima SHG’s collaborations and major achievements highlight their commitment to eco-friendly practices and rural entrepreneurship.