Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, attended the opening ceremony of the second edition of the Earthna Summit on Tuesday. The summit, organized by Qatar Foundation, is being held over two days. It is under the theme “Building our Legacy: Sustainability, Innovation and Traditional Knowledge.”
The summit brought together global and local leaders, scientists, architects, activists, and artists. Together, they explored the intersection of traditional knowledge and modern innovation in addressing environmental challenges.
Launched on Earth Day 2024 by the Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future at Qatar Foundation, the Earthna Prize recognizes projects that blend tradition and innovation. It awards those addressing pressing environmental issues. Four winners were selected from 12 finalists.
The winning projects are:
- The Farmer Tantoh Foundation (Cameroon) – Engaging communities in water conservation through the protection of spring catchments. They use indigenous practices and sustainable purification methods.
- Wuasikamas Econeera by Fundacion Suma Kausai (Colombia) – Using Indigenous knowledge to protect biodiversity.
- Seeds of Change Initiative by Blooming World International (Kenya) – Tackling food insecurity by reviving traditional farming practices. They promote African indigenous vegetables and empower women and youth.
- Thriving Fishers, Thriving Oceans by Blue Ventures (Kenya, Senegal, Indonesia, Madagascar, and Belize)– Working with coastal communities to restore fisheries. They aim to combat overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change.
Executive Director of Earthna, Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, praised the winners for their forward-thinking approaches rooted in tradition. “The Earthna Prize celebrates innovations that draw on deep-rooted knowledge and experience. Our winners remind us that innovation isn’t always about new technologies.”
Nada El Kharashi is a local sustainability designer and graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar. The design represents a sound wave of the word “Earthna,” reimagined as a sculptural expression of the initiative’s impact.
A global committee selected 12 finalists, and an international jury conducted a final review. The jury included Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Ivan Duque, Robin Hanbury-Tenison, Frannie Leautier, and Mary Robinson.
