WANGARI MAATHAI "FOREST CHAMPIONS" AWARD - ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2019 AWARDS You are invited to nominate a candidate for the 2019 CPF Wangari Maathai "Forest Champions" Award by 10 May! This is a unique opportunity to acknowledge an inspiring individual who has improved our forests and the lives of people that depend on them. The Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) is awarding one extraordinary individual for improving our forests and the lives of people who depend on them! The CPF launched the first Wangari Maathai Award in 2012 to honour and commemorate the impact of this extraordinary woman who championed forest issues around the world. In 2019, the CPF will award another individual for her/his outstanding achievements for forests. The awardee will receive a cash prize of USD20,000 along with international recognition of the outstanding contributions to preserve, restore and sustainably manage forests and to raise awareness of the key role forests play in supporting local communities, rural livelihoods, women, youth and the environment. The Wangari Maathai Award is an initiative of CBD, CIFOR, CITES, FAO, GEF, ICRAF, ITTO, IUCN, IUFRO, UNCCD, UNDP, UNEP, UNFCCC, UNFF and World Bank, all members of the CPF. Nominations will be reviewed by an international jury of renowned personalities, who will also take into consideration such elements as empowering women, youth and civil society, fostering social commitment, promoting networks and improving the valuation of forests in society. Eligibility: Applicants should be nominated by a third party. Nominees may be persons, living or recently deceased, who have made exceptional contributions to forests. Professional and research contributions will only be considered if they are conducted outside of normal work-related responsibilities. Applications received from a nominee's kin or business partner are not eligible for consideration. Applications related to grassroots initiatives are particularly encouraged. Selection: The closing date for receipt of nominations is 10 May 2019. The awardee will be selected by a jury nominated by CPF members, which will take into account gender and regional balance when considering potential awardees. Announcement: The awardee will be notified of their selection via email in mid-August 2019. This year's Wangari Maathai Award will be presented on 30 September 2019, at the XXV IUFRO World Congress to be held at Expo Unimed on 29 September - 5 October 2019 in Curitiba, Brazil. To submit an application: Please send completed nominations to the CPF Secretariat at cpf(a)un.org. The attached guidelines should be used when submitting your nomination.