The Earthshot Prize, founded by HRH Prince William, selects a project initiated with the support of Luxembourg
Founded and chaired by His Royal Highness Prince William, it is the world's most prestigious and influential environmental award, recognising innovative solutions to the planet's greatest challenges. Friendship is nominated for the reforestation of mangroves in Bangladesh, which was initiated in 2018 thanks to Luxembourg funds, as well as for its integrated approach to climate resilience for Bangladesh's most vulnerable communities.
Selected from nearly 2,500 nominations submitted by a network of 575 nominators from 72 countries, Friendship successfully passed a rigorous scientific evaluation process. The 15 finalists were chosen by an international advisory committee of over 100 experts from the fields of conservation, science, technology, economics, finance, academia and politics. The five winners of the prize will be announced on 5 November in Rio by HRH Prince William.
Founded in 2002 in Bangladesh by Runa Khan and established in Luxembourg since 2006 using a south-north model, Friendship combines local roots with international support to carry out projects that are adapted to the realities on the ground. The mangrove reforestation programme was designed with the help of the Hëllef fir d'Natur Foundation and the first plantations were financed thanks to the support of the Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity (MECB), as part of its international climate financing strategy. The support of the MECB, which was decisive in reforesting the first 100 hectares, enabled the model to be tested and validated. The project was then extended thanks to private donors, including Banque Raiffeisen and its customers as part of the reforestation initiative carried out with the Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur.
To date, 218 ha have already been restored with more than 660,000 trees planted, including 300,000 thanks to the MECB and 60,000 thanks to Banque Raiffeisen credit cards. Every 200th transaction made by its customers helps to plant a tree in Luxembourg or Bangladesh. And there's more to come! New contacts with a number of international donors point to a major expansion of the programme in the coming years. The pioneering role played by Luxembourg in launching the pilot project is all the more important.
Faced with increasing flooding, storms, cyclones, coastal erosion and soil salinisation, mangroves offer natural, sustainable and affordable protection. These ecosystems improve the resilience of millions of people in coastal communities who are on the front line of climate disasters. Mangrove forests have a major impact on :
- protect against cyclones, tides and floods; ;
- reduce erosion and salinisation.
- create carbon sinks with, to date, approximately 15,000 tonnes of CO2 removed from the atmosphere as a result of Friendship's plantations; ;
- create havens of biodiversity; ;
- Provide sustainable sources of income for local communities through crab collection, improved fishing, honey production and fruit picking.
This reforestation programme illustrates Friendship's integrated community-based adaptation model. Bangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis and, as such, is often seen as a laboratory for adaptation. The urgency of the crisis calls for innovative solutions. Friendship is part of this dynamic, combining healthcare and education services with climate resilience projects that save lives, restore ecosystems and create opportunities for the most vulnerable communities, always with a focus on women and young people. Innovation is a subtle blend of essential services, agro-ecological practices, natural sciences and social engineering. The inclusive approach creates strong buy-in because all stakeholders have a stake in it.
With COP30 just around the corner, this recognition by Earthshot highlights a model to be promoted as part of international climate commitments (synergy with the Rio conventions). It is a concrete example that solutions exist, are adapted to the local context, are realistic, replicable, financeable and sustainable.
Runa Khan, founder of Friendship: « Being a finalist for the Earthshot Award is an honour that highlights the resilience and innovation of Bangladeshi communities living on the frontline of climate change. From our first floating hospital to restoring mangroves and building flood resilient villages, we have proven that community-led nature-based solutions can transform lives. This recognition amplifies the voices of those most affected and shows that local adaptation is both possible and essential. As so often in the past, it is thanks to the support of Friendship Luxembourg and its public and private donors that we have been able to embark on an innovative programme that has now earned us international recognition, and I am particularly pleased about that. ».
Serge Wilmes, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity: « This recognition shows that Luxembourg's support for projects maximising synergies between climate adaptation and biodiversity protection in southern countries is an effective action. It is a wise investment because it has a tangible impact and contributes to global climate objectives, particularly with regard to adaptation, an area that is often underfunded. Mangroves are a perfect example of the nexus between climate and the environment: they protect coastlines from extreme weather, provide a habitat for many species, absorb CO₂ and strengthen the resilience of local communities. The Department of the Environment Climate and Biodiversity is delighted to have been able to make a decisive contribution to the start of a programme destined for considerable expansion by funding this innovative Friendship project. This enables our funding to have a significant leverage effect. ».
Jacques Hoffmann, Head of ESG & Member of the Executive Board - Raiffeisen Bank: « The negative effects of climate change affect the whole planet. This is why, in addition to our local initiatives such as tree planting in Luxembourg, our Bank has chosen to support the reforestation project run by Friendship in Bangladesh. We are proud that this project, which perfectly illustrates the complementary nature of environmental, social and governance issues, has already won international recognition by being named a finalist for the Earthshot prize. It's a real source of inspiration, demonstrating the synergy created around a single project, where players from different backgrounds have been able to join forces to generate positive impacts and help reduce the consequences of climate change in a world turned upside down. ».
Frankie Thielen, Director of Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur: « During a visit to Bangladesh, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, Patrick Losch, was able to convince Runa Khan that, in the Bangladesh context, a nature-based solution could offer major advantages over very costly conventional solutions for protecting dykes. With experience in ecosystem management at the heart of the Foundation's work, we were able to provide ecosystem-based conceptual support during the development of the project. We are particularly proud that Friendship's mangrove planting programme has proved that a win-win relationship is possible with nature and the local population. ».
About Friendship Luxembourg
In Bangladesh, a country facing some of humanity's most pressing challenges, Friendship strengthens marginalised communities and empowers people to transform their lives and reach their full potential. Operational since 2002, the social-profit organisation reaches 7.5 million people every year in the most remote areas affected by the climate crisis, through an integrated and innovative development model. Friendship's four commitments (saving lives, reducing poverty, adapting to climate change and promoting empowerment, particularly through education and gender equality) are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Friendship Luxembourg was founded in 2006 to support the work of Friendship Bangladesh. By acting as an intermediary, while promoting direct contact, between the beneficiary communities in Bangladesh and those who support their action, the association aims to create a better understanding and stronger relations between donors and beneficiaries.
Founded in 2006, the Luxembourg-based ASBL supports the work of Friendship Bangladesh. It acts as an intermediary, promoting direct contact between the beneficiary communities and their supporters in order to strengthen mutual understanding and forge strong, lasting links between donors and beneficiaries.