Application Deadline: 18 April 2025 (UTC+1, Paris time)
Applications are now open for the 2025 UNESCO-Japan Prize on Education for Sustainable Development. The UNESCO-Japan Prize on Education for sustainable development, funded by the Government of Japan, consists of three annual awards of USD 50,000 for each recipient. It was awarded for the first time by the Director-General of UNESCO in November 2015.
The Prize and award winners recognize the role of education in connecting the social, economic, cultural and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. It was established by the Executive Board of UNESCO at its 195th session within the framework of the Global Action Programme (GAP) on ESD and officially announced at the UNESCO World Conference on ESD (10-12 November 2014, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan).
Programme Details
- Awards: Three recipients will receive USD 50,000 each.
- Frequency: The prize is awarded once per biennium (i.e., 2021, 2023, and 2025).
- Management: The current cycle (2020-2025) was established following the Executive Board’s decision in November 2019.
- Evaluation: Winners are selected by the Director-General of UNESCO based on recommendations from an independent jury of five experts.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the UNESCO-Japan Prize on ESD, the nominated project or program must:
- Be ongoing and have been running for at least four years.
- Demonstrate significant impact relative to the resources invested.
- Address all three dimensions of sustainable development: society, economy, and environment.
- Incorporate transformative, integrative, and innovative approaches to ESD.
- Be replicable and scalable for broader impact.
- Contribute to one or more priority action areas under the ESD for 2030 framework.
Selection Criteria
The UNESCO jury assesses nominations based on:
- Transformation: How the project enables learners to bring about positive change.
- Integration: The extent to which the project incorporates social, economic, and environmental dimensions.
- Innovation: Unique approaches in themes, methodologies, or partnerships that advance ESD.
How to Apply
- Complete the Online Nomination Form
- Available in English or French via the official UNESCO platform.
- Must be submitted by a government’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO or an NGO/foundation in official partnership with UNESCO.
- Submit the Nomination Form
- The completed form must be submitted online by the Permanent Delegation, NGO, or foundation.
- Supporting materials (e.g., publications, photos, videos) must be uploaded electronically.
- The nomination should be clear, structured, and follow all guidelines.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the UNESCO-Japan Prize on Education for Sustainable Development
