Nominations are open for Forbes’ Sustainability Leaders list. Forbes seeks leaders spanning all industries and disciplines in recognition that a diverse climate movement is critical. Forbes Sustainability Leaders will serve as a directory of those driving the innovative and scalable solutions the world needs. The list is open to visionary startup founders mobilizing and scaling technological advancements, C-Suite executives taking risks and accelerating current gold-standard climate policy, scientists, policymakers, social advocates, investors, storytellers, and artists. The deadline to submit all nominations for the list is 13 June 2025. Forbes Sustainability Leaders
awards/prizes
Allianz Global Investors — Illustration Competition
The “Art on Climate” International Illustration Competition invites illustrators to create artworks that address the theme of climate change. The goal is to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and solutions to tackle climate change. Prizes range from €2,000 to €150. Any person aged 18 or above is eligible to participate. The artwork has to be registered and uploaded by 31 July 2025. International Illustration Competition
iF International Forum Design GmbH — Social Impact Prize
The iF Social Impact Prize aims to publish and support design projects that contribute to solving urgent challenges and help to improve living conditions in the developing world. Solutions should already be established and help to solve well-known issues in any category of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The best projects will share a cash prize of €100 thousand in total. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, companies, and foundations (student concepts will not be accepted). The application deadline is 01 September 2025. iF Social Impact Prize
Women of the Future Awards — Nominations Southeast Asia
The Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia showcases regional emerging leaders to encourage, motivate, and provide role models for future female Asian leaders. The Awards are open to women aged 35 or under. Candidates must be citizens or permanent residents of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, or Myanmar. All shortlisted candidates will be invited to join our Women of the Future global community and receive a complimentary place to attend the 2025 WOF Awards in Southeast Asia. Nominations will close on 08 September 2025. Details
World Photography Organization — Sony World Photography Awards
The Sony World Photography Awards, one of the world’s leading photography competitions, recognizes the best single images from across 10 diverse categories, including ‘Landscape’ and ‘Natural World & Wildlife’. The overall winner in the Open Competition will receive US$5 thousand plus photography equipment. The closing date for entries is 06 January 2026. Know more
UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program — Young Scientist Awards 2025
UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program makes grants for conservation research through its Young Scientists Awards. The Award targets young researchers (not older than 35 years) carrying out interdisciplinary research on ecosystems, natural resources and biodiversity. Priority is given to projects carried out in the world’s biosphere reserves. Awards are up to US$5 thousand. The deadline for applications (English, French) is 15 May 2025. MAB Young Scientists Awards
World Food Forum — Startup Innovation Awards
The World Food Forum Startup Innovation Awards is a global startup competition to support and showcase innovators and entrepreneurs who harness technology to drive the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems to end global hunger. The World Food Forum seeks applications for the 2025 Extreme Tech Challenge. The competition is open to companies whose work impacts an element of agrifood systems: production, aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption, and disposal of food products. Participants can win up to US$80 thousand, have the potential for global visibility, and the ability to raise capital. The closing date for applications is 22 May 2025. WFF Startup Innovation Awards
Yale School of the Environment — Film Contest
The Yale Environment 360 Film Contest accepts entries of environmental films from around the world. Submissions should focus on an environmental issue and be a maximum of 20 minutes in length. The first-place winner will receive US$3,000, the second-place winner US$2,000, and the third-place winner US$1,000. The deadline for entries is 25 May 2025. Yale Environment 360 Film Contest
Caribbean Biodiversity Fund — Awards for Conservation Heroes
The Biodiversity Excellence Awards for Conservation Heroes (BEACH) honors outstanding individuals and organizations for their contributions to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development within the Caribbean. The nominees must have a proven track record of actively implementing projects in the Caribbean region. The deadline for nominations is 03 June 2025. Awards for Conservation Heroes
Meaningful Business 100 — Entrepreneur Award
The Meaningful Business 100 (MB100) is an annual award program that honors global leaders who effectively combine profit and purpose to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The award is open to social entrepreneurs, corporate sustainability leaders, impact investors, and micro-entrepreneurs across various industries and regions. Individuals can nominate themselves or others. The deadline for entries is 15 June 2025. Know more