Applications are open until November 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM.

“Honoring Women Leading Climate Action and Driving Change”

Background and Purpose

Pakistan is among the nations most severely affected by the global climate crisis, grappling with recurring floods, droughts, water shortages, extreme heatwaves, and food insecurity. These environmental challenges have a particularly harsh impact on women and girls, who face systemic inequalities, limited access to resources, and minimal inclusion in decision-making processes.

Despite these barriers, women across Pakistan continue to lead inspiring efforts to protect the environment — from restoring degraded ecosystems and promoting sustainable farming practices to strengthening community resilience and influencing climate-related policy and advocacy. However, their leadership and achievements are often overlooked in mainstream narratives and policy frameworks.

To address this gap, the Gender Climate Award 2026 – Pakistan has been launched to recognize, amplify, and celebrate women who are driving meaningful action against climate change. This initiative is implemented by the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change with support from the Embassy of France in Pakistan, UNDP Pakistan, UN Women, the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, and the Aga Khan Development Network. The award highlights the essential role of women as equal contributors to building a sustainable future.

Women across the country are making remarkable progress in fields such as civil society, academia, science, media, technology, innovation, and public policy. The award provides a national platform for them to showcase their accomplishments, share their stories, and inspire others to take action.

Award Purpose

The Gender Climate Award 2026 seeks to honor exceptional women who are addressing climate and environmental challenges across Pakistan. It aims to promote gender-responsive solutions at all levels of society, encourage female participation and leadership in climate governance, and highlight success stories that inspire replication and collaboration. The award also contributes to Pakistan’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) — as well as the country’s Climate Change Gender Action Plan (ccGAP).

Climate Leadership Categories

The award will recognize women working across multiple areas of climate leadership, including community-based initiatives, technological innovation, public policy, youth engagement, and storytelling for climate advocacy. It celebrates grassroots leaders advancing climate resilience, entrepreneurs creating sustainable solutions, policymakers driving environmental governance, young activists championing climate justice, and media professionals raising awareness through journalism and creative expression.

Evaluation and Eligibility

Applicants will be assessed on the impact of their work, their commitment to inclusion and diversity, the innovation behind their approach, and the long-term sustainability and scalability of their initiatives.

The award is open to all women contributing to climate leadership in Pakistan who can demonstrate at least five years of experience and measurable impact in their work. It welcomes applications from women living and working anywhere in the country to ensure representation of diverse regions and perspectives.

Government-led initiatives and previous award winners are not eligible for consideration.

Award Benefits

Two outstanding women will each receive a cash prize of PKR 1 million in recognition of their exceptional contributions. Award recipients will also be encouraged to present a clear plan for how they intend to utilize the prize money, along with follow-up updates demonstrating how the funds are helping strengthen their impact as changemakers in climate action.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity