Greta Thunberg Awarded 1 Million Euros Prize For Humanity

Greta Thunberg has been awarded the first edition of the international Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. Greta was selected among 136 nominees from 46 different countries. The prize comes with €1,000,000 award. 

Greta Thunberg's foundation will donate the money to charitable projects fighting the climate crisis and to support people facing the worst impacts. SOS Amazonia campaign will receive €100.000, and another €100.000 will go to the Stop Ecocide Foundation. 

The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity aims to recognise people and organisations from all over the world 'whose contributions to mitigation and adaptation to climate change stand out for its novelty, innovation and impact.'

The Grand Jury of the Prize was composed of scientists, university teachers, researchers, politicians, artists, writers and environmental activists. 

The jury has highlighted Thunberg's 'charismatic and inspiring personality, but also the force of her singular and distressing message capable of arousing disparate feelings, and her capacity to make a difference in the fight against climate change'.

Jorge Sampaio, Chair of the Grand Jury of the Prize, commented: "The way Greta Thunberg has been able to mobilise younger generations for the cause of climate change and her tenacious struggle to alter a status quo that persists, makes her one of the most remarkable figures of our days". 

He has also pointed out Greta's 'enormous responsibility in consolidating her pedagogical role and her leadership in the fight against climate change, as a condition for sustainable development, towards which the attribution of this Prize aims to contribute.'

The President of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Isabel Mota, added: "By awarding this Prize, the Foundation highlights its commitment to urgent climate action, fostering communities that are more resilient and better prepared for future global changes, while also protecting, in particular, the most vulnerable".

Commenting on the award, Greta Thunberg wrote on Instagram: "I'm extremely honoured to receive the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. We're in a climate emergency, and my foundation will as quickly as possible donate all the prize money of 1 million Euros to support organisations and projects that are fighting for a sustainable world, defending nature and supporting people already facing the worst impacts of the climate and ecological crisis — particularly those living in the Global South. Starting with giving €100.000 to the SOS Amazonia campaign, led by Fridays For Future Brazil to tackle Covid-19 in the Amazon, and €100.000 to the Stop Ecocide Foundation to support their work to make ecocide an international crime."

Greta Thunberg is a 17-year-old environmental activist from Sweden. She is known for alerting to the climate crisis and its consequences for future generations. She was awarded the title "Person of the Year" by Time Magazine in 2019. Forbes Magazine has also included Greta in the list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women of 2019, and she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.