Applications are invited for the King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2023. Submit your applications by September 15, 2023!

About World Soil Day

World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on 5 December as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and advocating for the sustainable management of soil resources. 

An international day to celebrate Soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002. Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, FAO has supported the formal establishment of WSD as a global awareness-raising platform. The FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and requested its official adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly. In December 2013 the UN General Assembly responded by designating 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day. 

About the Award

The 6th GSP Plenary Assembly endorsed the establishment of the annual  King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award (WSDA), as a recognition tool for individuals and/or institutions that have made an effort to organize successful celebrations in the framework of the World Soil Day campaign of the previous year.

The objective of the WSDA is to encourage organizers of WSD events at all levels to facilitate challenging and outstanding celebrations around the globe.

The Award is sponsored by the Kingdom of Thailand, the champion country in the establishment of the now-famous World Soil Day. The UN General Assembly decided in December 2013 to officially designate 5 December as World Soil Day to acknowledge the lifelong work and commitment of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand who has significantly contributed to improving the quality of lives of millions through sustainable soil management.

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Award

The award consists of a medal, a USD 15,000 (Rs. 12.5L) cheque, as well as a trip to Thailand (if feasible) to receive the prize. 

Eligibility Criteria

  • The Award may be granted to individuals, institutions, NGOs, academia, colleges and universities, private companies or any other entities;
  • A wide range of WSD events can be considered for the award. The event has to follow the WSD theme of the year and has to take place between December 1 to 15.

How to Apply?

  • After the completion of the event, the organizers should submit the WSD report (Fill out the call for application 2022) to the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) Secretariat (GSP[hyphen]Secretariat[at]fao[dot]org) in any of the official UN languages by September 15, 2023.
  • Pictures taken throughout the event must be shared on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok) with the hashtags #WorldSoilDay and #GlobalSoilPartnership #UNFAO.
  • Along with the report, WSD organizers are invited to complete their application by sending to the Secretariat:
    • high-quality photographs (preferably accompanied by captions);
    • videos (showing the work-in-progress and the results);
    • communication material or any related publications,
    • digital coverage (website/web stories/blog/ social media); and
    • demonstrated wide appeal in the media (i.e. media coverage and press release).

Selection Committee

The  King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award Selection Committee consists of the eight Chairs of the Regional Soil Partnerships; the Chair of the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS); the Chair of the Global Soil Partnership Plenary Assembly (GSP) and a representative from the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS).

Click here to read the official notification of the King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2023 by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations [Award of Rs. 12.5L + a Trip to Thailand].

Image taken from here.