FAQs

1. Who can apply under this category?
Community groups, farmers’ collectives, youth groups, women’s self-help groups, local NGOs, and local government bodies directly leading and implementing climate solutions at the grassroots. Individuals are not allowed to apply for the awards.

2. What types of initiatives are eligible?
Initiatives in biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and natural resource management that show clear community ownership and impact.

3. Do initiatives need to be from registered organisations?
No, the application need not be from a registered organisation.

4. What is meant by “community-led”?
The initiative must show clear decision-making power and leadership by the community, not just implementation by an external NGO.

5. Can ongoing projects apply?
Yes, provided they show evidence of implementation and measurable impact. Proposals or ideas not yet executed will not be considered.

6. What documents are required?
Project details, DPRs, photographs or reports of activities, evidence of impact, etc. would be ideal.

7. How are applications assessed?
Stage 1: checks eligibility and completeness.
Stage 2: uses weighted scoring across ownership, innovation, impact, inclusivity, partnerships, and scalability.

8. What kind of impact is important?
Both environmental (e.g., reduced emissions, restored ecosystems) and social (improved livelihoods, women’s empowerment, inclusion of marginalised groups).

9. Is there a minimum project size or duration?
No, but projects must be operational and show results. Very new initiatives may be asked for early evidence.

10. Can one organisation submit more than one project?
Yes, if they are distinct initiatives.

11. Are partnerships encouraged?
Yes — collaborations with NGOs, research bodies, or government enhance scoring if the community retains leadership.

1. Who can apply under this category?

Urban and rural public institutions, including Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Gram Panchayats, state government agencies, urban development authorities, and city- or state-level Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), implementing innovative and scalable climate solutions in areas such as climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure, natural resource management, and inclusive climate action.

2. What are the sub-categories?

This year the category has two sub-categories:

• • Institutional Leadership in Urban Climate Action: For urban institutions and local bodies that integrate climate priorities into planning, mobility, infrastructure and climate resilience, including water and waste management, across India’s cities and towns.
  • Institutional Leadership in Rural Climate Action: For Gram Panchayats and other rural institutions advancing climate action through natural resource management, climate-resilient agriculture, water conservation and community resilience.

  Entries will be assessed in relation to their respective urban or rural context

3. What areas of work are covered?

The category covers climate action initiatives in urban and rural areas, including sustainable transport, climate-resilient infrastructure, water conservation, waste management, ecosystem restoration, climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable livelihoods, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate finance, disaster preparedness, and climate risk management. It also includes government scheme convergence, coordination across institutions, community participation, and other relevant initiatives that contribute to climate action and resilience .and other climate-linked interventions in urban or rural areas.

4. What is the key focus of this category?

To highlight institutional leadership in embedding climate priorities into governance, development plans, resource allocation and service delivery, including coordination across departments and administrative levels to deliver equitable outcomes across urban and rural India.

5. Can PPP (public-private partnership) projects apply?

Yes, provided the lead applicant is a government or institutional body. Private entities could apply, but there should be significant aspects of government engagement.

6. Do pilot projects qualify?

Yes, but preference is given to projects that have reached an operational stage and demonstrated outcomes or show credible potential for such outcomes.

7. What documents are needed?

Official project reports, evidence of implementation, financial outlay, governance mechanisms and impact evidence would be ideal.

8. How will applications be assessed?

Entries will be assessed on integration of climate priorities into institutional planning, governance and implementation; evidence-based, innovative and scalable solutions; measurable environmental and social impact or credible potential for it; mobilisation of institutional resources, partnerships and coordination; inclusive engagement with community stakeholders; and potential to sustain, replicate or scale the solution.

9. Can multiple departments submit jointly?

Yes. Joint applications across ULBs, Gram Panchayats, SPVs or departments are welcome if roles are clearly defined.

10. Will the financial size of the project matter?

No. The focus is on impact, governance and replicability.

1. Who can apply?

This year the category is open only to scale-up enterprises (see question 3). Applications are expected from the following entities:

1. Private Limited Company
2. Public Limited Company
3. Limited Liability Partnership
4. Partnership Firm
5. Sole Proprietorship
6. Registered Social Enterprise
7. Other (please specify)

2. What types of solutions qualify?

Products, services or technologies that directly contribute to climate mitigation or adaptation, in areas such as renewable energy, green mobility, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, waste-to-resource models, climate-smart infrastructure, climate risk adaptation, carbon removal, climate finance and climate technology software. The focus is on the climate solution the enterprise offers, not on sustainability practices within its own business operations.

3. Can start-ups apply? What is meant by a scale-up?

No, the 14th edition is open only to scale-ups enterprises that have moved beyond developing and validating their solution, have an established product, service or technology, show evidence of customer or market adoption beyond initial pilots, and have a viable business model with a clear pathway for continued growth.

4. Can NGOs apply under this category?

Not unless they are registered as a business entity offering market-based solutions. NGOs should apply under the Community-Led Climate Action category.

5. What assessment criteria apply?

Entries will be assessed on market validation and traction, operational maturity, demonstrated climate impact, potential for scale and business sustainability.

6. What evidence of impact is needed?

Quantitative or qualitative evidence that the solution is contributing to measurable environmental or climate outcomes, such as GHG emission reductions, resource efficiency gains, waste diverted or the number of users or beneficiaries. Clear, data-backed examples are encouraged.

7. Do applicants need audited financials?

Yes. As the category is open only to scale-ups, applicants should provide audited financials along with revenue or other evidence of sustained market demand.

8. Is there a sectoral restriction?

No, if the core product, service or technology directly addresses climate mitigation or adaptation.

1. Who can nominate?
Organizations, peers, institutions, or individuals familiar with the nominee’s work. Self-nominations are also allowed with references.

2. Who qualifies as a nominee?
Women leaders are actively engaged in climate action, from grassroots organizers to institutional heads, policy advocates, entrepreneurs, and researchers.

3. Does the nominee need to represent an organization?
Not necessarily. Independent women leaders with demonstrable impact also qualify.

4. What achievements are recognized?
Leadership in implementing projects, shaping policy, innovating solutions, building collaborations, and driving gender-inclusive climate action.

5. Are early-career leaders eligible?
Yes—both seasoned leaders and emerging voices can be nominated, provided their contributions are demonstrable.

6. What documents are required?
The nominee’s profile, project/work details, supporting references, and evidence of leadership/impact are ideal.

7. How is the assessment done?
Nominations will be assessed based on leadership strength, measurable sustainability impact, systemic influence, equity and inclusion, and long-term commitment.

8. Will individual impact be considered separately from institutional impact?
Yes—the award recognizes the personal leadership contribution of the nominee, not the institution.

9. Can multiple women from the same organization be nominated?
Yes, if their contributions are distinct.

 10. Can international women leaders apply?
Yes, if their work has relevance or impact in India.

Individuals, creative teams, organizations and collectives with at least three years of consistent work in climate and sustainability communication, using creative media to deepen understanding of climate issues and inspire action. Entries may showcase a standalone project, campaign or ongoing series, presented within the context of this wider body of work.

2. Is there a minimum requirement of experience?

Yes, applicants must demonstrate at least three years of consistent work in climate and sustainability communication. Entries that do not meet this requirement will not be considered.

3. What types of initiatives are eligible?

Initiatives that use written journalism and news platforms, digital and social media, film, documentaries and visual storytelling, performing arts and theatre, or audio, music and radio to communicate climate change, biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, climate resilience or related issues.

4. Do initiatives need to be from registered organisations?

No. Applications can be from individuals or unregistered groups, as long as the initiative meets the category criteria, including the three-year minimum.

5. Can ongoing projects apply?

Yes. Projects that have commenced (ongoing, completed or scaling up) are eligible, provided the applicant meets the three-year minimum. Ideas or plans alone will not be considered.

6. What evidence is required?

Applicants must provide at least one accessible link or file (video, audio, images or articles) that demonstrates the entry, along with evidence of at least three years of consistent work in climate and sustainability communication. Evidence of reach, engagement and influence appropriate to the medium (see question 8) will strengthen the entry.

7. How are the applications evaluated?

Applications undergo a two-stage process. Stage 1 checks eligibility, including the three-year minimum, and completeness. Stage 2 assesses relevance to climate action, creativity, consistency, reach and engagement, impact and influence, and inclusion of underrepresented voices.

8. Will all communication formats be assessed in the same way?

All entries are assessed against the same overarching criteria, but reach, engagement and influence are judged using evidence suited to each medium:

9. What kind of impact is considered?

Work that goes beyond raising awareness to build understanding, earn trust and sustain public engagement. This may include shifting public narratives, challenging misconceptions, amplifying underrepresented voices, influencing attitudes and behaviours, contributing to policy conversations and mobilising communities towards climate-positive action.

10. Are collaborations or collectives eligible?

Yes. Groups, creative teams and collectives working collaboratively are encouraged to apply, provided they meet the three-year minimum.

11. What are the approved creative mediums?

Written journalism and news platforms; digital and social media (including interactive or immersive formats); film, documentary and visual storytelling (including photography and visual art); performing arts and theatre (including spoken word and movement-based performance); and audio, music and radio (including podcasts and soundscapes).

12. Can multiple entries by one applicant be submitted?

Yes, multiple distinct initiatives can be submitted by the same applicant.

13. Are entries accepted from outside India?

Yes, entries from outside India will be accepted.