Biodiversity and Climate Change Awards 2020
The 2020 edition of the yearly awards to promote the positive examples in nature conservation in Bulgaria.
During an emotional ceremony in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, the most outstanding local activists, journalists, campaigns, businesses, and politicians working for biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation were distinguished. For the 9th time, the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation (BBF), one of CEEweb for Biodiversity's network members, organized its special yearly awards to promote the positive examples in nature conservation in Bulgaria, to encourage nature conservation community and their activities, and to inspire them and the citizens to act further. This year, BBF paid special attention to the topic of climate change — one of the biggest global challenges requiring urgent personal and political action.
The nominated NGOs, media, businesses, activists, and politicians gathered for the special Biodiversity and Climate Awards ceremony on 22 October. Simultaneously, during the ceremony, online streaming on Facebook made it possible for more than a thousand people to participate in the event online, to feel the emotions, and to hear the powerful words shared by the winners.
All nominations were publicly accepted; everyone had the chance to propose their favourites, and a total of 58 entries in 5 categories were distinguished this year. The responsibility to choose the best of them was given to an independent jury made of popular Bulgarian journalists, writers, actors and entrepreneurs. Besides, a “public award” winner was chosen through open public voting on Facebook, involving over 7000 users.
As a gift, all winners received a tree with a root, a symbolic scapula — to keep digging in their fields — and various Game On! products, such as t-shirts, metal bottles, and reusable straws. All nominated participants were also awarded an 'honourable' diploma — as organizers say, all nominees have done their best for the cause and, because of their work, we have better nature protection, increased climate action, and, most certainly, a better country. Thus, all nominees are winners.
The event was organized by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation and the ‘Game On! Don’t let climate change end the game!' project, funded by the DEAR programme. The project aims to involve young people in the topic of climate change and provoke them to act to mitigate the negative effects on biodiversity, natural resources, ecosystems, and the life of humans in social, cultural, and economic aspects. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and giving its best to restrict the spread of the virus, BBF held the event with a heavily decreased number of visitors and focused strongly on the online stream which attracted a much bigger audience than usual.