Ten Latin American Projects Win Premios Verdes 2026 for Climate and Social Impact

Cuenca, Ecuador, 26 October 2026: Ten projects from six Latin American countries have won the 11th edition of Premios Verdes, the region’s environmental awards, for solutions addressing water scarcity, biodiversity loss, pollution, the energy transition and social inclusion. The winners were named at a gala in Cuenca, Ecuador, on 25 October, chosen from 2,087 entries from 29 countries and 613 cities.

After a technical assessment, an international jury selected the winners in ten categories from 52 finalists representing 12 countries, according to Premios Verdes. Gustavo Manrique, the organisation’s president and co-founder, said the aim is for the winning work to gain international recognition and open up opportunities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and funding.

The ten winning projects

In Agriculture and Food Production, Colombia’s BIO CO won for a regenerative agriculture model involving 39 species that uses 95 percent of its waste to produce agricultural inputs and provides 60 formal jobs. In Freshwater, Peru’s AQUARESTAURA won for restoring ancestral Andean water systems to improve water availability in Lima, rehabilitating 79 kilometres of traditional canals and reporting annual groundwater recharge of 13 million cubic metres.

Peru’s Machu Picchu initiative won Resilient Cities and Communities, combining waste management, electric mobility and ecological restoration, reporting an 18.77 percent emissions reduction and maintaining its certification as a carbon-neutral destination. Brazil’s Replantando Vida won Human Development, linking Atlantic Forest restoration with the social reintegration of incarcerated people in Rio de Janeiro, with more than 4.5 million trees planted and over 6,000 people involved across 25 years.

Brazil’s Biovalor won Circular Economy for turning brewing industry waste into dairy cattle feed, with a pilot model that could cut feed costs for small-scale livestock farmers by up to 20 percent. The Dominican Republic’s SOS Biotech won Marine Ecosystems for converting sargassum into agricultural inputs, recovering more than 30,000 metric tons and creating direct employment for more than 160 fishers.

Ecuador’s Salvemos Loma Delgada won Terrestrial Ecosystems for aiming to protect 35 hectares of priority habitat in Quilanga for the Ecuadorian viscacha, classified as critically endangered within Ecuador. Ecuador’s Fundación Kara Solar won Energy for solar-powered electric boats connecting Indigenous Amazonian communities, carrying more than 10,000 passengers a year, avoiding 26,000 gallons of gasoline and benefiting 53 communities.

Peru’s Financiamiento Verde para microfinanzas, led by Financiera Confianza, won Finance for supporting sustainable rural production, disbursing between 16 and 17 million US dollars through 1,300 green loans in 2025, 43 percent of which went to women. Chile’s NANOLIFE won Green Tech for cleaning concentrates using nanotechnology and agri-food waste, where a 25-gram refill can replace a conventional one-litre bottle.

Special recognition

Fundación Kara Solar also received the SDG Recognition, presented jointly with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Galápagos Life Fund selected Eco-Ruta Tortuga of Panama and Corallium of Ecuador for a marine expedition combining scientific and hands-on learning. The gala concluded Sustainability Week, held from 19 to 22 October, bringing together government, business, academia and international organisations.

According to a Premios Verdes impact study cited at the event, 36 percent of surveyed projects secured third-party funding after participating, while participants reported a 74 percent increase in sales. Premios Verdes, a regional movement running for more than a decade, says it has received more than 22,000 project entries from 53 countries. Watan News International’s latest climate events coverage is here.

Key facts

• Awards: Premios Verdes 2026, 11th edition, gala in Cuenca, Ecuador, 25 October 2026.
• Winners: 10 projects from Colombia, Peru, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Chile.
• Selection: 2,087 entries from 29 countries and 613 cities; 52 finalists from 12 countries.
• Energy winner: Fundación Kara Solar, solar boats for 53 Indigenous Amazonian communities.
• Special honour: Kara Solar also received the SDG Recognition with UNDP.
• Context: gala concluded Sustainability Week, 19–22 October 2026.

Source: Premios Verdes announcement, 25 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What are Premios Verdes?

Premios Verdes is a Latin American environmental awards movement that identifies, connects and raises the profile of projects and leaders advancing sustainable solutions in Latin America and the Caribbean.

How many projects entered in 2026?

The 2026 edition drew 2,087 entries from 29 countries and 613 cities, with 52 finalists from 12 countries chosen for the final jury stage.

Which project won the Energy category?

Ecuador’s Fundación Kara Solar, whose solar-powered electric boats connect Indigenous Amazonian communities, carry more than 10,000 passengers a year and benefit 53 communities.

What other special recognition was given?

Kara Solar also received the SDG Recognition presented jointly with UNDP, and the Galápagos Life Fund selected Eco-Ruta Tortuga and Corallium for a marine learning expedition.

Why do these awards matter for climate action?

According to Premios Verdes, its model combines an open call, technical assessment, capacity-building and visibility, and its impact study found 36 percent of surveyed projects later secured third-party funding.