Our Impact

2018 Laureate Yacouba Sawadogo, credit: Right Livelihood. Below: 1995 Laureate Sulak Sivaraksa in Bonn, 2010, credit: Alanus University

By honouring courageous change-makers and providing them with life-long support, we amplify their voices, enhance their protection and provide extended networks for greater impact.

The prestige and global recognition that come with the Right Livelihood Award open new doors to decision-makers. Our UN-based advocacy work offers platforms and allies for Laureates to advance their causes. We also highlight the Laureates’ visionary work online and in the media, increasing their influence. By telling the Laureates’ stories and partnering with universities around the world, we inspire everyday action by people from all walks of life.

Besides the prize money, the Award often leads to increased funding from donors who want to support outstanding change-makers. With more resources at hand, Laureates can further expand their pioneering work.

Helen Mack Chang, 1992 Laureate

"The Award contributed significantly to saving my life."

“Now you are untouchable“ was the chief of police’s observation to Helen Mack Chang upon her return to Guatemala. She had just accepted the Right Livelihood Award at the Swedish Parliament in 1992. Her work to end impunity for human rights abusers put her life at risk. She experienced harassment and even death threats. To her, the Right Livelihood Award meant protection.

"The Award certainly played a major role in this jump in donations. So its value is not only about the prize money itself, it goes far beyond that."

For many Laureates the prize money meant a major boost to their work. In 2008, Monika Hauser received the Right Livelihood Award for her work with women who have experienced sexualised violence. In the six months that followed the announcement, Hauser’s organisation medica mondiale received twice as much in donations than over the same period the year before. The public attention was also enormous.

"The Award has lifted awareness on Farmer Managed Natural Restoration and its potential to levels not experienced before.”

"Forest maker" Tony Rinaudo has developed a successful method to grow trees on dry and degraded lands. The prestige and media coverage that followed the Award have helped Rinaudo spread global awareness about the method, which has already improved millions' livelihoods and could help combat climate change. Today, the method is recognised by the World Economic Forum and others as an important practice to counter deforestation.

- Raising Awareness
  
  So far, more than 100,000 media reports have been published around the globe about Right Livelihood Laureates and their solutions to the most burning problems of our time.
- Increasing Funding
  
  To date, we have channelled 6.7 million EUR to leading change-makers across continents, helping them expand their successful work.
- Improving Protection
  
  Through preventive and proactive work, we enhance the security of Laureates when their lives and liberty are at risk.
- Building Connections
  
  We bring together 190 Laureates from 74 countries with an active network and open doors to policymakers, UN institutions and civil society worldwide.
- Enhancing Advocacy
  
  Together with Laureates, we advocate at key international institutions to improve their working conditions and advance their causes at the highest level of decision-making.
- Fostering Education
  
  We connect activism and academia partnering with universities on five continents, where students expand on Laureates' work and the next generations of change-makers are inspired.

Helen Mack Chang, 1992 Laureate

Monika Hauser, 2008 Laureate

Tony Rinaudo, 2018 Laureate

Raising Awareness

Increasing Funding

Improving Protection

Building Connections

Enhancing Advocacy

Fostering Education