Eco-Warrior Awards 2018 – Call for Applications

Ecotourism Kenya is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2018 Eco Warrior Award.  The Award recognizes efforts, innovations and exceptional achievements for promoting responsible tourism and enhancing tourism sustainability. This directly conserves the natural environment linked to local communities (either credible individuals or groups) through mutually beneficial and equitable partnerships. Nature conservation through community development by tourism is the essence of ecotourism.

The Award aims to celebrate ecotourism best practices in different tourism sectors and set ups in Kenya. The general criteria is given for each category below. Potential applicants for each category must clearly demonstrate elements of responsible, respectful and sustainable tourism.

This year’s theme is – “Tourism: Protecting Culture and Heritage”. Tourism plays an instrumental role in awareness creation and promotion of cultural heritage. This is by offering the required tools and public support in protecting natural and cultural heritage. Sustainable cultural and heritage management entails having programs for promoting and integrating art and culture in tourism, with the aim of enhancing community development.

Ecotourism Kenya hereby welcomes you to forward your applications for any of the following Eco-Warriors categories:

1. Best Conservancy in Promoting of Culture and Heritage:

To be considered in this category, applicants should demonstrate their contribution, measurable achievements and impact towards community and protecting cultural and/or natural heritage.

The conservancy should have programs for promotion and integration of art and culture in tourism and for community revitalization. Examples of such actions/programs can include; culture promotion programs, art promotion programs, cultural events programs, authentic cultural resource management, quality standardization of local products (e.g. beadwork), pricing standardization of local cultural products (fair pricing and competitiveness), historical/archeological sites promotion programs, etc.  Recognition of applicants by the Kenya Wildlife Association of Conservancies (KWCA) is an added advantage.

2. Best Community Based Tourism Organization in Promoting Cultural Heritage and Natural Heritage:

Applicants in this category must demonstrate or have an on-going cultural initiative or program as part of their day to day activities and show a commitment towards promoting people, culture and heritage. Examples of such programs can include; culture promotion programs, art promotion programs, cultural revival programs, authentic cultural resource management, quality standardization of local products (e.g. beadwork), pricing standardization of local cultural products (fair pricing and competitiveness), historical/archeological sites promotion programs, etc.

3. Best Accommodation Facility in Promoting Culture and Heritage:

To be considered in this category, the applicant must show commitment or demonstrate impact towards community and protecting culture and heritage. There should be evidence of promoting cultural experience that puts appreciation of local people, their way of life and their expression of culture and heritage. This can be in form of protecting cultural sites, promoting cultural performances, festivals, local cuisine, etc.

This category includes:

1. Lodge/Resort
2. Tented Camp
3. Hotel/serviced apartment

Applicants in this category should preferably, meet EK criteria for Eco-rating, and preferably members of Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KAHC).

4. Best Tour Operator in Engaging People and Culture:

For consideration in this category, one should demonstrate or show their verifiable contribution towards promoting people, culture and heritage through their programs, activities or strategies. Sustainability aspect should be demonstrated.

Examples of such programs can include; culture promotion programs, art promotion programs, culture preservation programs, authentic cultural tours/experiences, quality standardization of local products (e.g. beadwork), pricing standardization of local cultural products (fair pricing and competitiveness), historical/archeological sites promotion programs, etc. Most preferably, the applicant must be a member of KATO.

5. Best Blogger/Journalist in Promoting People, Culture and Heritage:

In this category, applicants should have published stories/features demonstrating best practices towards promoting or creating awareness on people, culture and heritage.

The features/stories can be on issues such as culture promotion programs, authentic cultural experiences, promotion of cultural artifacts/products (e.g. beadwork, handicraft, architecture, etc.), promotion of cultural/historical/archeological sites, etc.

The published features can be in online, print or digital media.

6. Best Student in Engaging People, Culture and Heritage:

For this category, applicants should be past participants of the Leadership and Mentorship Program (LMP) in the last year or so. They should demonstrate a program or activity they have engaged in that promotes or impacts on people, culture and heritage during their internship period. There should be evidence that the program promotes cultural experience and protecting culture and heritage.

7. Best Learning/Training Institution in Promoting Culture and Heritage:

The training institution should be offering courses related to Tourism and through partnerships or exclusively, the institution has existing programs, approaches, initiatives, or projects that support, engage or promote people, culture and heritage within the last 5 years.

8. Best in Protecting Marine Heritage:

This will be awarded to tourism initiatives that have demonstrable success in conserving and managing coastal and marine habitats and species which form the marine heritage. This category is open to tour conservation associations/organizations, tour operators, or accommodation establishments – which have achieved measurable success in species and/or habitat conservation in coastal or marine environments.

9. Best Destination in Promoting Cultural Heritage:

This category is targeted towards destinations that best promote cultural heritage. The destination should demonstrate impact, support and promotion of cultural heritage through for example; County government supported programs, projects or initiatives that put appreciation of local people and their expression of culture and heritage.

Such initiatives include but not limited to – protecting cultural/historical/archeological sites, protecting and promoting heritage attractions, cultural festivals/performances/artifacts/cuisine, cultural promotion programs, quality standardization of local products (e.g. beadwork), pricing standardization of local cultural products (fair pricing and competitiveness), etc.

The destination in this case refers to national park, national reserve, game reserve, conservancy, sanctuary, forest, heritage city, beach, or museum; managed by national/county government, community, individual or private entity.

10. Best Heritage Attractions:

This category is open to players in both private and public sectors who can demonstrate verifiable contribution, support, impact, or initiative towards protecting and promoting cultural heritage attractions anywhere in Kenya. Examples of Kenya heritage attractions as recognized by UNESCO World Heritage List and National Museums of Kenya

How to Participate:

The 2018 Eco Warrior Award is now open for applications until 10th August 2018.

1. Download the application form
2. Provide your supporting documents via a Dropbox link
3. i) Power point photo presentation of project or 3-5-minute video clip of project (Mandatory)
4. ii) E-brochures
   iii) Media publications

You can also send your application via email to pr@ecotourismkenya.org. In case of any enquiries, call +254 726 366080 and talk to Anthony or Nina.

Important Dates:

• Call for Nomination 7th May 2018
• Deadline for application: 30th June 2018
• Announcement of the shortlist: 7th September 2018
• Eco Warrior Award ceremony: 26th September 2018