‘By the name of social capital’ wins Pathways to Sustainability Award 2024
Winning pitch by Annisa Triyanti
A huge congratulations to the project ‘By the name of social capital: building local initiatives for community conservation areas in Indonesia’ for winning the fourth edition of the Pathways to Sustainability Award. Annisa Triyanti and her team receive the award for their collaborative conservation research in Indonesia’s remote Banggai Archipelago.
The project team is made up of Annisa Triyanti (UU), (ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ of Indonesia), Universitas Trisakti, Hasanuddin ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ, Legal Aid Central Sulawesi, the Indigenous Seasea community and local wildlife conservation organisations. Together, they developed innovative conservation strategies that integrate traditional wisdom with cutting-edge science. This initiative not only protects critical species but also sets a powerful example of culturally sensitive and sustainable conservation practices.
The winning pitch
Two other nominees
Engineering with Ecosystem Engineers: synergistically restoring threatened nature
To reverse the worldwide decline in biodiversity, this project seeks to restore mussel beds—vital biodiversity hotspots—through the use of 3D-printed, biodegradable structures that mimic natural environments. To reach this goal, ecologists, restoration experts, product designers and 3D print engineers work closely together. Now, the printed structures are being tested in the Dutch Wadden Sea, but the approach can be applied in other iconic ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs, and peatlands.
The surveillance of ecological violence from space
Satellite imagery is critical in documenting the ecological impact of armed conflicts, but this comes with risks, as it contains sensitive information that can be exploited by military, criminal, or governmental actors. In collaboration with the NGO PAX for peace, the researchers have created new ethical guidelines and analytical tools to account for the ecological impact of war. This project will help minimize the ecological damage of war, balancing eco- and human-centric perspectives on conflict.