2025 Eco-Community Finalists Award Finalists
SPONSORED BY
For a community or school that has acted collectively and effectively to protect, preserve, or restore the Earth's biodiversity, eco-systems, or natural resources.
Lapalala Wilderness School
Lapalala Wilderness School, located in one of South Africa’s most biodiverse yet underserved regions, nurtures conservation values while addressing pressing rural challenges. From its solar-powered eco-campus, LWS provides immersive environmental education, health care outreach, food gardens, beekeeping, teacher development, digital learning, and extra learning camps. Communities face long distances to clinics, poor school infrastructure, and limited access to technology. Through dignity, dialogue, and practical support, LWS uplifts youth and strengthens entire communities, reconnecting people with nature and instilling lifelong stewardship. The school also provides food parcels during times of need. By promoting community involvement, LWS ensures conservation efforts are environmentally and socially sustainable, helping achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Its work demonstrates that education, care, and nature can flourish together, empowering both people and ecosystems for the long term.
Nature Connect: Sustainable Schools Programmes
The Sustainable Schools Programme by Nature Connect addresses critical gaps in environmental education and Education for Sustainable Development across South Africa. Focusing on schools as community hubs, it equips teachers and learners with the skills, knowledge, resources, and support needed to implement practical sustainability projects both in classrooms and beyond. As an “eco-community” network, Sustainable Schools empowers entire school communities to innovate together. Teachers access an Online Hub with CAPS-aligned lesson plans and supportive tools, while in-person workshops enhance educator knowledge and foster collaboration. With tangible impact on over 200 schools across six provinces, the programme has trained more than 3,000 educators and supported over 500 sustainability projects. By promoting hands-on learning and local ecosystem improvements, Sustainable Schools nurtures eco-conscious citizens and strengthens community resilience for a sustainable future.
The Sustainability Institute
Born from South Africa’s early democratic vision, The Sustainability Institute demonstrates transformative community through the Lynedoch Eco-Village, the country’s first mixed-race, mixed-income eco-community. Over 25 years, degraded land has been restored into a vibrant sanctuary, creating living classrooms where more than 200 children learn daily. The village embraces a regenerative approach: energy is reduced by 70% through solar, water use cut by 90% via recycling, and 85% of waste is diverted from landfill. Montessori schools nurture confident youth, while programs from infant care to the Youth Hub activate imagination and social innovation. The Green Café showcases healthy, affordable meals using garden and wild produce. Recognised in 2024 as the Most Transformative Learning Organisation, Lynedoch proves that sustainable living, education, and community empowerment can thrive together.