Thiess International Riverprize
About the Thiess International Riverprize
The Thiess International Riverprize is awarded by the International River Foundation (IRF), a not-for-profit organisation that envisions a future where healthy, resilient rivers support thriving communities, ecosystems and economies.
The Thiess International Riverprize, the world’s most prestigious environmental award, has been awarded since 1999. The award alternates between the International Riverprize which is awarded every second year and a regional Riverprize bringing recognition to organisations (or groups of organisations) who have achieved remarkable outcomes for rivers, river basins and their communities.
The Thiess International Riverprize is generously and jointly supported by the Bert & Vera Thiess Foundation as a legacy and recognition of the long-term efforts of the late Bert and Vera Thiess and the Thiess Company to encourage the sustainable management of the world’s rivers.
The Thiess International Riverprize aims to inspire the acceleration towards resilient rivers. The Foundation encourages prize winners to think of concepts of future “bankable” or investment-ready projects to achieve the resilience of their rivers and communities. Bankable projects can provide effective solutions to meet the vision of resilience for rivers.
What does it take to win
First awarded in 1999, the Riverprize recognises excellence in river management and restoration. IRF has awarded 20 International and 22 Regional Riverprizes. The key elements for success of the past 20 years of winners include:
- Partnerships and Collaboration;
- Community Mobilisation;
- Holistic Approaches in river management;
- A commitment towards planning, evaluation and monitoring;
- Emphasis on Long-term Sustainability;
- Perseverance to make a difference for rivers.
This year, the Foundation is encouraging applications that reflect a journey towards the resilience of the rivers, including the following:
- A whole-of-system and integrated approach;
- Planning across multiple scales;
- Evaluation and monitoring;
- Actively engaged stakeholders
- Effective institutional arrangements
- River leadership;
- Sound decision making and governance framework.
- Flexible cross-sector solutions
- Embracing/piloting innovation;
- Adaptive, ecosystem-based;
- Reflective and flexible.
- Effective financial mechanisms
- Sufficient financing to implement plans (e.g. investments towards recovery and resilience)
- Incorporates value of social and ecosystem services.
