Lifestyle

Masungi Georeserve makes the shortlist for Lush Spring Prize 2021

Fifty-four projects from around the world have been shortlisted for the £220,000 Lush Spring Prize for environmental and social regeneration, and included in the shortlist is the Philippines’ Masungi Georeserve Foundation.

The LUSH Spring Prize was set up to support ‘regenerative’ projects – those that go beyond sustainability by taking holistic approaches to building the health of ecology, economy and social systems. It seeks to support those who are actively involved in restoring all the systems they are part of. By supporting regenerative projects the Spring Prize hopes to raise the profile of the movement as a whole to inspire more individuals, groups, communities, funders and businesses to start engaging with regenerative processes. The LUSH Spring Prize is a joint venture between LUSH Cosmetics and Ethical Consumer and is now in its fourth cycle, having started in 2017 and distributed more than £600,000 to date.

From 400 applications received for 2021, 54 were shortlisted. The prize saw a 61% increase in reach, with applications being submitted by inspiring projects spanning 81 different countries and every continent except Antarctica.

Projects were driven by a range of stakeholders, including grassroots campaigners, small scale agro-ecological producers, regenerative businesses, indigenous groups, academics, global solidarity networks and think tanks. Their work addresses multiple issues needed to support life, including ecosystem restoration, regenerative food production, building community, creating resilient housing and circular economies, whilst also supporting displaced people, protecting indigenous rights and access to land.

Cherry and Pam of Masungi Georeserve with Philippines Flying Labs

The 2021 Prizes

This year also sees the launch of two new collaborative prizes – alongside the Spring Prize’s regular four categories: Influence, Established, Young and Intentional awards – in partnership with Be The Earth Foundation and Abundant Earth Foundation.

Intentional Projects – At least four awards of up to £10,000. For great new ideas and projects up to 1 year old. This prize is for individuals, communities, aspiring businesses or newly formed groups and organizations to help establish a strong foundation from which to grow.

Young Projects – At least 3 awards of up to £20,000. For young community groups, organizations, businesses or networks that are 1-5 years old, to help them to expand or develop their work in improving ecological and social systems.

Shortlisted under Young Projects is the Masungi Georeserve Foundation which is dedicated to the restoration of some 3,000 hectares of limestone formations and to supporting the threatened biodiversity in the mountains of Baras, Rizal, Philippines. Its Masungi Geopark Project is one of the largest collaborative reforestation efforts in the country, in an area which is heavily threatened by large-scale mining, land speculation, and timber-poaching, including illegal activities.

The team faces multiple threats, such as harassment from quarrying entities. Despite this, the project has increased measures to protect the area from activities like quarrying and land grabbing. Their efforts include community
development: park rangers are locals of the community, including some of those previously involved in illegal activities within the watershed. The project engages continuously with the Indigenous Community within the area to develop non-timber forest products to help boost their livelihood.

Established Projects – At least 2 awards of up to £25,000. For community groups, organizations, businesses or networks that have worked successfully for more than 5 years, to help spread awareness of their work and inspire more people to start their regenerative journeys.

Influence Award – At least 2 awards of up to £25,000. For local, national or international organizations and networks that have a core focus on campaigning or lobbying to influence policy, regulation or public opinion in support of regeneration. It is aimed at supporting those who are changing the context in which we are all working; who are helping to build and strengthen the regenerative movement.

Ancient and Indigenous Wisdom Award – £10,000 award. Run in collaboration with Be The Earth Foundation, this award seeks to recognize, celebrate and explore the role that ancient knowledge and wisdom can play in shaping regenerative approaches and ways of being.

Youth In Permaculture Prize – £10,000 award. Run in collaboration with Abundant Earth Foundation (AEF), this prize recognizes that the youth of today are the future of tomorrow! Now in its 4th year, AEF is happy to partner with the 2021 Lush Spring Prize to honour young people that are making a positive difference.

Final event and award ceremony

A skill sharing event and celebration will be held online between 23 -31 October in the run up to COP26, with small regional events running alongside. It seeks to create spaces of peer learning, where groups can share effective practice with one another, and network in a safe and supportive space. 2021’s Spring Prize winners will be announced during this time, having been decided by a panel of 12 judges.


In the Philippines, Lush is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Alabang Town Center, Bonifacio High Street, Estancia in Capitol Commons, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Robinsons Magnolia, Shangri-La Plaza, SM Mall of Asia, and TriNoma. Available also in Zalora and Trunc.com. Visit http://www.lush.com.ph, facebook.com/LushPhilippines, and http://www.ssilife.com.ph or follow @lushcosmeticsph and @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.

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