Rolex's horological endeavors have impressed the watch world for decades now, with timekeeping and material innovation regularly coming from its state-of the-art facilities. The trailblazer was the Rolex Oyster, which became the world’s first waterproof and dust-proof watch when it was unveiled in 1926. On the 50th anniversary of its release, the Swiss manufacture decided to celebrate this very spirit of enterprise and take an active interest in improving life on our planet by introducing the Rolex Awards for Enterprise.
THE MOUNTAINOUS REGION AROUND THE VILLAGE OF QUISHUARANI, 4,800 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL, IS THE LOCATION FOR THE ASOCIACION DE LOS ECOSISTEMAS ANDINOS
REFORESTATION DAY WHERE THEY PLANTED 25,000 KEY NATIVE TREES.
© ROLEX/SOFIALOPEZ MAÑAN
Originally meant to be a singular event, the Awards garnered so much global interest that the brand decided to turn it into a biennial program to support people whose projects would significantly contribute to our knowledge of the natural world and protect it for future generations.
For the last 48 years, the Awards have championed 160 Laureates from 65 countries. For the 2023 edition, the panel of 10 world-renowned experts and leaders has once again selected five outstanding changemakers who share Rolex’s values of preservation and innovation.
- GUARDIAN OF THE GREEN
- LIQUID LIFELINES
- WOODLAND SENTINEL
- WEAVING CHANGE
- TALES FROM THE DUNES
Guardian of the Green
Andean forests face a multitude of threats, from illegal logging and agricultural expansion to mining and climate change. Which is why Constantino Aucca Chutas will be scaling up his community-centred forest ecosystem restoration and protection programme in the high Andes through the Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN) and Acción Andina, both programmes he helped found.
The indigenous Peruvian biologist has since overseen the planting of 4.5 million trees, engaged with over 60 local communities, and established 16 protected areas in the mountains of Peru and other high Andean countries.
- GUARDIAN OF THE GREEN
- LIQUID LIFELINES
- WOODLAND SENTINEL
- WEAVING CHANGE
- TALES FROM THE DUNES
Liquid Lifelines
Thanks to Kenyan social entrepreneur Beth Koigi, over 1,900 people in her homeland have been receiving over 200,000 liters of clean water every month from solar-powered generators that harvest water from the air.
Koigi plans to deliver even more generators so that she can reach at least 3,000 people across 10 communities who are in need of clean water resources. This technology also holds global relevance, with the United Nations projecting that half the world’s population could be living in areas of high water stress by 2030.
(Related: Shaping the Future of Creativity)
- GUARDIAN OF THE GREEN
- LIQUID LIFELINES
- WOODLAND SENTINEL
- WEAVING CHANGE
- TALES FROM THE DUNES
Woodland Sentinel
Primatologist Inza Koné has directed his focus on the Tanoé-Ehy Forest in Côte d’Ivoire, because of its rich biodiversity. For years, Kone has collaborated with local communities to establish it as a community-managed natural reserve, achieving success in 2021.
The Rolex Award will enable Koné to continue preserving its outstanding biodiversity, supporting community management and encouraging sustainable livelihoods for people in the region.
- GUARDIAN OF THE GREEN
- LIQUID LIFELINES
- WOODLAND SENTINEL
- WEAVING CHANGE
- TALES FROM THE DUNES
Weaving Change
Rather than farm-to-table, it’s farm-to-closet for Denica Riadini-Flesch. The former economist founded the ethical clothing line SukkhaCitta to empower women and preserve Indonesian culture.
Collaborating with craftswomen in rural Indonesian villages, this social enterprise provides them with business skills, environmental stewardship, and access to customers from 32 countries. SukkhaCitta recently made history as the first Asian fashion brand to have its net-zero targets certified by SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative).
Riadini-Flesch’s Award will support three new elements of her project: the purchase of extra land for the construction of a new building for 30 additional artisans; the renovation of a batik school and further refinement of the teaching of batik skills in four villages; and the development of an app that will digitize regenerative farming knowledge to help the social enterprise reach more women in last mile communities.
- GUARDIAN OF THE GREEN
- LIQUID LIFELINES
- WOODLAND SENTINEL
- WEAVING CHANGE
- TALES FROM THE DUNES
Tales from the Dunes
After his pivotal role in helping develop China’s lunar and Mars rovers, Liu Shaochuang is taking his expertise in remote sensing back to Earth as he aims to establish two new conservation reserves to safeguard the last of our wild camel herds. By using satellite technology, Liu will leverage his experience to track camel movements and habitats in the Gobi Desert to support their future conservation.
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