REvolutionaries Award opens for young renewable energy leaders in Latin America
26 May 2021, Brussels – The call for applications for the second edition of REvolutionaries: The Steve Sawyer Memorial Award is now open. In the 2021 edition, the award will recognise the contributions of young pioneers of renewable energy in Latin America and the Caribbean working in the public sector, private sector or civil society.
The REvolutionaries award was founded in 2020 by Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Greenpeace International, and REN21 in honour of the life’s work of GWEC’s late CEO Steve Sawyer. Steve was a tenacious renewable energy warrior, and his firm belief in renewable energy as climate change solution continues to inspire those in the climate and renewables sector.
Reflecting Steve’s values, the award seeks to empower young people working on the frontiers of the renewable energy revolution in developing countries, with a different regional focus for the award every year.
At the beginning of the most important decade of climate action, it is now more important than ever to highlight the amazing work the younger generation is doing to help save our planet through renewable energy innovations and initiatives
Ben Backwell, CEO at GWEC said: “We are looking forward to continuing Steve’s legacy in the second edition of this award by recognising the energy transition leaders of tomorrow in Latin America. The Latin American region is home to some of the fastest growing and most affordable renewable energy sources in the world, which play a key role in the region’s climate and green recovery strategies. At the beginning of the most important decade of climate action, it is now more important than ever to highlight the amazing work the younger generation is doing to help save our planet through renewable energy innovations and initiatives.”
Marcelo Furtado, Regional Jury Member for Latin America, added: “Greta Thunberg was only 16 years old when Steve Sawyer passed away. They had a lot in common: a passion for solving the climate crisis, visionary mobilization skills and moreover, profound intolerance for apathy and inaction. This may explain why Steve was always so admired and connected to young activists and entrepreneurs promoting the renewable energy revolution across the world. In 2021, we will honour Steve’s legacy celebrating young leaders in Latin America promoting renewable energy and energy access in the region.”
In 2021, we will honour Steve’s legacy celebrating young leaders in Latin America promoting renewable energy and energy access in the region.
The winner will receive a prize to empower the recipient to further their work in driving the clean energy revolution. The prize package includes €4,000 as a monetary prize, funded travel to attend a regional GWEC event in November 2021, as well as opportunities to promote the recipient’s thought leadership to a global network.
A jury will determine the winner of the award, focusing on five key criteria: leadership, renewable energy, innovation, scalability, and diversity. The jury is composed of people close to Steve, including members of Steve’s family and personal network, GWEC, REN21 and Greenpeace International.
Applications are now open for the award, until 11 July 2021. More information about the award and how to apply can be found here.
