Latest news with #DefenderAwards
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Time is running out for NPOs to apply for the inaugural Defender Awards
Time is running out for NPOs to apply for the inaugural Defender Awards Non-profit organisations in South Africa and six other countries have only a few days left to enter the inaugural Defender Awards, with submissions closing on June 16. Here's how to enter. Launched by 4×4 brand Defender, this new international awards programme is designed to support small, frontline non-profits working in wildlife conservation, marine protection, environmental restoration and humanitarian aid. Related: Holgate Foundation Embarks on Mozambique Expedition with Defender Convoy Each of the seven winners will receive a comprehensive support package valued at over £1 million, including: A £100,000 bursary to fund their work A robust and field-ready Defender vehicle** to help them reach remote areas Expert mentorship from a global network of conservation and humanitarian professionals. Designed with a local focus, the awards aim to empower organisations in South Africa, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan — countries where real grassroots impact is being made in some of the world's most fragile environments. About the Defender Awards The Defender Awards recognise organisations making a tangible difference in one of four key categories: Defenders of the Wild: Working to protect endangered and at-risk species Defenders of Humanity: Supporting vulnerable and marginalised communities Defenders of the Land: Restoring and preserving natural ecosystems and landscapes Defenders of the Sea: Safeguarding marine species and ocean environments Organisations can submit their entries via the official awards portal. Each country will shortlist two entries per category, resulting in a 56-entry international shortlist. A final panel of respected global experts will then select one winner per category, along with three additional standouts to receive the seven full awards packages. Defender's legacy of service dates back to 1954, when its vehicles were first deployed with Red Cross nurses in Kenya and Dubai. Today, Defender's commitment to purpose-led innovation continues through partnerships such as the 20-year collaboration with Tusk, which is focused on wildlife protection and biodiversity conservation in Africa. 'We created the Defender Awards to elevate the work of grassroots organisations doing incredible work, often under extremely challenging conditions,' says Mark Cameron, MD of Defender. 'This is a significant investment — over £1 million in total — and a chance to build a global network of changemakers who can learn from and support one another.' For more details on how to enter, click here. Related: South African Panel Announced for Global Defender Awards Judging The post Defender Awards 2025: Entries Close 16 June appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Star
13-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Defender awards calls on South African Changemakers: £100 000, a vehicle and mentorship up for grabs
South African small-scale charities and non-profit organisations dedicated to conservation and humanitarian efforts are urged to enter the newly launched Defender Awards. This international initiative by the original British adventure brand, Defender, aims to support and champion local heroes and their initiatives as part of a substantial £1m global campaign. Entrants from South Africa stand a chance to be one of the seven global winners who will receive a £100,000 bursary, a rugged and capable Defender vehicle to support vital front-line work in hard-to-reach locations, and invaluable mentoring support from a community of experts. Entries are sought from programmes making a difference in one of four categories: Defenders of the Wild: Protecting endangered and at-risk species, from vultures to vital indigenous flora. Protecting endangered and at-risk species, from vultures to vital indigenous flora. Defenders of Humanity: Supporting vulnerable communities, helping them prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. Supporting vulnerable communities, helping them prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. Defenders of the Land: Protecting and restoring South Africa's most precious and fragile ecosystems. Protecting and restoring South Africa's most precious and fragile ecosystems. Defenders of the Sea: Protecting marine species, coastal environments, and addressing challenges such as pollution and unsustainable practices. The Defender Awards initiative is specifically designed to support small-scale charities and non-profit organisations working on humanitarian and conservation projects at a grassroots level. Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender, said: " Defender has a proud heritage of helping people make more of their world, spanning both humanitarian and conservation causes. Our enduring 70-year association with the Red Cross and our 20-year partnership with Tusk support established organisations, but we wanted a way of engaging with smaller-scale initiatives. We have launched Defender Awards to recognise and support local conservation and humanitarian heroes. It is international in scale but has a grassroots focus and will further Defender's rich history of supporting vulnerable habitats, species, and communities. ' Esteemed Panel to Adjudicate South African Entries Adding significant local expertise, Defender has announced a prestigious panel to adjudicate entries from South Africa and select local finalists. The panel includes: Ross Holgate: Operations leader and mapping and navigation expert for the Kingsley Holgate Foundation, renowned for using adventure to improve and save lives through malaria prevention, distribution of reading glasses, and providing clean water to vulnerable communities. Operations leader and mapping and navigation expert for the Kingsley Holgate Foundation, renowned for using adventure to improve and save lives through malaria prevention, distribution of reading glasses, and providing clean water to vulnerable communities. Ivy Wairimu: Head of Conservation Partnerships at Tusk, an organisation supporting progressive conservation interventions across Africa, with a 20-year partnership with Defender. Head of Conservation Partnerships at Tusk, an organisation supporting progressive conservation interventions across Africa, with a 20-year partnership with Defender. Bryan Habana: Springbok legend, Defender ambassador, and founder of the Bryan Habana Foundation, which inspires young South Africans and supports social change through sport via the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa. Janico Dannhauser, Brand Manager, Defender, said: ' Defender is renowned for forging enduring relationships with various organisations that exist for the primary goal of advancing the betterment of the world through humanitarian and conservation causes. Through the Defender Awards, and with the support of Ross, Ivy, and Bryan, we will be able to extend our reach to organisations at the cold phase of delivering humanitarian and conservation services. ' This initiative builds on Defender's legacy, which traces back to the first Series Land Rovers in 1948 and includes deployments with British Red Cross nurses in Kenya in 1954, and a 20-year collaboration with African conservation charity Tusk. Charlie Mayhew OBE, Founder and President of Tusk, added: ' The new Defender Awards initiative represents a valuable opportunity for smaller organisations to begin their own relationships – and benefit from additional funding and expertise, as well as the 4x4 capability that is associated with Defender .' How to Enter Small-scale charities and non-profit organisations from South Africa are encouraged to submit their entries. Following the closing date, national judges, including Holgate, Wairimu, and Habana for South Africa, will select two entries in each of the four awards categories. This will create a 56-strong international shortlist, from which a judging panel of global experts will select the seven overall winners, with at least one winner from each participating country (South Africa, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, and Japan). This is a unique opportunity for South African organisations making a tangible difference on the ground to receive significant backing to amplify their impact.
IOL News
13-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Defender awards calls on South African Changemakers: £100 000, a vehicle and mentorship up for grabs
South African small-scale charities and non-profit organisations dedicated to conservation and humanitarian efforts are urged to enter the newly launched Defender Awards. This international initiative by the original British adventure brand, Defender, aims to support and champion local heroes and their initiatives as part of a substantial £1m global campaign. Entrants from South Africa stand a chance to be one of the seven global winners who will receive a £100,000 bursary, a rugged and capable Defender vehicle to support vital front-line work in hard-to-reach locations, and invaluable mentoring support from a community of experts. Entries are sought from programmes making a difference in one of four categories: Defenders of the Wild: Protecting endangered and at-risk species, from vultures to vital indigenous flora. Protecting endangered and at-risk species, from vultures to vital indigenous flora. Defenders of Humanity: Supporting vulnerable communities, helping them prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. Supporting vulnerable communities, helping them prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. Defenders of the Land: Protecting and restoring South Africa's most precious and fragile ecosystems. Protecting and restoring South Africa's most precious and fragile ecosystems. Defenders of the Sea: Protecting marine species, coastal environments, and addressing challenges such as pollution and unsustainable practices. The Defender Awards initiative is specifically designed to support small-scale charities and non-profit organisations working on humanitarian and conservation projects at a grassroots level. Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender, said: "Defender has a proud heritage of helping people make more of their world, spanning both humanitarian and conservation causes. Our enduring 70-year association with the Red Cross and our 20-year partnership with Tusk support established organisations, but we wanted a way of engaging with smaller-scale initiatives. We have launched Defender Awards to recognise and support local conservation and humanitarian heroes. It is international in scale but has a grassroots focus and will further Defender's rich history of supporting vulnerable habitats, species, and communities.' Esteemed Panel to Adjudicate South African Entries Adding significant local expertise, Defender has announced a prestigious panel to adjudicate entries from South Africa and select local finalists. The panel includes: Ross Holgate: Operations leader and mapping and navigation expert for the Kingsley Holgate Foundation, renowned for using adventure to improve and save lives through malaria prevention, distribution of reading glasses, and providing clean water to vulnerable communities. Operations leader and mapping and navigation expert for the Kingsley Holgate Foundation, renowned for using adventure to improve and save lives through malaria prevention, distribution of reading glasses, and providing clean water to vulnerable communities. Ivy Wairimu: Head of Conservation Partnerships at Tusk, an organisation supporting progressive conservation interventions across Africa, with a 20-year partnership with Defender. Head of Conservation Partnerships at Tusk, an organisation supporting progressive conservation interventions across Africa, with a 20-year partnership with Defender. Bryan Habana: Springbok legend, Defender ambassador, and founder of the Bryan Habana Foundation, which inspires young South Africans and supports social change through sport via the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa. Janico Dannhauser, Brand Manager, Defender, said: 'Defender is renowned for forging enduring relationships with various organisations that exist for the primary goal of advancing the betterment of the world through humanitarian and conservation causes. Through the Defender Awards, and with the support of Ross, Ivy, and Bryan, we will be able to extend our reach to organisations at the cold phase of delivering humanitarian and conservation services.' This initiative builds on Defender's legacy, which traces back to the first Series Land Rovers in 1948 and includes deployments with British Red Cross nurses in Kenya in 1954, and a 20-year collaboration with African conservation charity Tusk. Charlie Mayhew OBE, Founder and President of Tusk, added: 'The new Defender Awards initiative represents a valuable opportunity for smaller organisations to begin their own relationships – and benefit from additional funding and expertise, as well as the 4x4 capability that is associated with Defender.' How to Enter Small-scale charities and non-profit organisations from South Africa are encouraged to submit their entries. Visit: Closing Date for Submissions: 16 June 2025 Following the closing date, national judges, including Holgate, Wairimu, and Habana for South Africa, will select two entries in each of the four awards categories. This will create a 56-strong international shortlist, from which a judging panel of global experts will select the seven overall winners, with at least one winner from each participating country (South Africa, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, and Japan). This is a unique opportunity for South African organisations making a tangible difference on the ground to receive significant backing to amplify their impact.
