Plastic waste is transformed into construction grade aggregate, reducing extraction pressure on natural systems while providing income to community collectors and educating visitors through factory tours. The judges praised the circular model for turning a major environmental threat into long term infrastructure value while strengthening community livelihoods.

RuralRevive’s “Building a Desert Based Economy Initiative” is conceptualised and driven by the Wolwedans Foundation. It is transforming the tourism economy around Maltahöhe through climate appropriate horticulture, local enterprise development and systems that reconnect tourism with community livelihoods. The judges recognised RuralRevive for addressing deep rooted structural challenges by rebuilding local food systems, restoring dignity through work and creating a resilient desert based economy.

A community conservancy model has generated more than 1.5 million dollars for 6,605 landowners, conserved more than 414,000 hectares and embedded regenerative food systems and women’s economic empowerment across 13 camps. The judges commended Saruni Basecamp for demonstrating how long term lease agreements and bed night fees can secure large and connected landscapes for wildlife, while strengthening local livelihoods.

Local procurement has increased from 29 percent in 2017 to 89 percent today, supporting more than 150 small businesses and providing mentorship and certification support to 67 SMMEs. The judges highlighted TMACC’s commitment to developing suppliers beyond the Cableway itself, helping entrepreneurs strengthen operations and access wider tourism markets.

A fast growing network of heritage homestays enables visitors to become part of village life while ensuring most fee income stays within communities, with expansion now reaching Eswatini and Botswana. The judges noted the remarkable year on year growth, with more than R6 million generated and 70–80 percent of income remaining in host communities, demonstrating a scalable model of cultural preservation and community empowerment.

Since 2023, 315 young people have been placed into employment, with 90 percent securing full time jobs for the first time and 15 small businesses supported through the Watershed craft market. The Academy’s model addresses a critical gap by supporting both young workers and the businesses that hire them during the fragile first six months of employment.

Human elephant conflict incidents have fallen from 92 in 2023 to just 12 so far in 2026, with no elephants shot as problem animals in 2025, across more than 2 million hectares.

A zero impact access system protects critically endangered species such as the Graskop cliff aloe while sourcing most procurement within 100 kilometres.

The Colourful Cultures programme supports artists, artisans and community hosts through training in hospitality, storytelling and entrepreneurship, connecting them to tourism markets through hotel, tour operator and online partnerships.

Long term coexistence work includes water management, anti poaching deterrence and the successful reintroduction of white rhinos.

Local suppliers are embedded into the resort’s value chain, generating consistent income for fishers, farmers, transport providers and women’s cooperatives.

A structured internship programme has shifted staff representation from an all male team in 2015 to nearly one third women today, including a female Assistant Manager and equal gender representation among interns.

The programme supports more than 180 young entrepreneurs across Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, strengthens local value chains and creates jobs through locally led tourism businesses.

Inclusive, community rooted food tours take guests into neighbourhood kitchens and markets, supporting small vendors and welcoming travellers with disabilities while showcasing diverse African and diaspora food cultures.

A grassroots model integrating smallholder farming, cultural heritage and tourism ensures revenue stays in rural communities historically excluded from tourism value chains.

Recognised for strengthening representation by ensuring guides reflect South Africa’s cultural, linguistic and socio economic diversity.

Mukuni Organic Farm and hydrological restoration using cascading check dams demonstrate a regenerative approach to restoring degraded land.

Mukuni Organic Farm and hydrological restoration using cascading check dams demonstrate a regenerative approach to restoring degraded land.

A Female Guides of the Future initiative supports women to access high level guiding roles through training, mentorship and career pathways in partnership with the Wilderness Trust.

A tour company offering an automated split payment model channels 2.5 per cent of every booking directly to conservation or community causes at no extra cost to guests.

Strengthens regenerative food systems, supports local farmers and links sustainable agriculture with tourism markets. One of nine projects worldwide.

More than 1.2 million endangered turtle hatchlings have been protected since 2017 by TUI with local partner Project Biodiversity.