The OceanFarming team has been honored with the SGP Best Innovator Award for Women-Led Grassroots Climate Action at the prestigious World Sustainable Development Summit 2026, marking a proud and defining moment for the initiative.
The 2026 edition of the Summit was especially significant, celebrating the Silver Jubilee (25th Edition) of the globally recognized platform. Held from 25–27 February 2026 at the iconic Taj Palace, the milestone event unfolded under the umbrella theme:
“परिवर्तन | Transformations: Vision, Voices, and Values for Sustainable Development.”
Bringing together global leaders, policymakers, researchers, grassroots innovators, and sustainability champions, the Summit continues to serve as a powerful space for dialogue and action toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
The SGP Best Innovator Award acknowledges the OceanFarming team’s unwavering commitment to empowering women through climate-resilient livelihoods. The recognition celebrates:
Consistent on-ground engagement with coastal communities
Women-led grassroots climate solutions
Sustainable ocean-based livelihood innovation
Long-term perseverance in implementation and scaling
Beyond fieldwork, the award also reflects the immense effort invested in networking, coordination, documentation, and compliance processes necessary to sustain and expand such a transformative initiative.
This milestone is the result of collective dedication and shared vision. Heartfelt gratitude is extended to:
Our funders and institutional supporters
Staff, faculty, and students working tirelessly — both on the frontlines and behind the scenes
Our dedicated Director, Dr. Bhavani Rao, for her leadership and guidance
And above all, our guiding light in all that we do, Amma, whose inspiration continues to shape our mission and impact
As the World Sustainable Development Summit marked 25 years of advancing global sustainability dialogue, this recognition reinforces the growing importance of women-led grassroots innovation in addressing climate challenges.
The OceanFarming team’s achievement stands as a testament to perseverance, purpose-driven action, and the transformative power of community-centered development.
