Defender, the British Brand synonymous with adventure, unveils the shortlist for the first edition of the Defender Awards. The international initiative, launched last April, was created to recognize and award heroes of conservation and humanitarian efforts, active locally in four categories, in seven countries: the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, Australia, Japan and South Africa.
Projects from within the shortlists that emerge victorious in the final selection, which will be announced later this year, will receive a Defender 4×4 to support their activities for two years, along with a 120,000 euro fund payable over two years and training support by experienced professionals.
The shortlist of 56 finalists-including 8 Italians-ranges from wildlife conservation to cancer prevention programs for remote communities in Australia, and among them are us at Salviamo L’Orso with the Bear Smart Landscape project.
Deciding the winners will be an international panel of experts led by Mark Cameron, Managing Director of Defender, and conservation biologist Dr. Moreangels Mbizah, founder of Wildlife Conservation Action.