The South Moravia Regional Office has announced the launch of the South Moravian Landscape Prize (“Cena za krajinu”) for innovative projects that have a positive impact on water retention and adapting the landscape to climate change. The second year of the contest is being held in collaboration with the Partnership Foundation.

The competition aims to motivate people to take care of the environment and show that the regional government supports and acknowledges their efforts. Anyone can apply, including individuals, municipalities, farmers, private companies, and non-profit organisations. The application period will last until the end of April, and applicants can register through the electronic form on the website www.cenazakrajinu.cz.

Projects will fall into two categories: complex projects and individual measures. The former involves sets of complex measures aimed at retaining water in the landscape, not only in the floodplain valley but also extending into the entire basin. The winner will receive CZK 100,000. The latter category includes separate isolated measures or sub-measures from a more complex set. The winner will receive CZK 50,000, while the second and third prizes are CZK 20,000 and CZK 10,000, respectively.

In addition to the two categories, there will also be a Public Award, which will be decided by an online vote. The jury, formed by representatives of the South Moravian Region, the Partnership Foundation, Mendel University, and the Czech Nature and Landscape Protection Agency, will select 20 finalists for this category. The winner of the Public Award will receive CZK 50,000.

Regional Deputy Governor Lukáš Dubec emphasized the importance of initiatives that bring life back to the landscape. Dubec noted that the region’s landscape is far from what it was centuries ago, describing it as unhealthy, weak, and destroyed by excessive chemicalization and intensive agriculture. The Landscape Prize aims to make these activities more visible and to show how important they are.

The South Moravian Region will also collaborate with the Partnership Foundation to award a regional prize for the best project in a built-up area within the region as part of the 5th edition of the national Adapterra awards.

Last year’s Prize received 43 project submissions, a clear signal that many people in the region take care of nature around them. South Moravian Governor Jan Grolich expressed his enthusiasm for this year’s contest, stating that he hopes to see even more innovative and impactful projects.

In conclusion, the South Moravian Landscape Prize is an excellent opportunity for individuals, municipalities, farmers, private companies, and non-profit organizations to showcase their innovative and environmentally conscious projects while contributing to the betterment of the landscape and adapting to climate change.

Article by Prague Forum