The NRGI Changemaker Award

Nominations are now open.

We invite individuals and organizations from around the world to submit nominations for the NRGI Changemaker Award—a landmark recognition for remarkable individuals who have delivered concrete improvements in how natural resources are governed, from policy and institutional change to better outcomes for communities.

About the award

As NRGI marks its 20th anniversary, we are pausing to reflect on the human force behind progress in natural resource governance. Meaningful change is always driven by people: advocates, practitioners and changemakers who have pushed tirelessly for reform, often against considerable odds.

The NRGI Changemaker Award will recognize one such leader: someone whose work has tangibly improved how natural resources are governed, and whose story deserves to be amplified on a global stage.

We are looking for a leader who embodies:

• Impact: Someone who has delivered clear, measurable improvements in natural resource governance, altering the course of reform in their community, country, region or globally, guided by a shared vision of a world where natural resources enable fair, prosperous and sustainable societies.

Outstanding leadership often goes beyond impact alone. Nominations may also highlight:

• Courage: Someone who has stood firm in the face of resistance, pressure, or risk, advancing reform in challenging or high-risk environments.
• Innovation: Someone who has developed or applied new approaches, tools, or models that have moved the needle in resource governance and can inspire others to follow.

The award winner will be recognized and showcased at NRGI's capstone anniversary event in late 2026, where their achievements will be amplified to a global audience of governance leaders, partners and advocates.

Who can be nominated

The award is open globally and welcomes nominees from all backgrounds (civil society, community movements, government, journalism, academia or multi-stakeholder initiatives). Their work should demonstrate clear personal leadership and influence in advancing resource governance reform across mining, oil or gas sectors.

Leaders are encouraged to nominate themselves. Nominations may also be submitted on behalf of others by any individual or organization, provided the nominee has given permission to be nominated.

While preference may be given to leaders working in countries1  where NRGI has engaged over its 20-year history the award is open to leaders worldwide. Eligible work must have been undertaken or achieved since March 2006.

The selection process will actively seek to elevate diverse voices, with particular attention to women leaders, youth, Indigenous leaders and historically under-recognized actors whose contributions have advanced accountable and equitable resource governance.

What the winner receives

The award recipient will receive:

• A Plaque of Honor as a formal recognition of their leadership and achievements
• Travel and accommodation to attend NRGI's anniversary event in late 2026 on the sidelines of a major global gathering (economy class flights and mid-range accommodation).
• The opportunity to deliver a speech to a global audience of governance leaders and partners
• A video interview, shared across NRGI's platform
• The opportunity to author a blog or thought piece post-event

How to nominate

Nominations are open to the public and can be submitted through the online form below, or by downloading, completing the nomination form and sending it to the email address below.

Nomination deadline: 15 June 2026

• Submit a nomination online
• Download the nomination form and submit to [email protected]

If you experience any accessibility barriers in completing this form, we are happy to accommodate alternative submission formats (such as video). Please contact us at [email protected]

Key dates

Milestone	Dates
Nominations open	1 April 2026
Nominations close	15 June 2026
Selection process	June – July 2026
Awardee notification	August 2026
Anniversary event	Late 2026