Launched in 1976 on the 50th anniversary of Rolex‘s Oyster waterproof wristwatch, the Rolex Awards For Enterprise has been supporting innovators in developing projects that increase understanding and protection of the natural world. The biennial programme now counts 160 laureates among its alumni, and joining their illustrious ranks this year are the five laureates of the 2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise. Read on to learn about the different ways they are impacting their environment and communities.
Denica Riadini-Flesch
A social entrepreneur, Riadini-Flesch founded the B corp-certified SukkhaCitta as a regenerative clothing supply solution that employs rural craftswomen and brings together the twin goals of women’s empowerment and preserving traditional Indonesian textile culture.
Beth Koigi
Koigi is the force behind Majik Water, which distributes solar-powered generators that draw water from air to water-scarce communities in Kenya. The enterprise has supplied more than 200,000 litres of affordable clean water every month since it was launched in 2017.
Constantino Aucca Chutas
The biologist founded the Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos and cofounded Acción Andina to restore and protect forest ecosystems in the Andes, and together the organisations have planted 4.5 million trees and created 16 protected forested in countries surrounding the South American mountain range, particularly in Peru.
Inza Koné
A trained primatologist, Koné works to protect endangered fauna in Côte d’Ivoire while addressing poverty among local communities, and in 2021, his work led to the Tanoé-Ehy Forest being designated a community-managed natural reserve.
Liu Shaochuang
An expert in remote sensing, Liu had previously been part of the development of China’s Lunar and Mars rovers projects, but he extended his skills to studying the habitats of wild camel herds in the Gobi Desert and tracking them via satellite, with the eventual goal of creating two conservation reserves for endemic wild camels.
See the Rolex Awards For Enterprise 2023 laureates in action here: