BPW International
International Agriculture Award 2026
Celebrating Women Who Cultivate the Future
Competition Terms & Conditions | Application Guidelines
Applications close in
23
Days
23
Hours
43
Minutes
24
Seconds
13 October 2026, 23:59 CEST
About BPW International
Business and Professional Women (BPW) International is one of the oldest and most respected non-governmental organizations representing business and professional women globally. With a presence in over 100 countries and official United Nations consultative status, BPW International advocates for equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal treatment for women in economic and professional life.
The BPW International Steering Committee on Agriculture — operating in partnership with the United Nations — is dedicated to amplifying the voices, contributions, and leadership of women across the food, agriculture, and land management sectors worldwide.
About the Award
2026 is a landmark year for women in agriculture. As the global community deepens its commitment to sustainable food systems, land stewardship, and rural women's empowerment, BPW International launches the BPW International Agriculture Award 2026 — an international recognition programme honouring women producers and processors who are building businesses rooted in nature, tradition, and innovation.
The award recognizes women who demonstrate that responsible agricultural practices and viable, thriving businesses are not only compatible — they are the way forward.
Objectives
- ✓Recognize and elevate the work of women agricultural producers and processors who practice nature-aligned and environmentally responsible methods
- ✓Create an international platform for connecting, networking, and peer learning among outstanding women in sustainable food systems
- ✓Amplify the visibility of women's agricultural leadership at the United Nations and in international policy dialogues
- ✓Inspire a new generation of women to build agricultural businesses in harmony with nature
- ✓Celebrate diversity of practice across continents, climates, and cultural contexts
Eligibility Criteria
Who May Apply
- •Women who are the owner, co-owner, or primary manager of an agricultural or food processing business
- •Individual farmers, family businesses, cooperatives, or social enterprises — provided that the applicant is a woman and leads the enterprise
- •Business must have been operating for a minimum of two (2) years at the time of application
- •Applicants of all ages are welcome — no minimum or maximum age requirement
- •Applicants must reside and operate within one of the five competition zones
- •BPW membership is NOT required to apply
Business Categories
- •Agricultural production (farming, growing, harvesting)
- •Food processing (transformation of raw agricultural products)
- •Both categories can be indicated
Scale of Operation
- •Micro/smallholder
- •Small enterprise
- •Medium enterprise
- •Cooperative / Social enterprise
Nature-Aligned Practices
- •Certified organic production
- •Agroecological or biodynamic farming practices
- •Regenerative agriculture methods that restore soil health and biodiversity
- •Traditional, indigenous, or heritage farming methods
- •Artisan and small-batch production methods
- •Practices that minimize waste, reduce or eliminate synthetic chemical inputs, and protect natural water resources
- •Business models that integrate ecological, social, and economic sustainability
Important: Participation is entirely free of charge. Each applicant may submit only one (1) application per competition cycle.
Competition Zones
Recognizing that agricultural realities, climate conditions, and socio-economic contexts vary profoundly across the globe, the award is structured by continental zones. Each zone will produce one (1) Zone Winner and up to two (2) Honourable Mentions.
Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa
Americas
North America, Latin America, Caribbean
Asia-Pacific
South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Oceania
Europe
All European countries
Middle East & Arab Region
MENA region
Special Award Categories
In addition to the five Zone Winners, the BPW International Agriculture Award 2026 recognizes excellence in four cross-cutting Special Award Categories. These categories are international in scope — open to applicants from all zones. An applicant may be recognized as both a Zone Winner and a Special Category Winner.
Best Innovation Award
Recognizes the most original and forward-thinking innovation in sustainable agriculture. Open to innovations in agricultural technology, production methods, business models, packaging, distribution, value chains, or digital tools — provided the innovation advances ecological sustainability, viability, and women's leadership in the sector.
Best Promotion Award
Honours excellence in storytelling, brand-building, marketing, and advocacy for sustainable agriculture. Recognizes women who effectively communicate the value of nature-aligned practices to consumers, peers, and the wider public — through media engagement, education, events, social media, or community outreach.
Best Production Award
Celebrates outstanding mastery of nature-aligned production. Recognizes exceptional product quality, consistent excellence, the perfection of artisan or heritage methods, or the achievement of significant sustainable production at scale — always with environmental integrity as the foundation.
BPW Member in Agriculture Award
A dedicated recognition for an outstanding BPW member whose work in sustainable agriculture exemplifies the values and mission of BPW International. Open exclusively to applicants who are active members of a BPW club, federation, or national chapter in good standing at the time of application.
Judging Criteria
Applications will be evaluated by an international jury composed of recognised experts in sustainable agriculture, women's entrepreneurship, food systems, and rural development. Jury members will be announced prior to the evaluation phase. All evaluations are conducted independently and blindly to ensure impartiality.
For Special Award Categories, the jury will additionally weight the criterion most relevant to that category — for example, Business Viability & Innovation is given proportionally greater weight when evaluating the Best Innovation Award.
Nature-aligned production practices & environmental impact
Business viability & innovation
Leadership & personal story as a woman in agriculture
Community impact & social value
Vision & future sustainability
Quality & excellence of products or services
Awards & Recognition
🏆 Zone Winners
- • Official BPW International Agriculture Award 2026 trophy and certificate, presented at a physical award ceremony
- • International visibility through BPW International's global communications network (100+ countries)
- • Dedicated feature profile on the BPW International website
- • Invitation to present at an international BPW platform or UN-affiliated event
- • Networking with BPW members, UN representatives, policy makers, and leaders in sustainable agriculture
- • Inclusion in the BPW International Agriculture Award alumni network
⭐ Special Category Winners
- • Official Special Award Category trophy and certificate, presented at the international award ceremony
- • Featured profile in BPW International communications dedicated to the relevant category theme
- • Inclusion in a thematic showcase shared with BPW's international network and partner organizations
- • Networking with experts and partners aligned with the specific category theme
- • Inclusion in the BPW International Agriculture Award alumni network
🌟 Honourable Mentions
- • Certificate of recognition
- • Featured in BPW International's communications
- • Up to 2 per zone and per special category
Applications Around the World
Applications received from 24 countries
Application Process
- 1Complete the Application Form in full, in English.
- 2Indicate your Competition Zone and any Special Award Categories for which you wish to be considered.
- 3Prepare all required supporting documents (business registration, production evidence, photographs).
- 4Submit your completed application via the official BPW International Agriculture Award online portal or by email to the designated address (details to be announced at the time of launch).
- 5Ensure your application is received before the submission deadline — late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Language: Applications must be submitted in English. Supporting materials (photographs, videos, certifications) may be in any language. Where a document is in a language other than English, please include a brief summary or unofficial translation.
Indicative Timeline
The following timeline is indicative and subject to confirmation. Final dates will be communicated via official BPW International channels at the time of the award launch.
Award Launch & Call for Applications
Q3 2026
Application Submission Deadline
October 13, 2026, 23:59 CEST
Jury Evaluation Phase
Q4 2026 – Q1 2027
Finalists Announced
Q1 2027
Award Ceremony
2027 (date TBC)
General Conditions & Data Protection
- ✓Participation is entirely free of charge.
- ✓Applicants may submit only one (1) application per competition cycle, but may indicate one or more Special Award Categories within that single application.
- ✓Submission constitutes consent for BPW International to use provided information, photographs, and materials for communication and promotion purposes.
- ✓All data will be processed in accordance with applicable data protection regulations and used exclusively for the administration and promotion of the Award.
- ✓The Jury's decisions are final and binding. No correspondence will be entered into regarding individual assessments or results.
- ✓BPW International reserves the right to modify the timeline, award structure, or programme details. Any material changes will be communicated in advance.
- ✓BPW International may withdraw an award if information provided in the application is found to be false or materially inaccurate.
Contact the Award Secretariat
For registration, questions, application details, and further information:
Ready to Apply?
Complete the application form to submit your entry to the BPW International Agriculture Award 2026. Participation is entirely free of charge.