The Earth Champions Foundation were honoured to have Nelson Mandela give the first award in September 2000 in Australia. Since then the Foundation have conducted five major programmes in the UK, Australia, Switzerland and China and have recognised and accredited hundreds of “Earth Champions” by locating practical examples of excellence and best performances in nine categories, from individuals, organisations, corporations and governments. The Foundation partnered with UNEP in 2005 when they launched their Champions of the Earth based on the Earth Champions model. Through proven programmes, these ‘Earth Champions’ are nominated by their communities and then interviewed and accredited by the Foundation, local experts and a panel of international evaluators. Including representatives from UNEP and WIPO. Solutions are deep within communities everywhere but they will not be discovered unless there is an active, proven process, to bring them to light. The Earth Champions Foundation seeks to inspire people, especially the young, to understand that there is hope for the future, that they too can make a difference. The Earth Champions initiative is based on the principle that both small and significant solutions to many environmental problems can be found within communities, by individuals, organisations and government. It is these very people who are best equipped to inspire, lead and teach others. Earth Champions, Local Heroes, Global Impact.