Profiles of all 20 projects showcased as part of the 2025 UIAA Mountain Protection Award, partnered by Lenovo, have now been published on the UIAA website.
As of 2025, the MPA functions on a two-year cycle with one year being an adjudication and award year; with the alternate year having a focus on community building and associated knowledge sharing.
In terms of the 2025 award year, the UIAA Mountain Protection Commission has shortlisted the following projects for the two main prizes, Overall Winner and Best New Initiative:
Shortlisted projects running for Overall Winner
- Gear Tips Empowerment Programby Gear Tips Outdoor
- Flagship Shelters for the Environment by FFCAM
- Change Your Approach by Mountain Wilderness France
- Alpine Connectionsby the Kilian Jornet Foundation
- Guardians of the Valley by Asociación 7a Escalada
Shortlisted projects running for Best New Initiative
- Transhumant Trails: Arriero Heritage Mapping by Madrugada NGO’s
- Clean Ovoo by the UB Hiking Club
- Walking the Tra Tra by the Mountain Club of South Africa
The two prize winners will be confirmed at the 2025 UIAA General Assembly in Peja, Kosovo held on Saturday 25 October. The official award ceremony will take place in 2026, specifically at the Alpine Museum in Bern, Switzerland held 23-24 October and jointly to the ceremony of the Albert Mountain Awards.
“On behalf of the Mountain Protection Award working group, it is a privilege to reveal the shortlists for both Overall Winner and Best New Initiative for 2025. Each of these projects epitomise the value and intent of the MPA: to showcase global projects that, through mountain sports, raise awareness and contribute positively to sustainability and climate change. A team of 20 assessors from around the world have carefully considered the submissions and it is the projects that scored the highest that are now highlighted through the shortlist. Thank you to both the applicants for their ongoing work and to the assessors for their rigorous assessment. We look forward to announcing which of these shortlisted projects will win the two prizes.”
Jeannette McGill, UIAA MPA Working Group Chair
Further Information
UIAA MPA
UIAA MPA 2025 Showcase
Supporting Partner
