Special Prize 2009 (30 000 €)
With its Special Prize, the Jury wanted to reward the originality and perseverance of the Barefoot College, founded in 1972 by Mr Sanjit Bunker Roy in Rajasthan (India).
Based on traditional knowledge and practical local experience, the Barefoot College trains villagers, particularly the poorest, illiterate and women, in practical trades in domains as water, energy, or health. Rested on improving local knowledge and capacity-building this approach has been implemented throughout all India, but also in Afghanistan and in several African countries.
With this Prize, the Barefoot College plans to establish five solar powered reverse osmosis plants for drinking water in five villages in the Sambhar lake area, which is the largest inland salt lake in Rajasthan.
Watch the video on the Special Prize project.
Visit the website of the Barefoot College.
