Oleksandra Matviichuk and her organisation the Center for Civil Liberties were honoured for their work defending human rights, strengthening democracy and pursuing accountability for war crimes. (Credit: Right Livelihood)

A Ukrainian human rights defender and two Somali peace activists have been named the winners of the 2022 Right Livelihood Award alongside a Ugandan environmental organisation and a Venezuelan cooperative network.

The four laureates announced on Thursday were honoured for their work as “grassroots actors dedicated to strengthening their communities”, said Ole von Uexkull, executive director at the Right Livelihood Foundation.

Oleksandra Matviichuk became the first Ukrainian to receive the prestigious award, which recognised her work defending human rights in the country, including documenting war crimes during Russia’s aggression.

Mother and daughter Fartuun Adan and Ilwad Elman were also honoured for promoting peace and defending human rights in Somalia through their organisation Elman Peace, which focuses on community-based peacebuilding and demilitarisation initiatives.

The Africa Institute For Energy Governance (AFIEGO), an environmental organisation from Uganda, was also awarded for its efforts to protect the rights of local communities from environmentally damaging projects linked to the exploitation of oil and gas, alongside Cecosesola, a network of community organisations from low-income areas that provides affordable goods and services to more than 100,000 families across Venezuela.

Read the full story on Geneva Solutions.

An illustration by artist Jean-Philippe Kalonji.

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