In a world often shaken by conflict, climate disaster, and the erosion of democratic values, a group of remarkable individuals and organizations has been recognized for their unwavering commitment to justice, resilience, and collective action. On October 1, 2025, the Stockholm-based Right Livelihood Foundation announced the recipients of its annual award, shining a spotlight on activists and changemakers from Sudan, Myanmar, the Pacific Islands, and Taiwan.
The Right Livelihood Award, sometimes dubbed the "Alternative Nobel Prize," was created in 1980 by Swedish-German philanthropist Jakob von Uexkull. Its purpose? To honor efforts that, in the founder's view, were being overlooked by the more famous Nobel Prizes. Over the years, the award has celebrated courageous work in human rights, environmental protection, and social innovation, with previous laureates including Ukrainian human rights defender Oleksandra Matviichuk, Congolese surgeon Denis Mukwege, and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Notably, both Matviichuk and Mukwege went on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
This year, the foundation considered 159 nominees from 67 countries, ultimately selecting four recipients whose work resonates with urgency and hope. As Ole von Uexkull, the organization's executive director and nephew of the prize's founder, put it, "At a time when violence, polarization and climate disasters are tearing communities apart, the 2025 Right Livelihood Laureates remind us that joining hands in collective action is humanity’s most powerful response." He added, "Their courage and vision create a tapestry of hope and show that a more just and livable future is possible."
Each of the 2025 laureates has confronted daunting challenges in their own regions. The Emergency Response Rooms (ERR) network in Sudan, a community-led initiative, was recognized "for building a resilient model of mutual aid amid war and state collapse that sustains millions of people with dignity." As Sudan grapples with ongoing conflict, mass displacement, and the breakdown of state institutions, ERR has become the backbone of the country's humanitarian response. According to the foundation, the network provides critical health care, food assistance, and education—often reaching areas where international aid organizations cannot operate.
Meanwhile, the youth-led Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change, along with activist Julian Aguon, were awarded "for carrying the call for climate justice to the world’s highest court, turning survival into a matter of rights and climate action into a legal responsibility." Their advocacy has brought the existential threat of climate change facing Pacific Island nations to the global stage, pushing for legal recognition of climate justice at the International Court of Justice. The foundation lauded their achievement, noting that they have transformed the fight for survival into a campaign for legal rights and obligations—no small feat for young activists from some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
In Myanmar, where military rule and political violence have devastated the population, the group Justice for Myanmar received the award "for their courage and their pioneering investigative methods in exposing and eroding the international support to Myanmar’s corrupt military." This covert group of activists has worked tirelessly to reveal the financial networks and global corporate complicity that sustain Myanmar’s military regime. The Right Livelihood Foundation praised their "pioneering investigative methods," which have not only exposed wrongdoing but also undermined the military's ability to operate with impunity on the world stage.
Taiwan’s Audrey Tang, a self-described "civic hacker and technologist," was honored "for advancing the social use of digital technology to empower citizens, renew democracy and heal divides." Tang’s work has focused on using digital tools to foster civic participation, transparency, and democratic renewal in Taiwan—a country often targeted by threats and disinformation campaigns. The foundation described Tang as someone who "rewires systems for the public good," highlighting the transformative potential of technology when harnessed for inclusive, democratic aims.
The significance of the Right Livelihood Award extends beyond the individual achievements of its recipients. As authoritarianism and division rise globally, the foundation stated, "the 2025 Right Livelihood Laureates are charting a different course: one rooted in collective action, resilience and democracy to create a livable future for all." This message resonates deeply at a time when the international community faces crises on multiple fronts—be it war, environmental catastrophe, or the erosion of democratic norms.
The award ceremony for the 2025 laureates will take place on December 2 in Stockholm, just one week before the Nobel Prizes are handed out. While the size of the prize money has not been announced, the recognition itself carries significant weight, elevating the recipients' causes and amplifying their impact on the world stage.
For the Sudanese Emergency Response Rooms, the award is a testament to the power of grassroots action in the face of overwhelming adversity. In a country where state structures have collapsed and international aid is often stymied by conflict, ERR has managed to sustain millions of people with dignity, providing a model of mutual aid that could inspire similar efforts elsewhere.
The Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change and Julian Aguon have shown how a small group of determined individuals can shift the global conversation on climate justice, making the survival of island nations a matter of legal rights rather than mere charity. Their work underscores the importance of youth leadership and international legal advocacy in the fight against climate change.
Justice for Myanmar’s recognition highlights the vital role of investigative activism in holding powerful actors to account. By exposing the financial underpinnings of Myanmar’s military regime, they have not only informed the world but also taken concrete steps to erode the regime’s power. Their courage, operating under constant threat, is a reminder of the risks faced by those who challenge entrenched interests.
Audrey Tang’s award, meanwhile, points to the promise of digital innovation in strengthening democracy. In an era when technology is often associated with surveillance and manipulation, Tang’s work offers a hopeful counter-narrative—one in which digital tools empower citizens, foster dialogue, and bridge societal divides.
The Right Livelihood Award, now in its 45th year, continues to serve as a beacon for those working towards a more just, sustainable, and democratic world. As the 2025 laureates prepare to receive their honors in Stockholm, their stories offer inspiration—and a challenge—to all who believe in the possibility of positive change, even in the most difficult circumstances.
