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An environmental leader supported by a Mott-funded regranting program has received the distinguished Goldman Environmental Prize, an international prize for grassroots environmentalists. The Goldman Prize is awarded each year by the Goldman Environmental Foundation to six “environmental heroes,” each representing one of six regions across the globe.

Stephanie Roth

Stephanie Roth, who works closely with Albernus Maior, a grantee of the Global Greengrants Fund, was awarded the 2005 European Goldman Prize for her work leading a local grassroots effort to oppose a destructive mining project in Rosia Montana, Romania. The project would destroy nearly 1,500 acres of land and cause pollution damage to the nearby Aries River, threatening the water supply for residents of the region. Roth organized local protests against the project, formed a coalition of national groups and experts, and networked with non-governmental organizations regionally and internationally to advocate successfully against International Finance Corporation support for the mine.  

The Mott Foundation has given $1 million since 2002 for the small grants program of the Global Greengrants Fund, which provided support for Roth and her work with Albernus Maior and for other local environmental projects. Lois DeBacker, associate vice president for the Foundation’s Environment and Civil Society programs, said the prize highlights the importance of programs that provide grants at the grassroots level.

“Real change occurs, and the best results are achieved, when citizens are involved in the decisions that impact their environment,” DeBacker said. “Mott is extremely pleased that Stephanie Roth and the work of Albernus Maior have been recognized with this prize.”

Additional Resources

• Click here for more information about the Goldman Environmental Prize and profiles of this year’s winners.
• Click here to visit the Web site of Global Greengrants Fund.
• Click here to access information about Alburnus Maior’s efforts to prevent the mining project in the region.
• Click here to access a feature about Rosia Montana in the June 2003 issue of our magazine, Mott Mosaic.