The statuette "Crystal Compass". Photo: the official website of the award
More than 600 unique projects and modern achievements from 17 countries have been nominated for the National Crystal Compass Award in 2025. Representatives of Russia, Japan, Italy, Spain, China, India, Nepal, Thailand, Ethiopia, Serbia, and South Africa, as well as participants from Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Belarus are competing for the main geographical award. The award ceremony will take place in May at the Moscow International House of Music.
The most popular categories in 2025 are «Education» (135), «Best Socio-informational Project for the Preservation of Natural, Historical, and Cultural Heritage» (95), «Photography» (93) and «Best Mass Media Project, Media Project» (83). Among the most active regions are Moscow and the Moscow Region, the Kemerovo Region, the Krasnodar Territory, St. Petersburg, and the Rostov Region.
«The National Crystal Compass Award recognizes outstanding achievements and unique projects that are being implemented in the field of geography, preservation of natural, historical and cultural heritage. Its winners are the true heroes of our time. They are an example and a source of inspiration for contemporaries all over the world,» said Vladimir Kotlyakov, Chairman of the award’s Expert Council, Honorary President of the Russian Geographical Society, and Academician.
Academician Vladimir Kotlyakov. Photo: Anna Yurgenson / RGS press service
The winners in the categories «Scientific Achievement», «Journey and Expedition», «Education», «Best Mass Media Project, Media Project», «Photography», «Civic Participation», «Publication», «Best Regional Project», «Best Socio-informational Project for the Preservation of Natural, Historical, and Cultural Heritage», «Best Environmental Project of Industrial Enterprises, Businesses» will be determined by the expert council of the national award. It includes outstanding scientists, public figures and statesmen, laureates of the Nobel Prize and state prizes of the USSR and Russia, famous TV presenters and recognized experts: Vladimir Kotlyakov, Viktor Savinykh, Sergey Krikalev, Nikolai Drozdov, Aleksandr Chibilev, Zurab Tsereteli, Olga Solomina, Valery Tishkov, Ivan Zatevakhin, Vyacheslav Rozhnov, Aleksandr Gelfan, Aleksey Sokov, and others. The winner in the «Public Recognition» category will be determined by the results of the popular vote. It starts on the official website of the award on April 1.
«The geography of the participants of the Crystal Compass Award is impressive. Every year, representatives of new countries are added to the community of authors of significant and large-scale works and outstanding achievements of our time. This year, these are Pakistan, Thailand, and Ethiopia,» said Ivan Chaika, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the National Crystal Compass Award.
The prestigious International Crystal Compass Award is awarded annually to the authors of outstanding achievements and unique projects in the field of geography, ecology, preservation of natural, historical, and cultural heritage. The award has been held under the auspices of the Russian Geographical Society since November 2012. During this time, it has become one of the highest forms of public recognition.